Christy Cress has known and loved Woodford County for her entire life. She not only graduated from Woodford County High School but has been working for the school for 23 years. Mrs. Cress smiles and says, “Now I have my classmates’ kids [in school].” Christy has always loved children and worked with kids at a daycare during her own high school years. When a library assistant position became available at WCHS, she decided to try working with an older age group and has truly loved it.
Christy thoroughly enjoyed working in the library but has recently stepped into a new role at the high school. She now serves as the Employment Transition Specialist, a position that she helped develop along with Tracey Francis, Director of Special Education for the district. In her new role, Christy works to prepare students for a smooth transition into their plans for after high school. She helps with college and job applications, scholarship applications, interview skills, driver’s tests, goal setting, and more. Mrs. Cress coaches students as they take their first steps into adulthood.
To further explain Christy’s role and the influence she has on students, Allison Culbertson, Special Education Department Chair at WCHS, explains, “Christy is making a phenomenal impact, not only on our students but on our community. She takes each student's individual needs and partners with community members in order to prepare students for life after high school. Her passion for students and strong community relationships make her the perfect person for this position”
Mona Romine, Librarian at WCHS, says the following about Christy: “When I became the librarian, I found Christy to be a master at her job as a library assistant, knowing all of the ins and outs; she also mastered much of mine. She has a servant's heart, making cupcakes for students who wouldn't have a birthday celebration and now assisting students in getting their driver's permit, a job, or a post secondary placement to learn a skill or trade. Christy is the person in our school who is filling the gap for those students who need something beyond our normal school offering. She is getting students into programs and jobs that will give them a positive way forward and a hopeful future. She amazes me, and I'm happy to call her a colleague and friend.”
When asked about the most rewarding parts of her job, Mrs. Cress exemplifies Mrs. Romine’s sentiments by recounting several instances of her students making great strides into their futures. Whether it be a student receiving an acceptance letter to the college they deemed out of their reach or a student impressing a room full of interviewers with “the best interview they had ever had,” Christy finds so much joy in seeing her students succeed. It is for her dedication to her students and passion to see them reach their highest potential that Christy is the recipient of the 2018-2019 Woodford Outstanding Service Award (WOSA) for WCHS.
The WOSA brought with it much emotion for Christy. She remarks, “I didn’t take this job to be awarded for my work and dedication to my students; my reward comes from knowing that I was a bridge to their future and their success, but I am honored to know that my colleagues feel that I deserve this award.”
One of Christy’s students, Cruz, says, “It helps me a lot to come here to talk to Mrs. Cress. She calms me down, and we talk through what’s bothering me. I learn how to deal with it in a better way. Mrs. Cress knows me.” Woodford County Public Schools believes in the power of positive relationships with students; it is evident that Mrs. Cress strives to cultivate relationships with each of her students. She says, “We are a community in and out of the school walls.”
Christy continues to create a positive and powerful impact on students. Tracey Francis says, “She is an intricate member of our high school team.” We are so grateful to have Christy’s selflessness, drive, and care in our district.
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