For Patricia O’Nan, Cafeteria Manager at Woodford County Middle School, each day holds the opportunity to serve children and provide for their needs alongside a group of coworkers whom she regards more like family. Mrs. O’Nan’s diligence in completing the task at hand and her positive outlook on work allow her to maintain a focus on teamwork, positive relationships, and helpfulness to others. Due to her keen ability to create a work environment in which people feel valued, her dedication to being a servant leader, and her valiant efforts in adjusting food service amidst a global pandemic, Woodford County Middle School named Patricia O’Nan the recipient of the 2019-2020 Woodford Outstanding Service Award.
Mrs. O’Nan has been a member of Team Woodford since February 1999 when she was hired as a part-time dishwasher in the kitchen at WCMS. She later transitioned into a full-time cook and has now been the cafeteria manager for nearly a decade. Working with middle school-aged students has allowed Patricia to develop a deeper understanding and appreciation for this age group. She says, “Middle school kids are a little different than other ages. This is where they typically find themselves. This is where they grow from being an elementary student, which is right at sixth grade, to more of a high school student when they are ready to leave at the end of eighth grade. We see them grow not only in stature, but they really grow a lot here and change in personality here.” Patricia’s role allows her to be a consistent figure in students' lives as they are becoming more of themselves and gaining a sense of independence. The food service staff and students see each other nearly every day for three years; the women who work in the cafeteria are well aware of the positive influence they can have on students throughout their middle school experience.
Likewise, Patricia is very cognizant of the impact she has on her team. Her careful efforts to create a positive, caring work environment are appreciated by her staff. Ashley Walton, Assistant Cafeteria Manager, says, “Patricia has always been a wonderful leader. She maintains a well run, organized kitchen with an emphasis on ensuring all children have good quality food each day, and she does so with a smile. She is consistently communicating with school staff on ways to continuously provide proper nutrition to all of the children. She wants each child to feel like walking into the cafe is a safe and caring space.” Ashley adds, “Patricia's entire staff is treated more like family rather than just employees.”
It is very important to Patricia that her team knows that they, as people, are integral to the work that is being done at WCMS. She is passionate about the fact that in Woodford County Public Schools, you are so much more than just an employee; you are a person who matters to the entire school community. Patricia believes that Woodford’s size is a contributing factor to the sense of belonging stakeholders feel to WCPS.
In March of 2020, along with the rest of the world, Patricia experienced the biggest obstacle yet in her career. She, Courtney Quire, WCPS Food Service Director, and the other cafeteria managers in the district had to work quickly and efficiently to determine how WCPS would ensure that children would be fed during the pandemic. It goes without saying that many students in the district and across the country rely greatly on their school to provide nourishing meals. Time was of the essence.
The WCPS Food Service team got to work and followed a plan to ensure that the children in Woodford County, who needed food, would be able to obtain it. As new guidance about slowing the spread of COVID-19 was released almost weekly, the food service team modified their distribution techniques. Thankfully, Patricia’s years of experience in food service prepared her to adapt quickly. It is important to note that when people all around the world were sheltering in place (as this was the correct action in order to slow the spread of the virus), the food service team bravely came into work to prepare meals for children. The district is so grateful that the team’s willingness to serve did not waiver even during a global pandemic.
Patricia continues to lovingly serve children and to work to the best of her ability for God and for others. She has successfully created a strong team and a positive work environment for that team to enjoy. Liz Kirk, Interim Principal of Woodford County Middle School, says, “Mrs. O'Nan always shows up and works hard every single day. She never complains but rather finds joy in her work, blessing students and families with meals. She truly is one of our heroes at WCMS.”
When reflecting on receiving the Woodford Outstanding Service Award, Patricia says
the following:
No one does anything alone. Everyone has someone else who supports them and backs them up. I have my ladies. I wouldn’t be able to do anything or accomplish any of my goals if I didn’t have them doing everything that they do to support me and to complete their jobs, as well. That’s the thing about awards; this should be for all of us because we work as a team. We’re a family. We work together. I’ve always told my ladies that you don’t work for me, you work with me. That’s what I want people to see; we are a group, and we work together. I couldn’t do it without them!
Her humility is remarkable.
Congratulations on receiving the Woodford Outstanding Service Award, Patricia!
