Shelia Figgs: March 2015 Employee of the Month
Shelia Figgs, Employee of the Month for March, is the secretary at King Early Childhood Center, a position she has held since the school opened 11 years ago. She joined Team HISD about 20 years ago as a substitute in the Human Resources department, but has also served as an HR specialist and the secretary of the reading department in the Office of Curriculum.
“I came here by chance,” said Figgs of her long tenure at HISD. “Jobs weren’t very plentiful in my home town, but my friend had a relative here and said she was thinking about going. She asked me if I wanted to come along, and I said, ‘Sure!’ I’ve been here ever since. I never thought I would like it this much, but here I am, 20 years later.”
As the school secretary, Figgs schedules meetings, orders supplies, greets visitors, answers the phone, handles correspondence, monitors activity funds and budgets, maintains confidential files for the principal, and prepares the campus payroll every other week. She also works with associate teachers, serves as a member of the Shared Decision Making Committee, and performs many other tasks designed to keep the school running smoothly, such as coordinating campus events.
Figgs is a native of Donaldsonville, Louisiana. She moved to Texas in the early 1990s and now lives in Houston with one of her two adult children, both of whom graduated from Lamar High School. When not working, Figgs enjoys traveling, window shopping, and going to the movies.
“Ms. Figgs is the foundation that holds our faculty and staff together,” said Principal Gabrielle Coleman. “I could not ask for a better secretary. She is understanding, proactive, and a great listener, which all principals need at times. However, she is also firm, task-oriented, and always willing to go the extra mile for students and staff. She is true asset to our community.”
“Ms. Figgs is the kind of behind-the-scenes dynamo who does it all,” added Ernestine Mayes, the school nurse. “She not only manages the payroll, but whenever there is a special event, she gets in her own car, picks up whatever special supplies are needed, and then does the decorations herself. She has also been known to attend Shared Decision Making Committee meetings even though her own term expired, and she takes notes and follows up as necessary. The principal refers to her as ‘my rock.’”
“Ms. Figgs turns shaky days into steady ones,” explained Instructional Specialist Constance Lathan. “Her smile and easy way make coworkers, students, and visitors feel welcome. Some days you might not hear a peep from her as she quietly handles the business of the day. Caring, diplomatic, and kind are the words that describe this quiet force. She inspires us all to do our best.”