Jose Medina: February 2017 Employee of the Month
In late 2014, when two custodians at Parker Elementary were unable to work because of illness and a broken hand, Plant Operator Jose Medina stepped up to the plate.
The 23-year HISD veteran worked 14 hour days – most of which was on his own time – in order to ensure the school was safe, clean, and operating properly.
“Yeah, it can be kind of hard,” Medina said. “I have to stay because (the school needs me). I knew it was going to be tough, but thank God, I got everything done. I thank God that he gives me the energy to work those long days.”
His selfless and tireless work ethic earned him the February 2017 Employee of the Month.
Medina has spent the past 11 years at Parker Elementary, and worked at Kolter Elementary for 12 years prior to that. With his dedication to both campuses, it’s easy to see why he has worked his way up to a plant operator from a custodial position.
“I like (working at Parker) because we have a good staff, and a good principal,” he said. “Everyone is nice. We appreciate when (the campus staff does) things for us, and they appreciate the work we do for them.”
It’s that spirit of teamwork that makes Medina go above & beyond for his campus and its students.
“Lots of children, they know me here,” he said. “They’re sweet kids. Good parents, too. They say, ‘Hi, Mr. Medina.’ We have a pretty good team, so we work together to get the job done.”