Corbin BOE names October and November Difference Makers

The Corbin Board of Education recognized two ‘Difference Makers’ at its Nov. 11 meeting.

October’s Difference Maker was Heather McVey.

McVey has been a speech language pathologist for 22 years.

“I know many, many students through the years that you have helped and helped them then reach their full potential,” said Board Chair Kim Croley.

Mcvey was recognized for her project

“This summer, as an educator I always take time to reflect on how I did the year before, what I need to do better, what my strengths were and what my weaknesses were, and so in the midst of that, we all came out of a very hard educational season,” said McVey. “I wasn’t too excited about coming in to this school year – I will be quite honest.”

After wrestling with what she felt was her purpose and how she would gain excitement for the upcoming year, McVey said God gave her the concept of Brew. Brew came from Hebrews 10:24 (NIV), “And let us consider how we may spur one another on toward love and good deeds.”

Brew is a program to encourage and uplift others.

“Not only was I serving out of an empty cup, but others around me were serving out of an empty cup,” said McVey. “We had just walked through a very difficult season.”

In September, McVey approached Corbin Middle School’s Principal Christi Lefevers and asked if she could do a program before school for teachers.

On Mondays, they have coffee, a sweet treat, and share words of encouragement before school.

“What I have seen since September when we started Brew is that we are no longer serving from empty cups,” said McVey. “Our cups are being filled by encouraging one another and that starts to trickle out onto our students, into the lives of our families, and so school culture really is beginning to shift.”

November’s Difference Maker is Brooke Stansbury.

Stansbury works at the Corbin School of Innovation in the Montessori program.

“The Montessori program has taken off and it can only get bigger,” said Croley. “In the Montessori method, we follow the child.”

“Of course, thank you very, very much,” said Stansbury.

Stansbury told the board that she is proud to work for a school and district that puts the needs of students first.

“We do follow the needs of the child,” said Stansbury. “I think we can probably speak for everyone in this district that it is about social and emotional needs.”

She was recognized by the board for her work with helping students social and emotional needs.

“This award could have gone to anyone in our school at the School of Innovation,” said Stansbury. “I am very honored to be recognized.”