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VIP Awards: Support Staff Category

VIP Awards: Support Staff Category

Alexandria City Public Schools (ACPS) presented the 2024-25 second quarter Vision, Integrity and Passion (VIP) awards to staff members in the support staff category during the Jan. 23, 2025, School Board meeting.

The award recipients included:

  • Regina Benavides, administrative assistant, Mount Vernon Community School
  • Jacqueline Claros, administrative assistant, Alexandria City High School-Minnie Howard Campus
  • Johnny Grados, campus manager, George Washington Middle School
  • Joseph Jenkins, textbook services assistant, Textbook Warehouse
  • Jenny Rodriguez-Sosa, executive administrative assistant, Department of Accountability and Research
  • Desiree White, family liaison, Patrick Henry K-8 School

As a bilingual staff member, Administrative Assistant Regina Benavides helps to ensure that non-English-speaking families and staff at Mount Vernon Community School (Mount Vernon) are fully included and able to communicate effectively. First joining Alexandria City Public Schools (ACPS) in December 2011, Benavides has served to create a warm, approachable atmosphere that helps everyone feel valued and respected and is a trusted resource for families, teachers and staff.

“Ms. Benavides works tirelessly on behalf of the students and staff at Mount Vernon to support effective operations and to create a warm, efficient, and responsive school office culture. She is always willing to collaborate with colleagues on challenging and complex tasks, and makes managing the office of the largest elementary school in ACPS look easy,” said Mount Vernon Principal Jennifer Hamilton. “Finally, as a bilingual professional, Ms. Benavides is an asset in supporting our efforts to create strong home-school partnerships and ensuring that all families feel welcome at Mount Vernon Community School.”

Having worked at Mount Vernon for many years, Benavides shows exceptional loyalty and dedication to the school’s mission. She is instrumental in supporting new staff, offering guidance, assistance, and a supportive presence. In nominating Benavides for a VIP Award, her colleagues commented how her deep understanding of the school's culture and operations, along with her long-term commitment, make her an irreplaceable member of the team, positively impacting both staff and families.

In addition to her roles as administrative assistant and treasurer, she has taken the lead in collaborating with the Mount Vernon parent liaison on various school-wide initiatives aimed at fostering family engagement. She plays a key role in organizing events that unite families from diverse backgrounds. 

Benavides frequently volunteers her time to address logistical challenges for school events, even those outside her official responsibilities, showcasing her unwavering commitment to the school's mission and the well-being of its community. As an integral member of the Mount Vernon team, Benavides consistently demonstrates exceptional dedication, professionalism, and organizational excellence that far exceed the expectations of her role.

Jacqueline Claros first joined ACPS in July of 2018 and serves as the administrative assistant, at Alexandria City High School (ACHS)-Minnie Howard Campus. Claros played a critical role in setting up the main office in Minnie Howard’s new building. This was no small feat, as it required her to organize the physical space while simultaneously establishing procedures and processes that would ensure an efficiently run school from day one. Her attention to detail, ability to anticipate needs and organizational expertise were instrumental in creating a welcoming and functional space for staff, students and families alike.

"Ms. Jacqueline Claros exemplifies the dedication, professionalism and excellence that makes Minnie Howard such a welcoming place. Her unwavering support for our staff, students, and community is nothing short of amazing. We are beyond proud to see her hard work and commitment recognized with this prestigious VIP Award,” said ACHS Minnie Howard Campus Administrator Lance Harrell.

Claros serves as a problem-solver, a trusted confidant, and an advocate for students and families. Whether she is assisting a family with enrollment, ensuring staff members have what they need, or simply greeting students with a smile, she fosters a sense of community that strengthens relationships across the school. Her dedication extends well past office hours, and her work is a testament to her commitment to the success of Minnie Howard and ACPS.

In nominating Johnny Grados for a VIP Award, a staff member stated, “I nominate the heart and soul of George Washington Middle School (George Washington), our incredible Campus Manager, Jesus "Johnny" Grados.” 

George Washington Principal Jeanette Vinson added her accolades and said, "Mr. Grados isn’t just a campus manager—he’s the heart of George Washington Middle School. Mr. Grados is a master of the small, but meaningful touches that make a school a family."  

Grados joined ACPS in August of 2022 and is known for making the impossible look effortless. He arrives at school at the crack of dawn to coordinate substitute coverage, tackling every logistical hiccup imaginable, ensuring that classrooms have coverage and that learning can continue seamlessly. In fact, it was noted that if substitute coordination were an Olympic sport, Grados would bring home the gold.

Grados was also singled out as being a true VIP as he takes on maintenance like a maestro conducting a symphony, collaborating with the principal to ensure custodians are equipped, facilities are pristine and every repair is tackled. Grados is the go-to problem solver at George Washington and a master of the small, yet meaningful touches that make a school a family. 

Grados shows how he cares in ways that are thoughtful, consistent, and genuine. For example, he does not miss birthdays, and his efforts to celebrate Custodian Appreciation Day make everyone feel like rock stars. 

Principal Vinson calls Grados her “right hand” as she can depend on him daily to assist with administrative tasks and support in carrying out everything from big-picture plans to day-to-day operations. 

Grados is celebrated as an individual who creates a welcoming environment for all who enter George Washington. He is a true VIP in every way imaginable.

The tireless efforts behind the scenes by Joseph Jenkins, ACPS’ textbook services assistant at the Textbook Warehouse, are critical in ensuring materials are ready and available to support learning for all students across the school division. Joining ACPS in July of 2018, Jenkins has become the linchpin that keeps the crucial flow of educational resources moving, making certain that students in the community have access to the resources they need to learn and grow.

“Joe Jenkins is a dedicated employee who cares about everyone he meets. He is also an amazing human being and I feel lucky to get to work with him,” Instructional Coordinator for Libraries & Curricular Resources Kaycie Hoffman Blaylock said.

With an infectious smile that brightens the day of everyone around him, no job is too big or small for Jenkins to tackle. Based at the warehouse, Jenkins receives, processes and delivers all instructional materials for ACPS. He works closely with the facilities staff at the warehouse and with staff at all of the schools. In fact, you can often find him driving a forklift or helping the facility crew set up for major functions across ACPS. 

Jenkins dedicates countless hours as the sole individual responsible for the critical task of delivering the vital physical materials schools require to effectively educate students. A colleague noted in nominating Jenkins for a VIP Award, how his middle name should be “helpful” as he helps everyone and does it with a positive attitude. For example, during the past summer, he received, processed and distributed over 50,000 instructional resources to over 20 locations. 

Jenkins expertly manages the organization and accessibility of the warehouse, meticulously cataloging and arranging the diverse array of educational materials to enable quick and easy retrieval when needed. His friendly demeanor and positive attitude serve to uplift all those around him, making him an indispensable asset to ACPS and deserving of VIP honors.

Jenny Rodriguez-Sosa, executive administrative assistant for the Department of Accountability and Research, does what is best for ACPS in support of all students. She first came to the school division in July of 2018 and has been in her current position since August of 2023.

“From day one, Jenny has embraced a proactive and continuous improvement mindset in everything she does. She takes ownership of her responsibilities and constantly seeks ways to improve herself and the processes within our department,” Chief of Accountability and Research Dr. Clinton Page said. He added that Rodriguez-Sosa has an ability to provide honest, thoughtful and respectful feedback that has benefited the entire department. “Her commitment to developing skills in technology, leadership, task and project management, and interpersonal communication speaks to her drive for excellence. She genuinely cares about the people she works with and is always willing to lend a hand or offer support.” 

Rodriguez-Sosa’s VIP award nomination noted that her contributions are evident in her ability to expertly juggle the demands of managing nine team members with complex and hectic schedules, all while maintaining a welcoming and supportive presence. One fellow colleague pointed out how Rodriguez-Sosa’s outstanding performance shines during standardized testing administration, explaining how she ensures every detail is accounted for; from coordinating schedules to troubleshooting challenges, all while keeping the team focused and motivated. 

Additionally, her exceptional organization and precision play a pivotal role in managing the intricacies of the division's strategic plan, where her expertise helps to ensure that no task or deadline is overlooked. Her dedication ensures that vital processes occur without disruption, ultimately creating a more effective and equitable learning environment for all.

Dr. Page added, "The joy Jenny brings to her work day in and day out is infectious. She is the embodiment of an ACPS VIP. She is committed, caring and always striving to improve herself, our team and the overall organization."

Desiree White first came to serve ACPS in September of 2015 and is currently a family liaison at Patrick Henry K-8 School (Patrick Henry) where she coordinates and oversees all initiatives related to families, school events and collaborations with community partners.

"In every thriving community, there are individuals whose dedication quietly, but powerfully shapes the success of others. Mrs. White’s unwavering commitment, compassion, and tireless efforts as family liaison have built bridges that connect families, empower students, and strengthen the heart of Patrick Henry K-8 School,” shared Principal Kenard Robinson. “Her work reminds us that true leadership is not found in titles but in service. She is the steady light guiding our families forward, and today, we proudly honor Mrs. White as the VIP you truly are."

White is known for the many ways in which she serves. She collaborates with the public relations liaison to ensure that school-wide and family communications are effectively shared on social media and ParentSquare. She helps to coordinate service projects and work-based learning hours for students in the Career and Technical Education (CTE) program. She organizes “Coffee Talks” to discuss important issues with families and provides valuable resources. Additionally, White manages Patrick Henry’s monthly family and holiday basket giveaways, in partnership with the school social worker.

White is recognized by those who nominated her for a VIP Award, as an individual who works closely with the PTA, the school nurse, and offers a supportive space for students she has previously taught when they need a place to regroup. Her professionalism is consistently evident and she represents both herself and her program positively. White maintains an unwavering commitment to fulfill her responsibilities and exceed expectations. While White prefers to stay in the background and ensure that everyone else is taken care of first, it is fitting to see her in the spotlight as she receives a well-deserved VIP award.

 

  • 2024-25