Andi Jones of the school administrative center receives recognition from HAEOP

Andi Jones, the first person you meet and the voice of the Hampton City Schools administrative center, was honored by the Hampton Association of Educational Office Professionals (HAEOP) on April 19, 2024. HAEOP co-president Falon Bone, HAEOP members, and executive director of public relations and marketing Kellie Goral surprised Jones at her desk.

She was nominated by Goral who said the following, “Andi is that individual who possesses a unique combination of traits, qualities, and abilities that enable her to provide outstanding customer service to our internal and external stakeholders. Her skill set is like no other when it comes to assisting our customers. Her level of empathy allows her to understand the needs, concerns, and emotions of the individual she is assisting so she can tailor her responses and solutions appropriately. She is an active listener who asks clarifying questions, which is crucial to effective communication as well as valuing the customer’s perspective. Patience is a must when helping individuals who are upset or frustrated. Andi always keeps a calm demeanor regardless of the level of angst of the individual she is assisting. Not only does Andi remain calm and cool, her positive and friendly attitude and problem-solving abilities resolve issues quickly and efficiently. These exceptional customer service skills make a significant difference with the daily calls and visits our school administrative center receives. Many times because of Andi’s professional interactions with our employees, families, and community members on the front end, conflicts are resolved before they escalate further.”

The recognition was created by HAEOP in the 2022-2023 school year as a way to recognize employees. Any employee in the school division can nominate any office professional to be recognized and state why this person is deserving of the recognition. Nominations are reviewed each month and the winning recipient is chosen at random. Members of HAEOP then go to the winner’s school or office and surprise them with balloons and an award.