Ms. Santos Recognized as FCPS CARES of the Month Recipient!

November 2022 Region 2 Recipient

By Department of Human Resources
Spotlight
January 17, 2023

Congratulations to Ms. Jennifer Santos on her recognition as the November 2022 Region 2 FCPS CARES Recipient of the Month, given by the FCPS Department of Human Resources!

The FCPS CARES Program is an opportunity for parents, staff, and community members to recognize FCPS employees for going above and beyond to help others and show they care. We invite you to submit your story below, so we can all acknowledge the good work of FCPS employees.

Below is the write-up submitted by a Camelot Elementary School parent.

Ms. Santos was my daughter's kindergarten teacher. My daughter is spirited and willful, with a tenderness inside that can only be reached once trust is gained. After being at home for the pandemic, she was not used to routines or structure, and I was worried about how she'd do in a school setting. I am so thankful that her first public school experience was with Ms. Santos. Ms. Santos never gave up on my daughter. She was patient, firm, diligent, and persevering, and she saw the good in my daughter even on the days my daughter was acting out. Ms. Santos set loving boundaries with my daughter, allowing her to feel safe. When I was having difficulty with my daughter at home, Ms. Santos helped me by talking with my daughter and reminding her why certain rules were necessary. She went above and beyond in communication, and I felt like I always knew what was happening with my daughter and in the classroom, both the good and the bad. I believe it is due to my daughter's kindergarten experience with Ms. Santos that she is now thriving in first grade. She trusts that teachers are loving, trustworthy grown-ups who are there to look out for her. Because of this, my daughter no longer has difficulty following structure or rules in a classroom setting. Thanks to Ms. Santos' diligence, my daughter also entered first grade with a strong foundation in reading, writing, social studies, and math. My daughter gets excited to see Ms. Santos on the playground every day, and Ms. Santos remains an important name in our household. In some ways, I feel like she is a member of our family. Teachers like Ms. Santos deserve accolades and recognition. Teaching isn't a job for her, it is a calling and a passion. Teachers like her change lives. I will always be thankful to her and the way she got my daughter off to a strong, happy start in her education. We love you, Ms. Santos!