LifeChanger of the Year Nominee Profile

Renee Rutherford was nominated by her principal, Yolanda Ellis.

When Ms. Ellis came to be principal at Frederick Douglass Elementary, Ms. Rutherford was the Head Custodian at the school.  Ellis was immediately impressed with the cleanliness of the building and the pride Rutherford had for her work.

Ms. Rutherford is extremely personable and has a great rapport with the staff, students and parents.  She knows the students and their parents by name and they all have a great deal of repect and admiration for her. "Ms. Rutherford is an amazing person and I am super proud to have her on our team," Ellis said. "I had absolutley no worries when it came to the upkeep of the building because I knew that she had it all under control, which was priceless to me since I had such a tremendous job to do in every other capacity as a new principal." 

A few years after Ellis' arrival, Ms. Rutherford was unexpectedly injured and could no longer serve in the capacity of Head Custodian. Ellis couldn't bear the idea of Ms. Rutherford leaving the school because "she is such a great all around person helping everyone and contributing so much."  Ellis was thrilled when the opportunity opened to keep Rutherford on board as a security monitor.  

"I can't begin to tell you how many compliments from parents, distrct staff and visitors in general I receive on how welcoming and helpful Ms. Rutherford is, as she's the first person they come in contact with when entering our building," Ellis said. "Additonally, because Ms. Rutherford is on her post early in the morning to receive students that are droppoed off early, I have found her reviewing sight words or math facts and helping with students' homework when I arrive." 

Ellis was so impressed she would drop her bags and either take a picture or video of Rutherford and the students totally engaged. Ms. Rutherford is the biggest cheerleader for her school and its students.  She ensures that they celebrate every holiday and she participates in all school activities including opening of schools, mock elections, reading parades, door decorating, United Way Drives, PTA, EESAC and more. She's consistently there ready and willing to help. 

"It is my opinion that Ms. Rutherford is someone that has definitely made a tremendous contribution to the success of our school," Ellis said.