De'Onna Washington was nominated by her colleague, Denetta Corbin.
Ms. Washington does an excellent job managing Sarah Zumwalt Middle School. In January 2017, the school had to relocate in the middle of the school year due to health concerns for the school building. Ms. Washington selflessly gave up her Christmas break to ensure that the campus would be up and running for the returning school year.
"Ms. Washington is hard working, dependable and helpful," Corbin said. "When you are managing a campus with many personalities and day-to-day dilemmas, it is important to be open-minded and direct. Ms. Washington is a proud individual who believes in order, organization and opportunities for our campus to shine. You can’t help but appreciate our timekeeper because she ensures that our monthly income is correct."
Ms. Washington interacts with parents and students with patience and understanding. She has become a hairstylist to young girls at school who have self-esteem issues because of their hair. She has helped them become more confident and less ashamed to come to school. Ms. Washington is responsible for ordering, organizing, and distributing school materials for the entire campus. She ensures that staff members have everything needed to be effective and successful. She is a devoted office manager that sets the standard of excellence for officer managers across the district. Additionally, she creates opportunities for her school to run smoothly, even when they co-habitate with another campus.
Ms. Washington doesn’t just run the office, she believes in collaboration and assists where she's needed. When others stick strictly to their job duties, you can find Ms. Washington engaging with unruly parents to diffusing explosive situations. She also serves as a mediator for students who find themselves involved in unproductive issues that could lead to disciplinary actions. Ms. Washington doesn’t stand behind her door - she is visible during transitions, building relationships with students. It is not uncommon to see students running happily to greet her and receive a big hug, especially on the days they need it most.
"In my years of service to DISD, I have worked with many phenomenal office managers, but Ms. Washington’s dedication and commitment to the impoverished community of Sarah Zumwalt Middle School is unmatched," Corbin said. "Again, Ms. Washington is our front line for getting things done lovingly and with excellence. She redefines the epitome of office managers!"
I am so proud of you for all you have accomplished!!! Even though I missed this nomination I celebrate you today for being awesome and excelling above the odds that were se against you.
Congratulations My Friend
Wheeler, M.Ed
I have known her for many many years and still to this day she continues to be the same great person I have known for years in school and out of school
I work with Ms. Washington as the School Clerk and she has been grooming me to one day move up to her position. She makes sure I get the proper training. She also very patient while teaching me some of her duties. With her sharing her knowledge I know I will one day be an outstanding Office Manager.
I meet Ms. Washington prior to returning to DISD and she is everything that Ms. Corbin mention -if not more!
The extra mile she goes to help others at work is the same length she goes in the community.
Ms. Washington is a life changer to many. And I am extremely proud to say she’s my co worker.
I have known Ms. Washington for short amount of time, but during this time I have witnessed Ms. Washington helping teachers, students, and parents. She has a great relationship with the faculty and staff; she makes herself available in order to meet their needs. She is selfless, kind, and caring. Ms. Washington has not just made a positive impact of the students lives but has made a positive impact on those who have crossed her path.
Ms. Washington she is wonderful always helping out making sure everything is in order I'm thankful to be working with her she is awesome
Ms. Washington, you ROCK! I'm glad that you are being celebrated for your position here at Sarah Zumwalt M.S. Although, you serve as the office manager, you definitely wear many hats to make the day to day operations of our campus run more smoothly. You deserve to be honored for making a difference and serving the students of the community on and off the campus!
When Ms. Washington and her whole middle school moved into our building over a year ago, we did not know what to expect. What happened is a new great work relationship and friendship. She has made the transition easy and seamless for both staffs. She is truly a blessing to have in our building.
Ms. Washington has a strong reputation of leading with organization, efficiency, and most of all love and passion for students! As a district coordinator, I have the wonderful opportunity to work with her in various ways. She serves at a turnaround campus that many had given up on and had walked away from. Ms. Washington took on the opportunity with passion and dedication that the students immediately felt. She wears many hats in the building that extend beyond her title of office manager....she is a counselor, teacher, community liason, and so much more. Parents have expressed the impact she has had on their families in a way that will stay with them forever. She truly is the epitome of a daily life changer that touches the lives of hundreds every day.
Congratulations Wash on your much deserved nomination! You are a force at our school that helps students and staff alike. You always want to learn more and more about education and I know you are going to be a PHENOMENAL teacher when this is all said and done! Good Luck!!!
As principal, I had the opportunity to work with Ms. Washington for several years. She served as Office Manager at our campus, Dr. Barbara Jordan Elementary,before her promotion to Middle School. Ms. Washington is efficient and timely. She gets the job done no matter the obstacles. Her multiple talents allows her to serve faculty, staff, students and parents. She makes positive contributions to the school environment and models excellence in her role as Office Manager. Simply said she is “Simply the Best”.
This is such a great opportunity to celebrate, Ms. Washington, who is such a special and kind person, who has touched the lives of so many students in Dallas. I've had a great opportunity to have worked and know her as her former principal at Barbara Jordan Elementary School. She was an excellent contributor to the school's culture and learning environment. All of the students and staff loved her, because she was always caring and nurturing. Congratulations to such a warm and special person.
I agree with Mrs. Corbin's assessment wholeheartedly. Ms. Washington is a crucial part of our Zumwalt family. She truly has a heart of service for the students and for the adults .
I have known De`Anna for many years. I am a retired teacher of the Dallas Public Schools. While teaching at Barbara Jordan Elementary in Dallas ISD, De`Anna served as our office manager. It was there that I first observed her unwavering and committed spirit , as well as her work ethics . There was no job too small or too big for her. She was very creative and innovative. As a super organizer, she served as a catalyst for helping to get things done in and around the school. De`Anna not only showed commitment to the school, but was a supporter of community activities. She also displayed a loyalty to and for her family. De`Anna and I developed an everlasting bond and friendship during those days, and it has lasted up until now. She has been a very helpful friend , sharing her time and talents with me when needed . She is much deserving of this award, and I am very proud to say that she is my friend!
Ms. Washington goes over and beyond to build personal relationships with staff and children! Her kind heart is a blessing to many!
Ms. Washington is not only dedicated to her, job but outside the job she works with the elderly and the homeless, she dedicates her time and efforts yearly collecting items to donate and planning special events for them. She's also a sharing person.
De'Onna Washington is an amazing woman, motivator, and a true patriot. I have worked with Ms. Washington on several charitable events that she planned, lead, and executed with some much humbleness. Her character without a doubt is something I personally work to achieve in my own life.
Ms. Washington,
I must agree with everything Ms. Corbin said about Ms. Washington. She is the epitome of office managers. She is always working endlessly to provide top shelf customer service to everyone. Congratulations Ms. Washington on a job well done. You deserve it! Words cannot express the many things you do at Sarah Zumwalt.
To GOD be the Glory! Mrs. Corbin, thank you so much for nominating me for this award. It truly warms my heart to know you appreciate the work I do for the staff and with the children as the Office Manager at Zumwalt Middle School.
Ms Washington is a leader by every definition of the word. She volunteers extensively with both the homeless citizens of Dallas as well as nursing home residents. She never minds giving of her time and self. I'd g so far as to call her my "shero".
