Positive Attitude, Commitment to School and
Students Earn Aide Top Honors
What do you call a man who teaches students everything from reading to carpentry, who counsels troubled students and calms angry ones, who cooks for school functions, who helps teachers move furniture, who has paid money out of his own pocket to help students and staff, who provides first aid, and does many, many other things at school, all with a positive attitude?
At the Horizon Center, they call him ‘Mr. Mo.’
Stanford Moore is a teacher’s aide at Horizon, which is a school for students who have had difficulties at their regular schools. After five years at the school, he’s earned the respect and love of students and staff alike. He’s also earned the distinction of being named Alachua County’s School-Related Employee of the Year for 2005. Moore will now go on to represent Alachua County Public Schools in the Florida School Related Employee of the Year Program.
“Stan clearly goes well beyond the call of duty at Horizon,” said Superintendent Dan Boyd. “He’s very deserving of this honor.”
“It’s not an exaggeration to say that he is the heart and soul of our school community,” said teacher Paula Grasel. “In my 36 years of teaching experience, I’ve never encountered any individual who has had more of an effect on students, teachers and administrators alike.”
All of Moore’s co-workers agree that he is an indispensable part of the school’s family. During the course of the work day, he is often the one called to a classroom to soothe angry or unruly students. Many students come to him for advice when they are unable or unwilling to talk to their families.
“He’s firm, but the young people know he’s an adult that they can trust and emulate,” said Grasel.
The list of things Moore does for students and staff is nearly endless. He’s been known to pay for haircuts for students out of his own pocket, or to cover a field trip fee for students whose families could not afford it. When teachers needs help moving furniture, setting up equipment or doing just about anything else, Moore is the man they call.
“His work ethic is impeccable,” said principal Mike Monaghan. “He’s always one of the first people here and one of the last to leave.”
Moore’s commitment to the school and students extends well beyond the confines of his job description. On his own initiative he developed and implemented an afternoon carpentry and landscaping program to help students understand how their classroom lessons can be transferred to the real world and to teach them to appreciate hard work. He often brings his big grill to Horizon in the evening or on weekends to cook for school activities. He’s served on the School Advisory Council. He’s even taken additional training to boost his skills, all to benefit the school.
Just as important, says Monaghan, is the fact that Moore does everything with a smile.
“He’s the epitome of what we try to preach to our students, and that is that attitude is everything,” he said. “He’s a living, breathing example of that philosophy at work.”
Moore says it’s a philosophy he tries hard to pass along to students.
“I really believe that attitude is everything,” he said. “It’s not just what you do but how you do it and doing your best at it that’s important.”
Meisha Hill is an 8th-grader at Horizon who says the value of an upbeat attitude is something she’s learned from Mr. Moore.
“He says that no matter your ups and downs, to keep a smile and you’ll make it through,” she said. “He always keeps a smile no matter what goes on, and I love him like a father.”
When he’s not helping his school, Moore is out helping the community. He’s actively involved in a wide range of local organizations, including the Williams Elementary PTA, the St. Phillips 55 Masonic Order, Neighborhood Crime Watch and Helping Hands Club for Bereaved Families.
“I really enjoy volunteering,” he said. “The thing you enjoy doesn’t always pay, but money’s not the key of life. If I can make a difference, change someone’s life, then I feel I’m making a change in the world and making it a better place.”