Greensboro, NC - The block lettering on the wall of Gary Gonzalez’s classroom reads, “Discipline of others isn’t punishment. You discipline to help, improve, to correct, and prevent.” That’s the philosophy behind his role at Jamestown Middle, a place he’s called home for all his 28 years as an educator.  

Gonzalez is a designated student success coordinator, a position that took him out of the classroom and allows him to impact even more of Jamestown Middle’s nearly 1,000 students. And now, he can also call himself GCS Employee of the Month.  

Gonzalez’s primary role is to work with students who may be having discipline issues, but this is not your traditional in-school suspension. School counselor Brittany Wells wrote in her nomination, “Gary Gonzalez is an educator whose work transcends far beyond the walls of the school because the achievements of his students, their families and our school is at the heart of his priorities. Mr. Gonzalez is committed to ensuring students are disciplined through social-emotional skill building, relational achievements and restorative practices and that justice is always teachable. He believes punitive punishment irreparably serves to humiliate, shame, and retaliate. Every student is valued in the highest regard and seen as an opportunity to change our world. With his work, our school is on track to achieving a 5% decrease in lost days due to OSS.”

Gonzalez received a $50 gift card courtesy of the Greensboro Jaycees. During the month of January, his photo will be displayed at the district’s central offices, at Jamestown Middle and in the Greensboro Jaycees office.   

Nominations for Employee of the Month can be made using this form.