ROWAN COUNTY — Each month, The Forum of Salisbury honors one classified and one licensed employee as The Forum of Salisbury Employees of the Month for RSS. 

Those staff members are nominated by students and parents and the winners receive $250, a six-month membership to The Forum, and a 5-class pass for SoFul Yoga and Wellness at Railwalk.

The classified staff member of the month is Sheri Cook, a child nutrition assistant at Landis Elementary School.

The certified and licensed staff member of the month is Ben Butchart, a Science, Technology, Engineering, Arts and Mathematics (STEAM) teacher at North Rowan Elementary. 

During the school board meeting on Monday, RSS Director of Marketing and Communications Michelle Shue shared the submitted nominations for both. Parent Faye Sutton nominated Cook.

“Sheri Cook has always gone above and beyond her work effort to make the children happy and smile when they come through her lunch line and give hugs when needed,” Sutton’s nomination said. “I am very proud of Sheri for doing a great job with the kids and her job position.”

Butchart was nominated by parent Ericka Tanner.

“He always reaches out to parents to provide praise, give help when needed and help parents,” Tanner’s nomination said. “He is amazing at teaching STEAM, and providing support to students in the classroom and giving them what they need to succeed.

“I have never experienced a better educator inside and outside of the classroom. I am so glad my son has the experience of science with him this year.”

Tanner added that Butchart is not just teaching her son.

“Some of the things my 2nd grader comes home and tells me teaches me.”