The Heart of Center Award recognizes a staff member who goes above and beyond to make a positive difference for students, colleagues, families, and the community. The February 2026 Heart of Center recipients are Principal Secretary Nina Taylor, Center Middle School, and 2nd Grade Teacher Gabrielle Young, Red Bridge Elementary. Ms. Taylor and Ms. Young were awarded at the February 23, 2026 Board of Education meeting.
Ms. Taylor was nominated by long term substitute Pebble Coleman who shared, “Nina is always stopping what she is doing to accommodate others. If she is not able to in the moment, she will be sure to follow up and find the solution to the concern or issue at hand. I haven't heard a complaint, and she serves diligently with a smile.” Ms. Nina serves with loving support and generous heart.
Ms. Young was nominated by Red Bridge Elementary parent Katrina Howard who shared, “Ms. Young has had 2 of my children in her class. Her teaching method and ability to build and foster relationships with her students always creates a successful learning environment. My children developed leaps and bounds while in her class. One of my kiddos struggled with reading and writing and her encouragement got him onto a path of success. She is the epitome of what a teacher should be and I’m always happy to know my kids are in her care through the day. walks into her classroom and truly sees them as they are. She never asks them to change yet meets them at their level. There aren’t enough teachers that will do that these days and still be able to show up day in and day out to push them in exactly the right way for their individual personalities. She is truly one of a kind and deserves to be celebrated each day.”
Please join us in congratulating Ms. Taylor and Ms. Young, our February Heart of Center Award recipients. Center School District employees can nominate a colleague for the Heart of Center award online.
