Throughout the 2026-2027 school year, each month employees and educators at Garrett-Keyser-Butler will be recognized for exemplary work in that month's Character Counts pillar.
For the month of August, the Character Counts pillar was RESPECT.
The honorees each month will receive the Silver Spike that carries with it the term 'Strong Together. Driven Forward.' Those recipients will then choose another GKB employee the following month for showing the virtues of that respective time period's Character Counts pillar.
Here are the August 2026 recognized employees:
Mrs. Erin Howard and Mr. Ryan Hathaway - Garrett High School
Mrs. Howard and Mr. Hathaway have exemplified the pillar of Respect through flexibility and willingness to accomplish what’s best for students and teachers at GHS. They’ve been pouring in extra time, making on-demand changes, and fine tuning schedules since summer. This is in addition to meeting with and checking in on students’ well-being throughout each day. Thank you, Mrs. Howard and Mr. Hathaway, for all that you do every day to show RESPECT at Garrett High School.
Mrs. Tasha Getts - Garrett Middle School
Each month, we have the opportunity to recognize a staff member who truly exemplifies one of our Character Counts pillars. This month, our focus is Respect—and there is no better way to describe our August honoree than to say that respect is evident in everything she does.
Our August Railroad Spike goes to Tasha Getts.
Tasha demonstrates respect in the way she cares for her students, supports her colleagues, and contributes to our entire school community. She treats others with kindness, patience, and genuine care.
What makes Tasha especially deserving of this recognition is that she doesn't just talk about respect—she models it every day. Through her interactions with students and staff, she shows us what it looks like to lead with compassion and to treat everyone with dignity.
Just like a railroad spike helps hold the tracks together, Tasha is someone who helps hold our school community together. Her positive presence and the respect she shows others make Garrett Middle School a better place.
Tasha, thank you for being such a wonderful example of Respect and for the care you show our students, our staff, and our school. We are proud to honor you with the August Railroad Spike!
Mr. Zachary DeLauder - JE Ober Elementary
Due to his emphasis of respect as a value within his classroom, his watchful eye in the hallway, and willingness to take on car-rider duties at the drop of a hat, Mr. Zach Delauder has received the railroad spike based on the August character pillar of the month: respect. Congratulations Zach!
Mrs. Julie Malcolm - GKB District
We’re celebrating our Julie Malcolm, our Transportation Director for consistently demonstrating what it means to live out our Character Counts pillar of RESPECT.
Through leadership, kindness, patience, and the way they treat others, they remind us that respect isn’t just something we talk about—it’s something we show every day!
Thank you for representing the very best of who we are and for making a positive difference in the lives of our students, families, and staff!