Cashier’s suggestion turns into a 30-year career

Sometimes a chance encounter can lead to unexpected blessings. Such was the case for Bernice Spence, a student information representative at HISD’s Benbrook Elementary School.

Spence, who is celebrating 30 years of service with the district this week, started out as a cashier in the cafeteria at Clifton MS at the behest of a friend.

“It was a recommendation from another cashier,” said Spence. “She was a lady in the neighborhood, and she suggested I apply for the position, so I did. And I got it.”

Three years later, another referral landed her at Benbrook. “I was asked to come over by the principal and secretary, because I was involved in the PTA. My baby is 35 years old now and my oldest is 38, but my children came to Benbrook, so I’ve been involved for a long time.”

Spence officially marked her 30th anniversary with the district on Nov. 21, but several other employees are also marking theirs this week (Nov. 17–23). See if you know anyone on this list:

35 years

• Sanders Collins, custodian, Construction & Facility Services           

25 years

• Manuel Zalasar, elementary school secretary, Neff Early Learning Center
• Georgia Moore , social worker, Deaf Campus    
• Delia Cervantes, teaching assistant, Sanchez ES       
• Antanita Harvey, certification officer, Human Resources       

20 years

• Alejandro Galeno, tractor operator, Construction & Facility Services           
• Marta Maldonado, student information rep., Community Services   
• Yolanda Castañeda, bindery operator, Administrative Services        
• Jose Pena, L Plant Operator Operations Administration         
• Irma Rodriguez , teacher, Sanchez ES   

15 years

• Josefina Orellana, teaching assistant, Rucker ES       
• Bukola Adedokun, teacher, Bell ES        
• Nora Gracia,  Elem School Secretary 12M Petersen ES         
• Miguel Rivero, teacher, Foerster ES       

10 years

• Santos Carrizal, teacher, Harvard ES     
• Maria Franco, custodian, Construction & Facility Services    
• Henry Hicks, custodian, Construction & Facility Services      
• Maria Garza, teacher, Bonner ES
• Joyce Spigner, crossing guard, Tinsley ES       
• Perla Hernandez, associate teacher       
• Alberto Morgan, associate teacher          
• Kathryn Joiner, associate teacher           
• Concepcion Sanchez, custodian, Construction & Facility Services 
• Lyndon Hendrickson, maintenance repairer, Construction & Facility Services     
• Kironda Burgess, teacher, Hobby ES     
• Tiffany Hale , teacher, Hilliard ES
• Elijah Barefield, teacher, Oak Forest ES
• Angela Johnson, teacher, Long Academy        
• Carmen Parra, teacher, Burbank MS      
• Geetha Thomas, teacher, Crockett ES   

5 years

• Carmen Alfaro, teacher, Tinsley ES        
• Laura Carrizal, attendant, Food Services           
• George Dennis Jr, plumber, Construction & Facility Services           
• Jada Banks, teacher, Garden Villas ES 
• Joe Ward Jr, associate teacher    
• Debra George, associate teacher
• April Baker, attendant, Food Services     
• Rachel Adams, secretary, Special Education   
• Lorena DeLaCruz, teacher, Bellfort ECC           
• Carolina Pinzon, teacher, Law ES          
• Mabel Lobo, custodian, Construction & Facility Services       
• Mark Corazzato, teacher, Ashford ES     
• Maria Fuentes, custodian, Construction & Facility Services  
• Marilyn Robertson, bus driver, Transportation Services          
• Martha Orozco, associate teacher           
• Antoinette Griggs, attendant, Food Services
• Joe McVey, teacher, Cornelius ES          
• Maria Rivera Romero, custodian, Construction & Facility Services  
• Farrell Campbell, custodian, Construction & Facility Services          
• Shakiri Hooper, clerk, Garden Oaks ES 
• Lizzett Venegas, teaching assistant, Port Houston ES           
• Debra Martin-Ez, EEO Analyst, Employee Relations
• Remy Dillenseger, instructional specialist, Energy Institute HS        

Check back next Friday for more November Milestones. Leave a comment below if you’d like to congratulate any of the above employees.