Panther Spotlight 4: Bill Pay and Angie Payne

Cabot Public Schools is proud to present, “Panther Spotlight.” This feature puts the spotlight on faculty and staff that are making a difference in the lives of our students every day.

Throughout the school year, we'll recognize outstanding certified and outstanding classified employees. 

This week, “Panther Spotlight” is proud to recognize Cabot Junior High North paraprofessional and bus driver Bill Pay, and Cabot Junior High South cafeteria manager Angie Payne.

Name: William Pay

Title: ISS Paraprofessional/Bus Driver

Describe your job? My paraprofessional duties include supervising students place in In School Suspension, obtaining class assignments and aiding students with class assignments. My bus driving duties include transporting students to and from Mountain Springs Elementary.

How long have you been with the Cabot School District? I have been with the Cabot School District for 8 years. I believe that the Cabot School District is one of the best in the state. My wife, daughter and I graduated from Cabot. Currently my grandchildren attend Cabot.

What is it that you love about CJHS? I love the whole staff at CJHS. Everyone is very supportive. 

What did you do before working at the Cabot School District? I am a Registered Professional Geologist retired from the Arkansas Department of Transportation.

Why do you love working for the Cabot School District? I love the "aha" moments when a student understands a concept or assignment.

How did you begin driving a bus?  My wife got me into driving a bus. She was a teacher in the district and is now retired.

What would you like to say to encourage others to become bus drivers? Driving a bus, you get to meet a lot of great kids!

If you didn't work as a bus driver/paraprofessional with Cabot Schools, what would you be doing? If I did not work for the district, I would probably fish a lot more. I love to raise feeder calves and escape to Colorado for visits to the mountains.

Please share a motto or saying you live by? My motto is "Everyone makes mistakes, it is important to learn from them".

Dr. John West, CJHS Principal:  Mr. Pay understands the CJHS vision.  He has a unique job as the in school suspension instructor.  Students are in his room because they made a mistake, but it is always his goal to turn the situation around and help students become more successful socially and academically. He is also a geologist.  He works with science classes and shares his personal collection of rocks and minerals with teachers and students.  Mr. Pay makes a difference for people every day.

Roger Tonnessen, Director of Transportation: Mr. Pay exemplifies the kind of person you want working with kids. His care and compassion for others are evident in his interactions with students and staff. He is truly an asset to the Cabot School District. We are blessed to have him working with our kids.

Name: Angie Payne

Title: Cafeteria Manager

How long have you been with the Cabot School District? Almost 17 years -- 16.75 to be exact! 

Please describe your job. PRODUCTION RECORDS, preparing work orders for the cafeteria staff, ordering and checking in groceries, supplies, etc., applying money to student/teacher accounts, going to the bank with daily deposits, telling my ladies what a GREAT bunch they are, and doing daily laundry. 

Why do you love working for the Cabot School District? It has the best staff and students around! I grew up here, graduated here, it's home. My first job was with the district through the JTPA program (Hope I remembered the name right)!

What is it that you love about CJHN? What's not to love? The staff is awesome but the students are my favorite.

What did you do before working at the Cabot School District? I was a cook for A+ Daycare.

Please share a memorable moment. The first time I met Mrs. Erin (Director of Food Services), I hid her keys. Probably the first three or four times she came to Ward Central Elementary, she couldn't just leave stuff lying around. LOL! This past year on Valentine's Day, the students gave us a "heart attack", that was great! They cut out hearts and made cards for us. The cafeteria doors and walls were covered in hearts!

Why did you get into this field? I love to cook and feed people. Growing up in a large family (6 kids), cooking for a crowd was easy. It is satisfying to see someone enjoy something you fixed with your own hands.

If you didn't work as a cafeteria manager with Cabot Schools, what would you be doing? I can't imagine not working for the district, but I'm sure I would be cooking somewhere.

Please share a motto or saying you live by. "Treat others as you want to be treated."

What is something someone would be surprised to know about you? I am a shy person, trying to get out of that habit.

What do you like to do in your spare time? Spending time with my three grandbabies and fishing.

Anything else you'd like to add? Breakfast is my thing at school. I prep and serve every day. One day, a student asked me why I did that, my reply was, "I kinda like y'all and enjoy visiting with you each morning." 

Erin Wilkes, Director of Food Services: “Ms. Angie is such a blessing to the food service department and this district.  She makes the students her number one priority. From her daily words of encouragement to her practical jokes, she is such a positive role model.  Anyone who has ever worked with Ms. Angie knows she has huge passion for making sure her students are taken care of.“ 

Charlotte Sandage, CJHN Principal: "Ms. Angie is like the mother hen.  She knows students by name; she knows who has eaten, who hasn't, and how many days it has been since they have come through her line.  She remembers every student's allergy and makes sure they are taken care of. Students know Ms. Angie and they love her."

Congratulations Mr. Pay and Ms. Payne on being featured in this week's Panther Spotlight! Your hard work and dedication is great appreciated!

Panther Spotlight: Bill Pay

Panther Spotlight: Angie Payne