Golden Apple Award: Nina East, Hixson High School
CHATTANOOGA, Tenn. (WDEF) – For students, teachers change from year to year, but the school secretary is a constant. A good secretary can make the whole educational process more pleasant and efficient.
We paid a visit to Hixson High to honor one of the best in the business with the Golden Apple Award.
Lee Ziegler is the Principal at Hixson.
He says, “Miss East is really the boss here at this school. She makes sure that this school runs perfect every day. We can count on Miss East for multiple things, but she is just a phenomenal leader in our building, and I could not do without her.”
For her part, Nina East says,” This is over and above. I’ve been here for 20 years.”
We asked her what motivates her.
She didn’t hesitate when she said, “The children. The children, all the students that have gone through here and probably the best colleagues ever in the world to work with.”
Shunta Daniels is the Assistant Principal.
About Ms. East, she says, ” She goes above and beyond her responsibilities. The things that we may not think of immediately. She’s always there to fill in the gap, to make sure that we have everything we need to provide for our staff and students daily.”
Assistant Principal Leann Plumlee chips in, “She’s a wildcat. Once a wildcat, always a wildcat.”
Math teacher Travis Clem says, “Hixson High would be an entirely different place if it wasn’t for Miss East. She makes the building run. She makes it run well.”
Assistant Principal Brian Bray says, “We’ve been together for 20 plus years, so coming in this building next year without hair is going to be a new adventure for me. But, wow, it’s well deserved.”
Nina East proudly states, “I feel validated in my work. I feel appreciated. I feel like I can support people here. I feel like there is a way to help everyone that’s in this building.”
Assistant Principal Bray adds,” She is the boss of Hixson High School. She is the face of Hixson High School. She makes what Hixson High School what it is. You can’t be without her.”
We asked Miss East what’s next?
She said, “Retirement. Taking care of and loving my five grandchildren. Um, and just taking up my old hobbies that I did before I actually worked full time.”
Principal Ziegler laments, ” I’m going to miss her greatly.”
Ms. East concludes, “This is where I’m meant to be.”
