Jennifer Shott, at right, shares a laugh with her daughters, Maya and Laura. Jennifer is Staff Member of the Year at West Madison Elementary School. CONTRIBUTED

MADISON – Jennifer Shott has a hard-to-turn-down promise for her colleagues at West Madison Elementary School.

“Thank you again to my co-workers that nominated and voted for me as Staff Member of the Year. Cupcakes will be made for you,” Shott said in showing gratitude for her honor.

Shott started working as a Child Nutrition Program (CNP) employee in the cafeteria at Heritage Elementary School. Now, she is CNP Manager at West Madison Elementary School.

“Making sure all of our students are fed a nutritious and tasty meal is my main job,” Shott said. “I am also the cashier at our school, so getting to know all the students’ names is a happy challenge.”

West Madison students love the fact that Shott thanks them individually by name each day. “I tell them to have a great day,” she said.

“I am so honored that my co-workers choose me as Staff Member of the Year! My co-workers are so great. I love working at West Madison Elementary School,” Shott said.

“The most rewarding part of my job is when the students smile and can’t wait to eat breakfast, lunch or a snack,” Shott said. “All of the students mean so much to me.”

Shott encourages good behavior by telling West Madison students “that this is my house and manners are very important. ‘Please’ and ‘thank you’ are said and appreciated.”

Shott’s daughter Laura is 24 years old and attends the University of Alabama in Huntsville. “Laura is about to get married this month.”

Her daughter Maya, who is 18, will enter the University of Montevallo this semester. “I am a very proud of my daughters,” Shott said.