MADISON – Before working at Mill Creek Elementary School, Rolanda ‘Ro’ U. Deberry was already quite familiar with the campus and its population because of volunteering. The school’s faculty and staff recently voted for Ro Deberry as “Staff Member of the Year.”

Before her employment with Madison City Schools, Deberry served as chairperson for the book fair and carnival games, Treasurer of Heritage Elementary School PTA, Vice President of Liberty Middle School PTA and Treasurer of Liberty Band.

Deberry previously worked as Ward Clerk for Trevecca Stroke and Orthopedic Center; cashier and hostess, Opryland USA Theme Park; and as bookkeeper for both United Furniture Workers of America – AFL-CIO and James Carpets of Huntsville Inc.

Her first job with MCS was Clerical Aide at Heritage from 2005 to 2009. Since that time, Deberry has been working as bookkeeper at Mill Creek.

“After working as the Mill Creek Bookkeeper for 15 years, I am able to anticipate administration and teacher needs and prepare better in advance,” Deberry said.

In her work philosophy, she said, “I am a strict rule follower and a people pleaser. I like everyone to be happy. So . . . let’s talk it out and determine a way to make it work better for everyone.”

Her hometown is Nashville, Tenn., where he attended Bellevue High School. She earned a bachelor’s degree with concentration in accounting at Western Kentucky University.

Ro is married to Mark Deberry, who works as an Engineering Manager with Northrop Grumman. Ro and Mark’s sons are Bobby, Matthew and Andrew, who graduated from Bob Jones High School in 2006, 2009 and 2011, respectively.

Their sons attended schools in Madison for grades K-12: Madison Elementary School, West Madison Elementary School, Heritage, Liberty and Bob Jones.

“I like to watch cooking shows and then try to create a ‘masterpiece’ of my own,” Ro said. “My family often asks, ‘Did you follow a recipe?’ In other words, they begin to eat with skepticism.”

Away from work, Ro Deberry likes spending time with her family. Playing board games and finishing her latest arts and crafts project both translate to fun times. Deberry also likes traveling to new and favorite destinations.