Please join us in celebrating our Employees of the 1st Quarter!
The Employee of the Quarter Award recognizes Bettendorf Community School District staff who inspire exceptional service and attitude. Recipients demonstrate a commitment to their job and/or school involvement above and beyond expectations. We are #BETTerTogether
MORE TO COME
Abbey Dickens
Paraeducator
Herbert Hoover Elementary
Abbey Dickens is an exceptionally deserving candidate for Employee of the Quarter. From her days as an eager, compassionate third grader at Jefferson Elementary to her current role as a paraeducator, Abbey has consistently demonstrated kindness, dedication, and a genuine heart for others. In her work with kindergarten and special education students, she provides a calm, steady presence that helps children feel safe, understood, and supported. Students naturally gravitate toward her for comfort and reassurance, and she skillfully balances nurturing care with gentle accountability, helping them grow both academically and emotionally.
As a colleague, Abbey is truly invaluable. She anticipates the needs of both staff and students, often stepping in to help before anyone even needs to ask. Her organization, reliability, and quiet professionalism bring a sense of order and calm to the classroom and the building as a whole. She is a dependable teammate, a thoughtful communicator, and a positive influence on the entire school community. Abbey embodies the very best of what we hope for in our paraeducators, and it is a joy and privilege to enthusiastically recommend her for Employee of the Quarter.
Ashley Sanders
Cook
Bettendorf High School
Ashley consistently goes above and beyond to improve the food experience for students at Bettendorf High School. She has led the way in developing homemade menu items, taking great pride in the quality of what is served each day. Her dedication and creativity were key factors in the district receiving national recognition for the positive menu changes at BHS. When the scanner system went down across the district, Ashley even volunteered to learn manual billing to keep things running smoothly and prevent the team from falling behind—showing her willingness to step outside her normal duties for the good of the whole system.
Her strong sense of teamwork and pride in her work have made Ashley an incredible asset to the Nutrition Department and the BCSD team. She understands how her role connects to the bigger picture and consistently models a “whole system” mindset. That perspective has inspired others in the kitchen to follow her example, collaborate more closely, and focus on what’s best for students. Ashley’s leadership, initiative, and commitment to doing what’s right for kids truly set her apart.