This week, we’re celebrating the dedicated staff who support CPSD students by featuring Gravelly Lake K-12 Academy (GLA) student nutrition worker Christopher Withrow and transportation secretary Tammy Mercer.

Christopher attended Tyee Park and Four Heroes elementary schools, Harrison Preparatory School, Clover Park High School and GLA before graduating in 2024. He has worked in the food service industry since he was 15 years old and joined the student nutrition team this past August after hearing about an opportunity from Superintendent Banner. “I am just thrilled to be here,” he said. “I enjoy helping the GLA kids because this program helped me excel, earn my diploma and experience graduating at the Tacoma Dome.” 

GLA is different from other schools because students complete their courses online but receive in person instruction as their schedule allows. Christopher’s goal is to serve the students who are present on the GLA campus each day and provide them with tasty options. “I want students to be excited to come to school and get meals that are satisfying and get them ready to learn,” he said. “They like fresh, hot, specialized items, so giving them those options makes my day.”

Christopher arranges meals for elementary and middle schoolers two times a week but prepares a self-service bar for high schoolers all week long. He knows that some of these high schoolers make sure to show up to enjoy lunch, even if they are learning virtually. “Not a lot of students have dedicated meals outside of school, so being able to get free breakfast and lunch is a huge opportunity,” he said. “When you’re at school you should never have to worry about your next meal.”

Christopher is honored to represent classified staff who work alongside teachers and administrators to support the whole child. “The people working behind the scenes at this district have been taking care of me and my family my entire life,” he said. “I’m proud that now, I’m able to get students just like me to come to school and feel engaged.”

Tammy joined CPSD in December of 2012. Before becoming the transportation secretary two years ago, she worked in the district’s accounts payable office and at Clover Park High School as the ASB secretary. “I feel like I have a really well-rounded perspective of the district at different levels, which helps me in my role now,” she said.

Tammy supports the entire transportation team by working on payroll, reviewing the drivers’ daily logs, billing for trips and fueling, supporting staff and families with questions over the phone and providing direct support to the director of transportation. “I love the transportation team because we’re a family,” she said. “We all take care of each other, and I’m grateful to have a role where I get to help our amazing bus drivers who care about each kid they transport to and from school.”

Adaptability and flexibility are key to Tammy’s role as the day can bring many shifts and surprises if any drivers require substitutes, construction sites cause route changes, the weather impacts start or dismissal times, or any other urgent issues arise. “It’s go-go-go all the time here, but I really enjoy the fast-paced environment,” she said. “Sometimes, I even help with dispatch if we are short on drivers, so you just have to be ready to step in wherever you’re needed in this department.”

Tammy is happy to have found a role where she can flex her adaptability skills while supporting a crucial department of the school district. For classified staff week, she’s honored to represent the CPSD staff who give their all for students in roles that may fly under the radar for families and community members. “Even though you don’t see us out there with the students in the same way, we are supporting them and the staff members who are more visible, like teachers, from behind the scenes,” she said. 

Thank you classified staff!