Lander County School District said farewell to two outstanding employees this year. Eva Gama and Roberta Winrod earned their chance to retire this year after 68 combined years of service to Lander County.
Eva Gama started her career as a substitute for custodians in 1990. She worked in all schools including the Austin schools during summer work. In August of 1998, Eva landed a full time custodial position in the district.
She spent most of her years at the elementary school cleaning the trailers, the old Mary S. Black and the new Battle Mountain Elementary School. Eva was a stickler for cleanliness and it showed in her daily routines.
“She was thorough and paid attention to detail”, said teachers in her cleaning area. “She kept kids aware of the status of their bathrooms and tried to get them to take responsibility for their areas.”
Teacher’s always had great things to say about Eva.
“She was always so nice and happy when she was in my room.” If I needed something for my room, I just had to ask Eva and she took care of it for me. If my room was messy, Eva let me and the kids know but was always nice about it. We love her! Her FB’s (favorite besties) will miss her frank conversations and her delicious “Eva lunches”!
Eva will be long remembered for her service to the staff, students and community.
Roberta Winrod came to Lander County in July of 1981. She began her teaching career in Austin, Nevada where she was the 1first-second grade combined teacher. Over the span of 30 years she taught all elementary grades, K-5.
In 2011 she moved to Battle Mountain to take the second grade position and then moved to third grade where she finished her teaching career. Roberta retired with 2,300 hours of sick leave, which far surpasses the total amount teachers can be compensated for when they retire. The amazing thing about these hours is that Roberta took 3, count them, three maternity leaves and she still had that amount of sick leave. “She was absolutely one of the most dedicated teachers Lander County has seen!” said one teacher. “I loved her as my child’s teacher because she kept her thumb on him and he needed that!
Said a past student’s parent. Roberta lead the way with Accelerated Reader by consistently helping all her students make their goal quarter after quarter. “Because of that, I feel her students made growth with their Reading throughout the years.”
Said Librarian Nelly Dominguez. Roberta will be long remembered for her consistency with students, great rapport with parents and willingness to get in there and make the school better!
Lander County was lucky to have these two women in the district. Mr. Russell Klein, Superintendent, announced that the district will be creating a retirement wall to honor those employees who retire with 20 years or more of service to Lander County School District. Velma Gamble, Roberta Winrod and Eva Gama will be the first of many names to be added to the Wall of Fame.
