BMO Harris Bank Volunteer of the Month
Amy Murphy is one of the most recognizable volunteers at Gombert Elementary School. Over the past nine years, she has served as president and vice president of the PTA and chaired many committees, including teacher appreciation, family movie nights, fifth-grade farewell t-shirts and the PTA's newsletter. She also has recruited and collaborated with dozens of volunteers. The only time you won’t see her smiling face is when she dons the “Gryff the Gator” costume, but her exuberant personality can’t be hidden because as Gombert’s mascot, she dances, poses for pictures and high-fives every student she meets. For her dedication and commitment, she is being recognized as the District 204 BMO Harris Bank Volunteer of the Month.
“I am honored and humbled by the recognition. It was completely unexpected, but much appreciated,” she said.
Amy began volunteering when her oldest son started kindergarten at Gombert. A former full-time classroom teacher, she and her husband, Steven, and their three children, Conor, Shane and Aidan, live in Aurora.
“Volunteering is a wonderful opportunity to give back to my children’s school and enhance their learning environment, as well as make school a place that students look forward to experiencing,” she said.
One of her favorite memories was when a student came up to her at the Daddy Daughter Dance and told Amy she was having, “the best time ever and wished the night would never end.” Amy also coordinated the school’s largest event, the Monster Bash. Part fun fair and part costume party, a haunted house takes over the entire second floor of the school and has a different theme every year.
As she looked back over her nine years of volunteering, Amy said, “Volunteerism offers many rewards. While I hope my efforts have a positive impact on the entire school, the reality is that the rewards are reciprocated. I truly enjoyed all of my experiences working with the kids as well as interacting with the teachers and parents.”
Perhaps Gombert Principal Jeremy Ricken summed up Amy’s contributions best. In his nomination letter he said, “She will leave a legacy of servant leadership, collaboration and engagement as her youngest son moves on to Still Middle School next fall. She has truly defined what it means to serve others through her volunteer efforts over the last nine years.”
BMO Harris Bank is helping District 204 recognize one volunteer each month who has generously given his or her time to support District 204’s students and schools. To celebrate these outstanding volunteers, BMO Harris Bank is donating $1,000 to the volunteer's school. To nominate an outstanding volunteer, visit http://www.ipsd.org/Subpage.aspx/Volunteer.
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Long-time Gombert Elementary volunteer Amy Murphy was selected as the District 204 BMO Harris Bank Volunteer of the Month for April.
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Photo (l to r) Christina DeGustino, Market President – BMO Harris Bank-Aurora, Amy Murphy, District 204 BMO Harris Bank Volunteer of the Month recipient, and Gombert Elementary Principal, Dr. Jeremy Ricken.![]()
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Amy Murphy is one of the most recognizable volunteers at Gombert Elementary School. Over the past nine years, she has served as president and vice president of the PTA and chaired many committees, including teacher appreciation, family movie nights, fifth-grade farewell t-shirts and the PTA's newsletter. She also has recruited and collaborated with dozens of volunteers. The only time you won’t see her smiling face is when she dons the “Gryff the Gator” costume, but her exuberant personality can’t be hidden because as Gombert’s mascot, she dances, poses for pictures and high-fives every student she meets. For her dedication and commitment, she is being recognized as the District 204 BMO Harris Bank Volunteer of the Month.
“I am honored and humbled by the recognition. It was completely unexpected, but much appreciated,” she said.
Amy began volunteering when her oldest son started kindergarten at Gombert. A former full-time classroom teacher, she and her husband, Steven, and their three children, Conor, Shane and Aidan, live in Aurora.
“Volunteering is a wonderful opportunity to give back to my children’s school and enhance their learning environment, as well as make school a place that students look forward to experiencing,” she said.
One of her favorite memories was when a student came up to her at the Daddy Daughter Dance and told Amy she was having, “the best time ever and wished the night would never end.” Amy also coordinated the school’s largest event, the Monster Bash. Part fun fair and part costume party, a haunted house takes over the entire second floor of the school and has a different theme every year.
As she looked back over her nine years of volunteering, Amy said, “Volunteerism offers many rewards. While I hope my efforts have a positive impact on the entire school, the reality is that the rewards are reciprocated. I truly enjoyed all of my experiences working with the kids as well as interacting with the teachers and parents.”
Perhaps Gombert Principal Jeremy Ricken summed up Amy’s contributions best. In his nomination letter he said, “She will leave a legacy of servant leadership, collaboration and engagement as her youngest son moves on to Still Middle School next fall. She has truly defined what it means to serve others through her volunteer efforts over the last nine years.”
BMO Harris Bank is helping District 204 recognize one volunteer each month who has generously given his or her time to support District 204’s students and schools. To celebrate these outstanding volunteers, BMO Harris Bank is donating $1,000 to the volunteer's school. To nominate an outstanding volunteer, visit http://www.ipsd.org/Subpage.aspx/Volunteer.
Long-time Gombert Elementary volunteer Amy Murphy was selected as the District 204 BMO Harris Bank Volunteer of the Month for April.
Photo (l to r) Christina DeGustino, Market President – BMO Harris Bank-Aurora, Amy Murphy, District 204 BMO Harris Bank Volunteer of the Month recipient, and Gombert Elementary Principal, Dr. Jeremy Ricken.