Kirk Kindred was awarded Classified Employee of the Year. Kindred’s journey at Taft High started as a general helper, such as filling in or subbing for people while there were gone.

He then moved up to a mechanic at the bus garage; he drove and fixed the buses. After driving to bus stops and working as a mechanic, he got hired into maintenance. After 15 years of working in maintenance, Kindred is now head of maintenance. After all the experience and hard work he has done, he was nominated as Employee of the Year.

Kindred said, “I’m shocked; it’s crazy that people would think of you and vote for you.” Kindred has done such amazing work inside and outside of the school and (little did we know) before and after school. He comes in at 5 a.m. every day and checks every classroom to see if there are any issues before the students come. He said, “I want it to be safe for the students.” He has greatly enjoyed his experience at Taft High and the students who say a simple, “Good morning,” to him. “There wasn’t one day I wished I worked somewhere else.”

Some of his fellow co-workers said some great things about Kindred and his hard-working attitude. Amanda Trout said, “Kirk is very dependable and he’s willing to help anyone.” Brooke Cimental describes Kindred by saying he’s, “Always helping and making people laugh; there is never a dull moment with him. He sheds light on dark situations and makes it better.” Michelle Mercado added, “He responds quickly when something needs to be fixed and he makes us laugh.” As his journey keeps moving forward, he will enjoy each and every day.

On Wednesday, Lori Blodorn, human resources manager, announced, “I could not be more excited to share with you that Kirk Kindred has been selected by the Kern County Superintendent of Schools as the Classified Employee of the Year in the MOT Category.  Kirk’s nomination is now moved on to the California Department of Education for review by the state selection committee!!  Final decisions will be made at the state level in April.” Kindred will represent Kern County classified employees at the state level.