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In honor of Black History Month, we want to continue profiling educators, staff and students who make a difference at CICS. This week we would like to profile, Ms. Lentoya Stennis. She is the new CICS Lloyd Bond Office Manager. Read her story and why she loves working in education and at Lloyd Bond. 

Lentoya Stennis is the office manager at CICS Lloyd Bond. Ms. Stennis has always loved education and considered becoming a school counselor or a teacher but knew that teaching wasn’t for her. “I am a forever student,” she said. “I am someone who needs to know and make sense out of the things around me and I love helping other people reach that moment.” She found her place working in administrative roles at schools. She first met Lloyd Bond School Director Tyson Daniel when she worked in Student Supports Services several years ago at CICS Loomis-Longwood. So when Ms. Daniel contacted her, she jumped at the opportunity to return to CICS.

For Ms. Stennis, being an administrator is almost like being a teacher, especially when she is surrounded by kids when schools are in-person. During remote learning, she has stepped into the role of organzing virtual events for students including the Bengal Café, “Where only love and good vibes live.”  During the first week of Black History Month, Lloyd Bond, held a Wednesday celebration where 30 participants had the opportunity to hear poems from Paul Laurence Dunbar as well as original pieces read by Bond educators and staff members. Bond teachers, Ms. Pearman and Ms. Robinson, created a video of first graders reciting “Hey Black Child'' a poem by Countee Cullen. At the conclusion of the virtual event, Bond 5th grade teacher Ms. Morris stole the show with her lead-in and presentation of Langston Hughes’ poem “Mother to Son”.  

For Ms. Stennis, hosting these events are just another way to put something of herself into her work. Her love of the Bond family and community is important to her. “The core value for the month of February at Lloyd Bond is teamwork and I just want to do my part at being a great team player.” Ms. Stennis will continue to provide school staff and teachers with the support they need while also being mindful of how everyone at Lloyd Bond has a role in helping their students to succeed. 

Ms. Stennis has a Bachelor of Arts from Governors State University and an Associate Degree from Westwood College in Graphic Design and Multimedia. She is also an artist and wants to offer students the opportunity to show off their gifts.