When he arrived at George H.W. Bush New Tech Odessa Wednesday morning, Alan Pitt had no idea what awaited him. But it was a pleasant surprise: He was recognized as the Ector County ISD’s School Nurse of the Year.
Pitt, who is based at Ector College Prep Success Academy, received a large placard with his honor on it, a $250 gift card from the Education Foundation, an ECISD swag bag and gift cards for burritos.
He plans to retire at the end of this year. Wednesday was School Nurse Appreciation Day.
“I am overwhelmed,” Pitt said.
He added that he was very surprised and did not expect this recognition to come his way.
“There are many other nurses that are more deserving than me, but I appreciate the honor,” Pitt added. This is the end of Pitt’s 20th year with the district. He has been at Ector for the past four years; he was at Permian High School for 14 years and split time between Burnet Elementary and Wilson and Young and Bonham middle schools.
A native Odessan, Pitt earned his nursing degree at Odessa College. He decided on school nursing because “at the time, my wife was studying to become a teacher.”
“She was in the process of certification. We wanted to be able to have the same work schedule and it was a good opportunity,” Pitt said.
He and his wife have four children and six grandchildren.
Director of Nursing Services Becky Rhodes said Pitt is very deserving of the award.
“He is quiet and calm in the chaos. He’s a great mentor to our new nurses and he’s just an all-around really great nurse,” Rhodes said.
