Capturing Carroll Collectively

Administrative+assistant+and+bookkeeper+Montie+Carroll+takes+care+of+much+of+the+business+that+keeps+the+school+running.

Haley James

Administrative assistant and bookkeeper Montie Carroll takes care of much of the business that keeps the school running.

She arrives at work at 7:15 a.m. every morning. Immediately, she is taking calls and aligning papers for the principal.

Administrative assistant and bookkeeper Montie Carroll works at least eight hours every day. Being an administrative assistant, Carroll is responsible for Rider’s budget and many other activities.

From reconciling money turned in by students, teachers and school groups and banking them every day, to ordering supplies for teachers and checking supply inventory, Carroll organizes events for the school daily.

“Mrs. Carroll is Mrs. Do-It-All,” Principal Dee Palmore said. “And she does an awesome job of doing it.”

Eight years ago, Carroll was searching for a new job in the WFISD. She was hired as administrative assistant and bookkeeper at Rider. The switch was just what Carroll needed, she said.

“I was ready for a change in the job that I was doing here in the school district,” Carroll said. “I was just very lucky that this one came open.”

Carroll also assists the staff by screening phone calls to the correct administrator and enforcing school policies.

Palmore said Carroll keeps him on track.

“She is what makes this place run as smoothly as it does,” Palmore said. “That’s just the bottom line.”

Since Carroll began working here, teachers have been very appreciative of all the assistance she has provided and is “always pleasant” testing coordinator Stephanie Mullens said.

“She’s good at her job and she makes everybody feel comfortable,” Mullens said. “She’s professional and just a good person.”

Carroll has organized events such as the teacher breakfast for when the staff returned to work in August.

“I don’t ever want to be up front,” Carroll said. “I want to be in the shadows, back here, seeing everybody enjoying what we do here. It doesn’t sound like a lot just talking about it, but when you watch it in action it’s pretty crazy.”

Although Carroll’s job keeps her busy, she said she sees Rider as her second home.

“I don’t mind coming to Rider every day,” she said. “It’s because it’s home. Every day is a different day here, and it’s just awesome.”