Bryant Elementary School -

A grateful colleague said the following about Keith in their nomination, "Chap [Keith] does a great job building relationships with all of our students here at Unity. He brings a bright, positive energy to our school. We are so grateful for all of his hard work and support. Chap, thanks for all you do to make Unity a better place!"

Kudos to Kaitlyn Reynolds, a second-grade teacher at Perry Creek Elementary School.

Angie Conway said the following about Kaitlyn in their nomination, "Miss Reynolds came to Perry Creek this year and has created such a positive, loving, caring environment in her classroom and throughout the school. I have had the pleasure of getting to see her passion for her students and their well-being each day! She creates so many great experiences for our students. Her kindness and spunk is infectious! She is one of the best!"

Kudos to Mariah Stusse, a registrar at Unity Elementary School.

A grateful colleague said the following about Mariah in their nomination, "Shout out to the amazing Mariah Stusse! Her dedication, organization, and hard work behind the scenes keeps our school running smoothly. She handles every challenge with grace and flexibility. Mariah always put the needs of students, teachers, and staff first whether she's managing schedules or answering countless questions, she is truly a backbone for our school. I cannot thank her enough for all she does!"

Kudos to Kenzy Faycosch, an instructional assistant at Spalding Park Environmental Sciences Elementary School.

A grateful colleague said the following about Kenzy in their nomination, "Kenzy goes above and beyond for students, not only in her room, but throughout the entire school. Her loving and caring heart makes me worry less that all students at Spalding are in good hands. Kudos, Kenzie!"

Kudos to Denise Oakley, a second-grade teacher at Perry Creek Elementary School.

A grateful colleague said the following about Denise in their nomination, "Denise is a great asset to Perry Creek. She has been an amazing mentor. She goes above and beyond for both her students and colleagues. Denise works hard to make sure students are getting the best support possible. I do not know what I would do without her guidance and support. Her behind-the-scenes support has been so helpful and deserves to be recognized!"

Kudos to Rachel Rogers, an office assistant at Nodland Elementary School.

A grateful colleague said the following about Rachel in their nomination, "Rachel is an extraordinary staff member. She helps wherever she is needed and is so fun to be around! The kids love seeing her, and her hard work and patience within the job do not go unnoticed. Keep it up, Rachel!"

Kudos to Chris Hanson, a choir teacher at East Middle School.

A grateful colleague said the following about Chris in their nomination, "Mr. Hanson is an exceptional music teacher. He engages all of his students and provides them a safe environment to learn. His lessons are fun and the students truly enjoy his class. I love seeing how he accommodates for all students and he always has a smile on his face inside and outside the classroom. East Middle School is lucky to have him on our team! Thank you for all you do, Mr. Hanson. Your hard work and determination are valued every day!"

Kudos to Kendra Richter, a seventh-grade math teacher at East Middle School.

A grateful colleague said the following about Kendra in their nomination, "Mrs. Richter has gone out of her way to assist in times of need. She does not hesitate to help when we need help and I am more grateful to you than you will ever know, thank you!"

Kudos to Molly Boatman, a math teacher at North High School.

A grateful colleague said the following about Molly in their nomination, "No one works harder than Molly. Her dedication and hard work help make North High a better place. Students in our Freshman House exhibit so much growth throughout their freshman year thanks to Molly. Both her and the rest of the freshman team help build a great learning community, making so much growth possible for our students. Molly consistently goes above and beyond to create an inclusive, inspiring, and supportive environment for both students and staff. She always brings a much appreciated spark of light and joy to each day. Thank you, Molly!"

Kudos to Jana Bauer, a third-grader teacher at Perry Creek Elementary School.

Emmy Cooper said the following about Jana in their nomination, "Jana is a vital asset on our third-grade team. She is a calming presence for students and staff alike. Jana is dedicated to her students and works to ensure all students' needs are being met. The third-grade team is grateful for all Jana has to offer."

Kudos to Peyton George, a third-grade teacher at Perry Creek Elementary School.

Emmy Cooper said the following about Peyton in their nomination, "Peyton recently started at Perry Creek and has quickly become a valued member of our team. Peyton works collaboratively with her team, reaches out to resource teachers, and volunteers to help with projects. She is a vital member of our team and well loved by her students. We are lucky to have Peyton at Perry Creek!"

Kudos to Jill Sharp, a foundations teacher at Spalding Park Environmental Sciences Elementary School.

A grateful colleague said the following about Jill in their nomination, "Jill stepped in when we needed a teacher, and blessed us by deciding to stay until the end of the school year. The short time she has been in the classroom, I've seen our students thrive and grow in leaps and bounds. Kudos, Jill!"

#Kudos to Melissa Marshall, a foundations paraprofessional at Liberty Elementary School.

Erin Richardson said the following about Melissa in their nomination, "Melissa has been in my room for three years now, always arriving on time and ready to start the day. She goes the extra mile to understand students with the most significant needs and has shown tremendous growth over the years. Melissa also takes the time to connect with her colleagues on a personal level. She never shies away from a question and is always willing to help when she can—all while attending college and supporting her family. Thank you, Melissa, for everything you do for our students and me!"

#Kudos to Michelle Moser, a second-grade teacher at Unity Elementary School.

A grateful colleague said the following about Michelle in their nomination, "Kudos to Michelle Moser her outstanding dedication, hard work, and passion for education. She creates a warm, engaging, and supportive classroom environment where every student feels valued and encouraged. She fosters creativity, critical thinking, and a love for learning in every child, helping them build a strong foundation for future academic success. She is also an invaluable leader of our school community, not only on a building level, but on a district level as well. Her knowledge and support of benchmark has been crucial as we begin to navigate this new curriculum. Thank you, Michelle, for your continuous commitment to making a positive impact in the lives of your students and our school. Your hard work and enthusiasm are deeply appreciated!"

#Kudos to Stacey Vondrak, a third-grade teacher at Perry Creek Elementary School.

Emmy Cooper said the following about Stacey in their nomination, "Stacey recently joined our third-grade team and we're so grateful to have her. She shares valuable resources with her teammates to enhance student learning. We appreciate all she does for her students and team. Kudos, Stacey!"

#Kudos to Blair Taylor, principal at Nodland & Sunnyside Elementary School.

A grateful parent said the following about Blair in their nomination, "We want to extend a heartfelt thank you to Blair Taylor for his outstanding support and compassion in assisting one of our school families during a time of great hardship. When the family tragically lost their home in a fire, Blair stepped in in with unwavering dedication to ensure they had the help they needed. From providing emotional support to connecting them with essential resources, Blair demonstrated exceptional leadership and care. His actions not only uplifted the family but also set a shining example of how we can come together as a school community in times of need. His kindness and commitment to our students and their families do not go unnoticed, and we are incredibly fortunate to have him at the helm. Thank you for making a difference!"

Shijan Oehlerking said the following about Blair in their nomination, "I want to take a moment to express a deep appreciation for Blair Taylor. He is truly irreplaceable and has done an exceptional job of building strong relationships with students, staff, and families. As the principal of both Sunnyside and Nodland, he goes above and beyond every day—navigating the unique challenges of leading two buildings with dedication and grace. His commitment to fostering a positive, inclusive, and innovative environment has made a remarkable difference across both schools. I am especially grateful for his support of our IEP teams and his thoughtful approach to making the best decisions for students and staff. Blair leads with compassion, vision, and tireless work ethic—creating a place where learning and growth thrive. Thank you for all that you do to shape our future and support our school community!"

#Kudos to Joe Parkhill, a Warehouse Manager at Central Kitchen (Harry Hopkins).

A grateful colleague said the following about Joe in their nomination, "Joe demonstrates exceptional dedication to his role, consistently being available to support every school manager, providing guidance and encouragement as needed. Thank you, Joe! Your efforts are crucial in ensuring that every building has food to feed all children."

#Kudos to Emily Cole, a music teacher at Bryant Elementary School.

A grateful colleague said the following about Emily in their nomination, "Emily has consistently dedicated herself to supporting her students and the teachers at Bryant Elementary. She played a crucial role in helping me adjust to a new school environment, guiding me through its systems, procedures, and policies with patience and clarity. Her warm and welcoming demeanor, always accompanied by a smile, makes a positive impact on everyone she encounters. Emily truly embodies the spirit of a dedicated teacher. Kudos, Mrs. Cole!"

#Kudos to Emmy Cooper, a third-grade teacher at Perry Creek Elementary School.

Peyton George said the following about Emmy in their nomination, "Emmy Cooper is very passionate about supporting both students and staff. She has been so supportive since I joined the third-grade team. Her dedication, hard work, and collaboration have made such a positive impact. Keep it up, Emmy!"