Derik Simenson, a 5th-grade teacher at Perry Creek Elementary School
"Mr. Simenson is a wonderful teacher who goes out of his way to support students and staff. He consistently communicates with teachers, and his team, and leads the student council at Perry Creek also. Staff members commend his willingness to go above and beyond. He makes a positive impact on those he works with. We're lucky to have Mr. Simenson at Perry Creek!"
Faith Spicer, a 6th-grade SPED & ELA teacher at North Middle School
"Mrs. Spicer works her absolute hardest to promote student success for learning, behavior, and social-emotional well-being. She is incredibly consistent with parent communication, documentation of individual student plans, and maintaining progress toward goal areas. She contributes innovative ideas in Professional Learning Community (PLC) collaboration and team meetings, which positively impact building-wide systems and practices."
Kaitlin Ballard, a media assistant at Morningside STEM Elementary School
"Kaitlyn is a wonderful addition to our media center and library. She is a person who puts students first and contributes to making the library a homie place for all Eagles. Our Eagles love her, enjoy her sense of humor, and truly appreciate the positive energy she brings to the building! Congratulations, Kaitlin."
Jody Nieuwendorp, a music teacher at Hunt A+ Arts Elementary School
"Ms. Nieuwendorp is a patient and kind teacher who shares her love of music with all students! She always works so hard to get all our students prepared for our Holiday Concert. It is always a beautiful program for our students and our school. You can tell she loves what she does and we are so thankful to have her at Hunt A+ Arts Elementary School!"
Alicia Trobaugh, a 3rd-grade teacher at Riverside Elementary School
Andrew Whitead said the following about Alicia in his nomination, "I am incredibly grateful for my colleague, Alicia Trobaugh, who has been a tremendous help as I navigate my new role here at Riverside. From day one, she made sure I felt welcomed and supported. Alicia has always been patient and willing to answer my questions, no matter how small, and has taken the time to explain things in a way that makes them easy to understand. Her positive attitude and willingness to share her knowledge has made the transition to Riverside much smoother, and I truly appreciate her kindness and generosity in helping me settle in." Nancy Staab said the following in her nomination, "Alicia is our 'silent partner' here at Riverside. I have worked with her for many years. We taught Kindergarten together years ago. She always had great input when we were planning together. If you ask for her input, she will share her knowledge with you. Do not be fooled by her quiet demeanor though, because she is a strong, knowledgeable teacher! She is well-respected by her peers and her students. We're grateful for you, Alicia!"
Aaron Clark, an MTSS specialist at Loess Hills Computer Programming Elementary School
"Mr. Clark consistently goes above and beyond to support students, families, and staff. He ensures that our school is not only safe but also a thriving environment where students achieve meaningful progress in both their social-emotional and academic learning. He communicates effectively and efficiently with families about student progress, all while handling a variety of responsibilities with grace and dedication. No matter the day—whether bright and shining or dark and stormy—Aaron greets everyone with a smile. His positivity, commitment, and hard work are essential to keeping our school running smoothly and ensuring that our students remain on the path to success. Thank you, Mr. Clark, for all that you do to make a difference in our school community!"
Jen Smith, a teacher at West High School
"Mrs. Smith is a part of the District mentor team and the District math curriculum team. She works hard in the classroom teaching students Algebra and Geometry concepts. We appreciate her hard work and dedication to West High! Congratulations, Mrs. Smith!"
Paige Dunkel. a Title I teacher at Irving Dual Language Elementary School
"Mrs. Dunkel has been a cheerleader and for advocate for our students and our school. Most recently she worked with community partners to offer our students the opportunity to learn from different community leaders as they shared how they contribute to our community. We had a lot of support including a tow truck, snow plow, crane, and a helicopter landing at Irving. Our students had an unforgettable experience! Thank you, Mrs. Dunkel, for your visionary mindset and the hard work you do each day!"
Laurie Kistner. an ELL tutor at Leeds Elementary School
"Laurie is a positive, consistent figure in the lives of our students at Leeds Elementary School. Her dedication as a long-time Instructional Assistant, and most recently as a tutor supporting our children with English as a Second Language, has been invaluable to our school community. Laurie’s impact goes beyond her instructional role; every morning, she welcomes students at the front door with a friendly smile and kind voice, setting a positive tone for their day. Her compassionate approach helps build trust and confidence among students, especially those navigating the challenges of learning a new language. Laurie has a natural ability to connect with children, ensuring they feel supported, valued, and ready to learn. She not only focuses on academic growth but also takes the time to celebrate each student's progress, fostering a sense of pride and accomplishment. Laurie’s dedication to our school is an inspiration to both her colleagues and students. Her unwavering commitment to creating an inclusive, welcoming environment exemplifies the core values of Leeds Elementary. Whether through her supportive presence in the classroom or her cheerful greetings in the morning, Laurie Kistner makes a lasting difference in the lives of everyone she encounters. Thank you, Laurie, for your hard work, kindness, and the positive impact you have on our school every single day!"
Tracy Heinemann, an office manager and registrar at Spalding Park Environmental Sciences Elementary School
"Tracy is always there to answer questions and to help in any way. She is the office 'mom' to many staff. We are thankful for her support and cheery attitude. Congratulations, Tracy!"
Lynda Grasso, a science teacher at East Middle School
A team member said the following about Lynda, "Ms. Grasso has been proactive in bringing in ideas and materials for labs and discoveries and is a very supportive team member. Being new to East Middle, I’ve appreciated the way she’s gone above and beyond to help me get settled. She has been fantastic in sharing her science expertise and has been a great teammate, making my transition a lot easier. She’s a huge asset to our school, and I think she deserves some recognition for all she does." A student added, "Ms. Grasso always provides a fun activity, a safe place, and thorough instructions. She always accommodates all of her students' needs and provides interactive assignments to make sure that her students can learn in a way that's enjoyable and easy to understand. Her classroom is a place where students can feel welcome. She always makes sure that each student has equal opportunities in the classroom. She always provides detailed and descriptive instructions for each assignment and even spends extra time with students who need help. Ms. Grasso also ensures her students feel safe in every class. She always makes all of her students feel important and wanted. She is very encouraging and supportive of all her students and their interests. Thank you, Ms. Grasso."
Brian Oelke and Ethan Mikkelson, teachers at West Middle School
A team member said the following, "Both Mr. Oelke and Mr. Mikkleson are dedicated teachers for some of our toughest students. Their patience and compassion for everyone is awe-inspiring. They lead their teams to support each student and to support each other. It has been a true blessing working with both teachers. I believe they deserve to be recognized for their passion for what they do every day. Thank you to Mr. Oelke and Mr. Mikkelson for supporting our students!"
Erin Richardson's Foundations Team at Liberty Elementary School
"Mrs. Erin Richardson and her team of Letesa Craft, Lanie Crippen, Josie Farley, and Melissa Marshall have been working together and supporting one another, capitalizing on their love and dedication to the students they support, as well as one another. Their room recently received two additional students, and they have gone above and beyond to adapt and ensure things continue to function smoothly within their classroom. Their dedication and experience are pivotal to ensuring that each student’s needs are met, as well as their own needs throughout the day. We appreciate the teamwork and camaraderie that this team has developed throughout the years and thank them for their hard work!"
Stefanie Verros, the assistant HR director at the Educational Service Center
Stefanie was nominated by our leadership team for her work ethic, empathy for others, and professionalism. One of Stefanie’s team members said, “Stefanie has a tough job dealing with sensitive and personal subject matters. She does it in a professional and caring manner, making sure all sides are treated fairly. My only regret is not nominating her sooner for this award." Thank you, Stefanie, for your commitment to the District and our team members!
Heather Vedral, the central kitchen manager at Harry Hopkins.
"Heather is a dedicated hard worker and strives to do her best serving the students and staff of the District. Heather always has a smile on her face and is ready to help anyone and everyone. Congratulations Heather, and keep up the great work!