Dom Barrett, a MTSS Specialist at East High School
"Mr. Dom Barrett hit the school year running this fall and has kept our attendance rate above 90%. There have been many changes to attendance this year and he has made a huge effort in communicating these changes to staff, parents, and students. Mr. Barrett has been a great attendance team leader and has been working very hard with students to ensure they are coming to school to be successful. Congratulations Dom!"
Jenni Koch, a first-grade teacher at Perry Creek Elementary School
"Jenni is a respected teacher by all staff who goes above and beyond as a first-grade teacher! She is a leader on her Professional Learning Community (PLC) team, helps with resources for all staff, and makes every day creative for her students! She sets up engaging and motivating lessons for her students to work and have fun while they do. We appreciate all of her leadership at Perry Creek!"
Sarah Van Whye, a kindergarten teacher at Loess Hills Computer Programming Elementary School.
"Sarah consistently goes above and beyond for her students, demonstrating a deep commitment to their success and well-being. She greets each student with a warm smile, and her approach to teaching is rooted in compassion, patience, and understanding. Sarah is intentional about highlighting students' positive behaviors, creating an environment where kindness, respect, and consistency thrive. Her ability to balance these qualities is a testament to her dedication as an educator.
The care Sarah has for her students is evident in everything she does, and it is clear that she genuinely wants each child to succeed. Her positive impact extends beyond her students as she is also an inspiring presence for her colleagues. Sarah is highly knowledgeable and always willing to share her expertise, offering support to fellow educators whenever needed.
We are incredibly grateful for Sarah's unwavering dedication and the positive influence she has on both her students and the Loess Hills community as a whole."
Karl Clark, a special education instructional assistant at Morningside STEM Elementary School
Staff at Morningside said the following about Karl, "Karl always has a smile on his face and a welcoming hello to students and staff. He is also very caring and passionate about his position to serve others, sharing how amazing it is to be a part of our school. Congratulations, Karl!"
Cody Proctor, a teacher at West High School
"Cody is a huge asset to West High School. A colleague said the following about Cody, "Cody is welcoming and supportive of others. His willingness to let me take some of his class time to deliver Xello was appreciated." A student said the following about Cody, "Cody is very energetic and always puts a smile on our faces. He makes the most unappealing topics seem fun and engaging." Congratulations, Cody!
Natalie Poland, a first-grade teacher at Hunt A+ Arts Elementary School
"Ms. Poland is very positive with staff and students. She cares about all our students and starts interventions right away for students who need extra support in the classroom. She is a valued member of our Building Leadership Team (BLT) for foundations and is an excellent teacher! We are so glad she is a part of our Hunt family!"
Candice Schoenherr, a third-grade teacher at Spalding Park Environmental Sciences Elementary School
"Candice continues to be a leader not only for our third-grade team but for the school as well. She leads our Professional Learning Communities (PLCs) and is on our Building Leadership Team (BLT), She always ensures staff have what they need to be successful. Spalding is privileged to have Candice as a teacher. She continues to be a light for not only the staff but for the students as well! Candice deserves to be recognized as a person who goes above and beyond the teaching standards."
Cindy Foland, a middle school curriculum facilitator at the Educational Service Center
A fellow peer said Cindy is recognized throughout the District for her willingness to help others. They said, “Cindy always has a positive attitude, constantly helps others, and is universally loved by science teachers in the District.”
Jeremy Dumkreiger, an art teacher at Bryant Elementary School
"Mr. Dumkrieger has been a great addition to Bryant in recent years. He is creative, makes connections with students both inside and outside of school, and is intentional in creating routines and structures to support students. We are proud to have him as a Bryant Bear!"
Jessica Strong, a special education teacher at Riverside Elementary School
Marissa Haire said the following about Jessica in her nomination, "Jessica always goes above and beyond for our students, but also when we are short-staffed. She tries to make sure we are all covered no matter what!" Val McCleary also added, "This is Jessica’s first year of teaching, and she is doing a great job!"
Emily Mogensen & Elizabeth Walz, third-grade teachers at Leeds Elementary School
"Their outstanding contributions to the school community, particularly their exceptional work on the school gardens and your tireless efforts in organizing the Leeds Elementary School Annual Harvest Party have been amazing. The dedication this duo has to the gardens has not only transformed the outdoor beds into a beautiful and thriving environment, but it has also created valuable learning opportunities for students. The countless hours they, along with the Garden Committee, have spent after school, on weekends, and even throughout the summer, have truly paid off. Their hands-on involvement, thoughtful planning, and enthusiasm for teaching kids about nature and sustainability have left a lasting impact on the school and the students they serve.
Once again, the Harvest Party was a resounding success, and much of that can be attributed to their meticulous planning and coordination. From organizing volunteers to ensuring every detail was in place, they went above and beyond to make the event a fun and memorable experience for the entire school community. The time they dedicated—often outside of regular work hours—was integral to the event’s success.
Their commitment, creativity, and hard work do not go unnoticed. They have truly made a difference, and everyone at Leeds is incredibly grateful for all that they do. Their positive energy, passion for education, and willingness to go the extra mile set an inspiring example for everyone at Leeds. We are lucky to have them a part of our team!"
Bill Meacham, an autism spectrum disorder (ASD) teacher at North Middle School
"Bill is extremely dedicated and provides outstanding support to the students he serves on the ASD caseload. He demonstrates a high level of professionalism and patience when working in partnership with parents and teachers to accommodate students' academic, behavioral, physical, and social-emotional needs. He also coached North Middle eighth-grade football this fall. Thank you, Mr. Meacham, for all that you do for North Middle students and staff!
Kristina Bennett, a special education teacher at Nodland Elementary School
"Kristina goes the extra mile to ensure all students who receive special education services are given the tools they need for success. She is such a great advocate for each student and takes the time to get to know their strengths and interests. She works closely with classroom teachers, specialists, and paraprofessionals to ensure all are on the same page. If she does not know something, she is great at seeking out and finding the answer to whatever it is to ensure her success as well! We are extremely grateful she is serving our Future Raiders!"
Jillian Hixson, a seventh-grade reading teacher at East Middle School
"Jillian continues to impress us with the way that she finds creative ways to approach students, brings diverse learning opportunities at all students' levels, and has a kind and welcoming presence and spirit to all students. She has a continual mindset of process improvement and high engagement tailoring a love of reading and skills-based strategies in order to meet the needs of each and every learner. Jillian consistently plans well in a very practical and purposeful way, has a caring heart, and has developed outstanding relationships with students. Congratulations!"
Shelly Miller, a food service team member at Harry Hopkins (Main Kitchen)
"Shelly is a very dedicated hard working staff member. She pays attention to detail and wants to do the best she can do and make sure it is done right. Thank you for all you do, Shelly! Your hard work does not go unnoticed."
Kathryn Fairchild, an English teacher at West Middle School
"Mrs. Fairchild is a person who really cares about her students, and what they are learning. She is always finding the most engaging lessons to make English class an environment that promotes a high level of learning while giving a variety of methods for students to learn. Her knowledge and expertise in the content is astounding! She is a contributing member of the academic Building Leadership Team (BLT), and promotes reflective practices to inspire and grow her colleagues' professional practice!"
Lindy Pedersen, a building service technician at Irving Dual Language Elementary School
"Mr. Pederson really helped Irving for a few months this fall before moving buildings. He went above and beyond to keep our learning spaces and school grounds impeccable. His friendly disposition made many staff and students' day. Thank you, Mr. Pedersen, for supporting our school! Your support did not go unnoticed!"
Janna Mix-Huot, a fifth-grade teacher at Liberty Elementary School
"Mrs. Mix joined our fifth-grade team this fall. In her first semester here at Liberty, she has been a positive force not only in her classroom but across the building. Mrs. Mix jumped in and has supported a variety of our student activities including Drum Club, House Committee, Running Club, and Dance Club. Within the government unit, she recently organized voting for fifth-grade students, which was highlighted in the media. She worked with co-sponsors to have our Dance Club students join the Parade of Lights this fall, too. From going all out with her house team to infusing fun and exciting events within the classroom, Janna has gone 'all-in' to support our students. We are lucky to have her making it happen here at Liberty!"
Tamie Farrer, an Early Childhood Special Education (ECSE) teacher at Clark Early Childhood Center
"Tamie has faced some adverse scenarios lately. She has worked hard to stay positive and be a team player. She is thoughtful and kind. She is a great member to have on our preschool team!"