#Kudos to Stacey Dunn, an Office Assistant at North Middle School.
A grateful colleague shared the following about Stacey:
"Stacey is always willing to help students and staff alike. She is welcoming, friendly, dependable, and has a great sense of humor, which makes her a great colleague. Stacey is always up for the daily challenge of working with such a large school setting. Thank you, Stacey!"
#Kudos to Blair Taylor, a Principal at Nodland & Sunnyside Elementary School.
Crystal Barrett shared the following about Blair:
"As a parent, I thought principals were always in meetings and doing paperwork. Now, as an employee working at Nodland, I can see that our principal, Blair Taylor, helps wherever he can. He has come to the lunchroom several times to help kids open things or just to see how we are doing. Before working at Nodland, I had barely seen a principal at another school, let alone having one helping us. Today, he helped clear tables as I was cleaning them, and I expressed my appreciation to him. I just thought everyone else should know as well."
#Kudos to Amber Porter, an Instructional Assistant at Loess Hills Computer Programming Elementary School.
A grateful colleague shared the following about Amber:
"Amber goes above and beyond each day in her role as an instructional assistant. Not only does she provide exceptional support to the students she works with, but she also extends her care and assistance to other students and staff, especially during lunch and recess. When addressing student behaviors, Amber consistently shows compassion and understanding while also holding students accountable for their actions. Her calm, supportive presence helps students feel valued and respected, while guiding them toward making better choices. Amber’s dedication, kindness, and professionalism make a positive difference for our students and staff. We are so grateful to have her as part of the Loess Hills team!"
#Kudos to Jade Besh, a first-grade teacher at Riverside Elementary School.
A grateful parent shared the following about Jade:
"I would love to give kudos to Mrs. Besh! My son absolutely loves school because of her. He has learned so much already this school year. I appreciate Mrs. Besh going above and beyond whether it’s sending home the lunch menu for the month, communicating with us as parents, and being so kind hearted to her students - she is amazing! My son loved that Mrs. Besh participated in dress up days for homecoming week. He said she is the coolest teacher ever! A kind soul and patience creates amazing teachers like Mrs. Besh! We are so grateful for her!"
#Kudos to Pat Hodgins, a bus driver in the transportation department.
A grateful colleague shared the following about Pat:
"Our department had the privilege of having Pat as our driver recently. She was so gracious and thoughtful through the very stressful day to the students and directors. But most of all, I appreciated how she talked about her regular route kids. She talked about how she makes their bus a special refuge for her students and how much she adores each one of them. As a mother and educator in this system, it is such a blessing to have people who care this much at every part of our student's day. Thank Pat for being you!"
#Kudos to Kayla Murphy, an eighth-grade reading teacher at North Middle School.
A grateful colleague shared the following about Kayla:
"Kayla has consistently gone above and beyond in supporting her building’s implementation of the District’s new progress-monitoring program. She maintains an exceptionally positive attitude toward the initiative and is always willing to assist colleagues as they learn about the system. In addition, she has proactively supported her teammate’s substitute by managing progress-monitoring goals during her teammate’s leave. Kayla also motivates and encourages students in thoughtful, varied ways to help them perform their best during progress-monitoring. Your hard work does not go unnoticed, Kayla!"
#Kudos to Lindsey Seibold, a Kindergarten Teacher at Bryant Elementary School.
Teresa Sutton shared the following about Lindsey:
"Lindsey is a new teacher and new to Bryant this year, but she already has made a positive impact on her students and has shown her talent and passion for teaching. Lindsey always has an enthusiastic and positive attitude while teaching her kindergarten students and goes out of her way to use restorative practices in her room.
The empathy and compassion she has for her students is clear and she is always willing to do what she can to help meet the diverse needs of all the learners in her classroom, whether that involves helping students with additional supports or using positive reinforcement to encourage her students to make good choices. Kudos, Lindsey!"
#Kudos to Jaime Woodard, a Special Education Co-Teacher at West Middle School.
A grateful colleague shared the following about Jaime:
"Jaime consistently goes above and beyond to support the students in her classroom. Her engaging teaching style fosters a positive learning environment, and she collaborates seamlessly with her co-teacher. Jaime is deeply passionate about ensuring that every student receives the individualized support they need and is committed to helping them make meaningful growth. She is a strong advocate for her students and works diligently to ensure they have every opportunity to succeed."
#Kudos to Vicki Van Dyke, a Math Curriculum Facilitator for the District.
Carrie Gilmore shared the following about Vicki:
"I am nominating Vicki because she demonstrates genuine dedication to her work and supports teachers with professionalism and without judgment. I've had the privilege of working with her for several years, during which she has greatly deepened my understanding of mathematics. She has guided me in analyzing data, forming instructional groups, and refining my teaching practices. Vicki has modeled lessons, made real-time adjustments to meet student needs, and consistently offered patient, thoughtful support. I am truly grateful for her continued commitment and expertise."
#Kudos to Mark Moos, a Native American Tutor at Liberty Elementary School.
A grateful colleague shared the following about Mark:
"Mr. Moos is a dedicated staff member who consistently goes above and beyond to support our students and other staff members. He works with many students throughout the school day. They think very highly of him and look forward to their time with him each day. He was recently absent for a few days and students could not wait for him to return. They were so excited when he came back! He greets our students in the morning in the crosswalk and wishes them well at the end of the day as they leave. After a recent snow, he took it upon himself to shovel some additional areas to make things safer during arrival and dismissal. His conscientious support in and outside the classroom is such a big asset to Liberty! Kudos, Mr. Moos!"
#Kudos to Laura Donaldson-McGuire, a third-grade teacher at Liberty Elementary School.
A grateful colleague shared the following about Laura:
"I would like to take a moment to recognize Laura for the truly exceptional work she does as a third-grade teacher. From a colleague's perspective, it is clear that Laura approaches her role with a genuine heart and intention. Working with her is a breath of fresh air; I could only hope that my own children have a teacher as wonderful and lovely as she is. She treats every student with remarkable kindness, compassion, and empathy, taking the time to truly understand each child as an individual. Laura has an incredible ability to meet her students exactly where they are—academically, emotionally, and socially—creating a classroom environment where students feel safe, respected, and valued. Her nurturing presence helps students feel supported and confident, allowing them to grow not only as learners, but as people.
What truly sets Laura apart is the depth of care she shows for her students every single day. She goes above and beyond to ensure that each child feels seen, heard, and encouraged, always leading with patience and understanding. Her nurturing nature is evident in the way she listens, guides, and advocates for her students, making meaningful connections that leave a lasting impact. Laura’s dedication and genuine love for her students shine through in all that she does, and the way she cares for and treats them is truly above and beyond. She is an incredible educator, an invaluable teammate, and a gift to our school community. ❤️"
#Kudos to Whitney Wanderscheid, a counselor at Loess Hills Computer Programming Elementary School.
A grateful colleague shared the following about Whitney:
"Ms. Whitney Wanderschied is an invaluable asset to Loess Hills, demonstrating unwavering dedication to the emotional and academic success of our students. Her tireless commitment to meeting the diverse needs of every child shines through in everything she does. Whether she’s providing individual support, teaching lessons in a classroom, developing 504 plans in collaboration with teachers, or stepping in to help resolve challenging situations, Whitney approaches each task with compassion, professionalism, and a genuine desire to make a difference. Her efforts ensure that every student feels seen, supported, and capable of success.
Beyond her daily counseling responsibilities, Ms. Wanderschied has taken initiative to enrich our school community through leadership and character-building opportunities. She founded the Student Council to give students a voice and a platform to demonstrate their leadership potential, and she has also spearheaded the new Character Ambassador program—an inspiring initiative that encourages kindness, respect, and integrity throughout our school. Whitney’s work goes far beyond her job description; she continuously lifts others up, cultivates a positive school culture, and empowers students to grow into their best selves. Her dedication and heart make her an indispensable part of Loess Hills."
#Kudos to Shari Hageman, a Kindergarten Teacher at Liberty Elementary School.
A grateful parent shared the following about Whitney:
"Shari Hageman goes above and beyond to educate her student. She has high expectations for academics and behaviors and her class performs. My daughter is constantly talking about what she has learned in school. Mrs Hageman even takes it a step farther by doing the extra little things. She had an entire apple themed day with apple themed activities and treats that she had made. These are not things that any teacher has to do but she chooses to do for her class. We are so lucky to have a partner like Mrs. Hageman for our daughter’s education."
#Kudos to Rebecca Thoms, a Special Education Co-Teacher at East Middle School.
A grateful colleague shared the following about Rebecca:
"Rebecca consistently goes above and beyond to ensure her students receive the most appropriate and effective support. She demonstrates a deep commitment to the success and well-being of every student she works with. Rebecca is highly reflective in her instructional practices, thoughtfully considering both what she teaches and how it is delivered. She actively seeks clarification and collaborates closely with team members to ensure her approach effectively meets the diverse needs of all learners in her classroom. East Middle is lucky to have her."