We have amazing staff who are working hard for our students! I’m out to change the world.. one classroom at a time! Kevin Honeycutt.
See how our employees are changing the world, one classroom at a time and Unfolding the Futures of our students! Click here to nominate a staff member!
Alan Schweinfurth: Carver Teacher Alan is described as someone who has jumped in and been great at getting students ready for ISASP. He has done this by creating assessments using Google and Edify tests. These tests help guide his instruction in mathematics. He does a great job in helping students who struggle with getting the content the first time by pulling them during WIN TIME. He sits down with those students and provides them with the one-on-one attention they need. Mr. Schweinfurth is someone who integrates technology into the classroom, and makes it look easy. He then uses that data to meet the needs of each student. His nominator writes, “He is like the godfather when it comes to computer tests–ask Mr. Thune. In 8th grade math he has created several tests used to help our students get ready for ISASP. Mr. Schweinfurth is unfolding futures everyday!”
Stewart Rickert: Expo Teacher Through his work in EXPO’s Middle School Education Discipline Program, Mr. Rickert is described as someone who is able to show students that they are capable of being successful in a school setting. He works really hard to create inviting lessons to engage students in the area of Middle School Social Studies. He teaches three different grade levels in each of four core learning periods, individualizing lessons based on each students’ abilities and needs. Working with up to 32 students within the day, Mr. Rickert is able to create inviting learning activities for even the most reluctant learners. With the successes that the students achieve in this program they are able to transfer these skills successfully back to their home buildings. His nominator writes, “These skills and successes are musts for students to be successful when they return to a more comprehensive learning environment. He also does an amazing job advocating for the students he works with when they return to create amazing plans that are workable within their home buildings.” Thank you, Mr. Rickert, for setting our students up to unfold amazing futures!
Melissa Summers: Bunger Paraeducator Melissa works one-on-one with a student at Bunger. She was hired after the school year started, but has done an excellent job building positive relationships with all the students she encounters. In addition to working with her student on learning social responsibility and exploring his talents and skills, Melissa works to make sure that she is always improving her own skills and knowledge in order to best meet his needs. Her nominator writes, “She is open to any support that staff has given her in her short time with the district. She demonstrates a strong desire and is a positive influence for the students at Bunger.” With Melissa’s support, the student she works with is now smiling, laughing and showing success. Thank you, Melissa, for unfolding amazing futures for our students!
Shelley Siglin: Lou Henry Paraeducator Shelley is described as a ray of sunshine since her first day at Lou Henry for students, staff, parents and community members. She is a general education para so comes into different schedules daily. Whenever she is asked to work with a new or different student, she is always willing to be flexible. Her nominator writes, “Even when she doesn’t know the student or feels apprehensive she will smile and say “I’ll try it!” or “I’ll do my best!” Shelley loves on every student that she comes into contact with and makes them feel special. She genuinely cares about the well being of all the students at Lou Henry and would do anything for them. Shelley has been an amazing addition to Lou Henry and we are so lucky to have her!” Thank you, Shelley, for recognizing the importance of relationships and the trust required for students to grow and succeed. You are unfolding amazing futures in our district!
Brian Guetzlaff: Lowell Teacher Brian is described as a great Lowell team member in all aspects. He is the team leader for the specialist team, part of the PBIS Tier II team, runs extra murals and helps out in whatever ways he can. Brian is willing to work out a plan for students that just need some one-on-one time, shooting hoops or just making their way around the gym a few times. His nominator writes, “This year we have a few 3rd grade students that are struggling a bit with behavior. He set them all up with heart rate monitors so they could see when they were starting to get upset and could take a walk break outside the room. The students are very excited about this and have used the breaks in the classroom. This is just one way that Mr. Guetzlaff has gone above and beyond for our students.” Thank you, Brian, for unfolding futures by going out of your way to help students and staff whenever you can!
John Nemec: Central Instructional Assistant John is described as someone who goes above and beyond in every classroom he is a part of. He treats every student as his own. His nominator writes, “John not only cares about their academic success, but about helping them grow into young men and women of integrity. He volunteers with athletics and is always positive in his interactions. He is patient and kind and a perfect example for our middle school students to look up to. John goes out of his way to inspire kindness in his students. He challenges them to be polite and kind. He’s encouraged my classes to cut down on bullying by trying to notice one kind thing about everyone they meet.He’s a joy to work with every day and I’m fortunate to consider him a co-worker!” Thank you, John, for unfolding great futures for our students!
Da’Querio Brown: Becker Paraeducator Da’Querio is described as a young, energized, patient, happy and laid back individual. His nominator writes, “He comes to work every day with a positive attitude ready to unfold futures. He is a proud new father and had trauma in his own life, so he understands the needs of our students… when a student in our school suffered a huge traumatic experience, he went out of his way to show the student he understands and can relate to help the student move forward!” Thank you, Mr. Brown, for unfolding amazing futures for our students!
Ellen Shay: Ellen Shay, IB Coordinator Ellen is described as someone who not only knows each student in the International Baccalaureate program, but someone who takes the time to really understand them. Her nominator writes, “She forms relationships that create a bond and depth of knowing the individual candidates that shows in her efforts to help each of them develop their full potential. Many of these relationships continue through the students’ college years and into their further lives. Her influence literally guides these students into their future. That is “unfolding” at its core. Specifically, former student Jocelyn Rooff was recently featured in a New York Times article about presidential candidate Elizabeth Warren. Jocelyn has become very active in the Warren campaign. It is this kind of cultural consciousness that Ellen fosters in our students.” Thank you, Ellen for unfolding amazing futures for our students!
Heather Davidson: Heather is described as someone who goes above and beyond to help kids. Her nominator writes, “She sees the good in them even when they are struggling. She made a comment that really hit home. A certain student who struggles was being discussed and she said,”I find him hard not to love”. It definitely made an impact on me. She truly is here for all the right reasons. On a side note she rocks at technology and is the go- to for me when I need help with it.” Thank you, Heather, for unfolding futures for our students with care and compassion!
Jane Kemp-Ulfers: Jane does an outstanding job of facilitating career education for our students. She works closely with Hawkeye to facilitate communication and to assure student success. She helps the Waterloo Career Center teachers be as effective as possible with their students. One nominator writes, “She is working to make sure that her departure due to retirement doesn’t have a negative impact on the WCC and its programs. I know that Mr. Frost and Dr. Lindaman recognize her hard work and the key role she has had in facilitating the success of the WCC.” A second nominator writes, “Jane has been very diligent in helping students find their comfort level at the WCC since it opened. She shows her passion and concern for the students day in and day out. She has a sense of humor that students can relate to!” Thank you, Jane, for dedicating your career to unfolding incredible futures for our students!
Darcy Lewis: Darcy is described as great with students, and especially helpful with challenging students. She comes up with new ways to help them manage their emotions and has been a great partner to problem solve with. Her nominator writes, “I was absent from work because of a tonsillectomy. Darcy kept everything running as smoothly as possible. She made sure the structure, expectations and routines stayed consistent and predictable for our young students. Teachers always worry about how their students are doing when they can’t be at work, but with Darcy I didn’t have to worry at all!” Thank you, Darcy, for unfolding awesome futures for our students!
Emily Johnson: Emily Johnson is described as such an amazing, devoted teacher who strives every day to brighten students’ lives. She makes herself available to her students and parents in person or via email and encourages them to stay in touch with her even after she no longer teaches them. Her nominator writes, “Emily motivates students to want to do better, become better students and people. She helps students feel important and that they matter. She has a student she taught in the past that has difficulty in adapting to new things, surroundings and people. She has opened her classroom to him to use when he needs breaks or somewhere to go to feel safe and secure. She has also told him that even though he is no longer her student, she is still here for him when needed. I feel honored that I get to work with this amazing lady and I get to learn from her everyday.” Thank you, Emily, for unfolding amazing futures for our students!
Sondra Simar: This is Sondra’s second year teaching the dual-language French first grade class at Lou Henry. She is described as someone who cares deeply for her students and wants the best for them. She wants them to be bilingual and is working hard toward that goal. Her nominator writes, “She spends countless hours translating lessons and adapting them to her classroom. It is hard to find French resources here, but she keeps searching and uses her own money to acquire them–she even spent time in France and Canada looking for them! Sondra is selfless and works very hard. She deserves this award to show appreciation for all she does.” Merci (Thank you), Sondra, for unfolding bright futures for our students!
Jennifer Goings: Jen is described as someone who always goes above and beyond for all her students and coworkers. Her nominator writes, “She is one of the most caring and kindest persons at Kittrell. She is always respectful and calm, even if the situation isn’t easy, and makes sure that her students get the best of her and the best education she is able to give them. It is a privilege and honor to work with her and be her coworker.” Thank you, Jen, for unfolding awesome futures for our students!
Anne Schreck: Anne Schreck is described as a bright smiling face for students and staff. Her nominator writes, “No matter the situation she always sees the positive and has a way of connecting with the “unicorns” that is incomparable to anyone I have ever seen. Every morning when the students arrive, Anne is always greeting them and numerous students come into her room to exchange their books with her. Even the toughest students who sometimes have a hard time seeing a reason to smile, smile when they see her. Kevin Honeycutt talked about how every student needs at least one person to connect with and I truly believe that Anne is that person for many of our students here at Irving.” A second nominator adds, “Mrs. Schreck goes above and beyond for the care and well being of our students. She encourages all students, not just students that she meets with, to enjoy and love reading.” Thank you, Anne Schreck for unfolding amazing futures for our students!
Phaedra Roby: Phaedra Roby is described as an amazing teacher. Her nominator writes, “When you come into Mrs.P’s class you know you’re going to learn! If you don’t understand what she’s talking about, she will explain it until you get it. My child had her and I just think she really grew and learned the most.” Thank you, Phaedra, for helping our students get excited about learning and unfolding futures for them as a result!
Lejla Bajramovic: Lejla is described as someone who goes above and beyond when working with her students. She doesn’t hesitate to jump in to help and support classroom teachers. Lejla will meet with both the classroom teacher and student when problems arise maintaining a united front. Her nominator writes, “It is amazing to see her interactions and relationships with our students so early into the school year, knowing that they will be even stronger as the year goes on. Both staff and students adore her! Hoover is lucky to have such an amazing person!” Thank you for unfolding futures for our students in such a positive way!
Margaret Cockhren: Margaret goes out of her way every single day to provide every support possible for her students. She utilizes many of her own resources, like money, time and supplies, to help her students feel comfortable and have fun in the classroom. She truly connects with and cares for each and every student no matter how difficult a task it might be. Her nominator writes, “Working with children who require special needs and attention is no easy task, yet she manages to show immense amounts of compassion and energy every single day and is truly excited to go to work. She has such a passion for the work she gets to do everyday and for helping these kids in anyway she can, it’s inspiring.” Thank you, Margaret, for unfolding our children’s futures by making each child feel special and like they belong!
LTC Glen Keith: Glen Keith truly upholds the leadership spirit of JROTC. He does so much to connect his students to the community and has built relationships with key leaders for the benefit of East and the children we serve. Glen volunteers to head up the Waterloo Youth Council where he empowers young people to be active citizens through meetings with the mayor and other city leaders. Thank you, Glen Keith, for unfolding amazing futures for our students!
Daryl Matthews: Daryl is described as someone all of the students and staff really enjoy being around. He’s always in high spirits and continues to lift everyone up in the building with his positive attitude. His nominator writes, “One day I came in tired and was ready to call it a day. Mr. Matthews didn’t hesitate to remind me of why I love my job and why I’m here.” Mr. Matthews reminds us all about the joy in our positions supporting students daily and how we are truly unfolding their futures.
Yumi Roche: Yumi is described as someone who uses every opportunity she is given to help students be successful. She makes every student feel special, being a consistent and positive face every day. Her nominator writes, “A student had shared that they wanted to learn more about food services because it is a career path that he is interested in. He approached Yumi and asked if there was any way that he could help serve lunch one day to see what goes on behind the scenes. Yumi not only checked to make sure that this was a possibility, but got the student excited about working in food services. He was so excited and is still exploring this career path today. Yumi is an amazing example of helping to unfold futures in the food service program!”
Megan Allen: Megan Allen, Carver Special Education Coach Megan Allen is described as very passionate about teachers and students. Her nominator writes, “She truly wants everyone to be the best they can be so we all will be successful! Megan has a deep-rooted passion for helping teachers become experts in literacy and Specially-Designed Instruction. She just gets people and knows how to support staff and students to bring out the best in them. Her passion to build and support the teachers to be better flows through to the students making them learn and understand and be proud of what they are doing. She was the coordinator this year for Special Education Extended School Year for the 1st time and she rocked it!” Thanks to her, great learning and relationship building are going on because she supports and values the staff. So many of the students are proud to report to Megan about their accomplishments because they know she genuinely cares about their progress. Megan is a true example of unfolding the pages one-by-one to build a better district all around.
Amira Kass: Amira Kass is described as an awesome art teacher! Her nominator writes, “She is so creative with her students and is always showcasing something a class has completed. She is not afraid of the students making a “mess” and has introduced them to many new skills. Her classroom is very inviting and inspiring when you walk into it. It is great to see all of the skills the students are completing on a regular basis.” Amira created a Sensory Wall at Becker. If a student is getting wiggly in class the child can take a break by picking up the class lanyard and going to the sensory wall where activity directions are painted on the wall to do in sequence down the hall. The student completes the tasks then returns to class ready to learn. The sensory wall is such a hit it has been featured on the news, and the district video about it has been shared far and wide on social media. Thank you, Amira Kass, for the creative ways you are Unfolding Futures for our students!
Click here for past High Flier Award Recipients.
Click here for past My WHY Recipients.