Kari Mozak, a Fifth Grade Teacher at Loess Hills Computer Programming Elementary School
"Mrs. Mozak is a shining example of dedication and commitment to her students’ success. She consistently goes above and beyond, investing her time and energy to ensure that each child feels supported and valued. Her hard work is evident not only in the careful planning of her lessons but also in the patience and encouragement she shows each day in the classroom. She demonstrates a true passion for education, and it’s clear that her goal is not simply to teach, but to inspire a lifelong love of learning in her students.
What makes her stand out even more is the joy she brings to the learning process. She strives to make every lesson engaging and fun, using creativity and enthusiasm to capture her students’ interest. Beyond academics, she also has implemented a variety of positive rewards that celebrate effort, growth, and good choices, helping to build a classroom culture of respect and motivation. Her thoughtful approach creates an environment where students are excited to learn, feel proud of their accomplishments, and are motivated to do their best every day.
Thank you, Mrs. Mozak, Loess Hills is grateful to have you as part of the team!"
Jordyn Lapierre, a Second-Grade Teacher at Morningside STEM Elementary School
"Miss LaPierre has been a great addition to the second grade team! She is organized and has reviewed all of the new curriculum and is well prepared to
meet the needs of her 2nd grade students. She is always willing to collaborate and share ideas and resources with the rest of the team and she is very open minded and willing to implement new strategies in her classroom. Miss Lapierre has great relationships both with past and present students and their families as well as the staff at Morningside!"
Michael Lantz, a Building Service Technician at North Middle School.
"Michael went above and beyond over the summer and throughout the fall to keep our rooms and pods extra clean. He is always friendly and always asks if there is anything else he can do to help. There are even times where he has checked in more than once a day to ensure our rooms are at the level we appreciate. Thank you for all you do, Michael!"
Lisa Todd, a Second-Grade Teacher at Spalding Park Environmental Sciences Elementary School
"Lisa is always the helper for our second grade team. She keeps everyone in the loop with pacing and is willing to help out no matter the time of day. She can be relied on to have an answer or will find it out. Lisa is always there early and does a fantastic job balancing it all!"
Renee Dawdy, a Special Education Instructional Assistant at Irving Elementary School
"Ms. Dawdy is caring, dedicated, a go-getter, and compassionate. She will step in to greet all the Irving students upon arrival if needed. She does this out of the goodness of her heart. She is there for staff, students, families, and the district and is available anytime we need additional support. We appreciate Ms. Dawdy's commitment to our students and our school!"
Joan Logue, an English Teacher at West High School
"Ms. Logue is a colleague that sets both expectations for herself and her peers high, every day of the week. She represents the level of professionalism that all teachers new and old should strive for. Her students look up to her, respect her, and admire her. She is always someone you can come to for advice, honesty and help. We appreciate her knowledge in our English department and facilitating our Scribblerz group. Congratulations, Ms. Logue, for being West High School's staff member of the month. You are appreciated!"
Tina Yudka-Hetzel, a Title Teacher at Hunt A+ Arts Elementary School
"Tina is always very welcoming and positive, and she willingly helps out wherever needed with any task. She plans fun and engaging activities for both students and families, fostering a strong sense of community. Tina also helps create a positive work environment by celebrating staff members and recognizing student and staff birthdays each day. Her colleagues enjoy working with her, as she brings warmth and enthusiasm to everything she does. Tina supports students’ academic achievement by providing targeted reading support and encouraging a love of literacy in all learners. She delivers engaging and well-structured instruction in the classroom that keeps students actively involved and excited to learn. Congratulations, Tina!"
Shari Salmon, an Instructional Assistant at Leeds Elementary School
"Ms. Shari is incredibly patient and dedicated to every student she supports. She genuinely wants each child to succeed and celebrates their growth every step of the way, she’s truly their biggest cheerleader! Students light up when she walks into the room, a reflection of the positive relationships she’s built.
One staff member shared that they would be lost without her support. Even when faced with challenging situations, Ms. Shari handles them with remarkable patience and calmness. She is a steady, caring presence for both students and staff alike.
We are proud to recognize Ms. Shari Salmon as our Leeds Elementary Staff Member of the Month for October!"
Cassie Foreman, a Registrar at Bryant Elementary School
A few colleagues shared the following about Cassie:
"Cassie is the foundation of what makes Bryant a great place for staff, students, and families. Her willingness to help in any situation, support changes, and navigate minute-by-minute unexpected happenings that are always part of schools is what makes her a valuable staff member. She is our behind-the-scenes Bryant Superhero!" - Building Admin
"Cassie is the heart of our school. She is often the first smiling face students and parents see, and the steady hands that keep everything running smoothly behind the scenes. Her kindness, organization, and patience help create a welcoming and supportive environment for everyone who walks through our doors. Simply put, Bryant couldn’t function without her 😊" - Shantel Mozer
"Cassie is a team player and uses her strong organization and communication skills to help things go smoothly at Bryant. She is someone who is super important to keeping Bryant running smoothly every day!" - Teresa Sutton and Kelsie Zimmerer
Terry Gardner, a Welding and Auto Body Teacher at the Sioux City Career Academy
"Mr. Gardner is an invaluable member of our Career Academy team. He leads the team at Harry Hopkins, often relied upon as the lead for safety and emergent needs, as well as serving as a mentor for one of our newest team members. Terry has led programming that is extremely popular with students and fosters community relationships that lead to student success post graduation. We are proud and honored to nominate Terry Gardner as our October Staff of the Month!
Maria Johnson, an ECSE Teacher at Sioux City Community Preschool
"Maria has been nominated for the above and beyond support she put in place for students in her classroom. She works diligently to ensure she is able to engage all students in learning throughout the school day. Thank you for all you do, Maria!"
Diatra Woodford, a Sixth-Grade Science Teacher at East Middle School
"Ms. Woodford is an incredibly welcoming presence to both students and staff. She creates a positive and supportive environment wherever she goes. Her strong sense of organization ensures that her classroom and team run smoothly, allowing everyone to focus on teaching and learning. She even offered to help make door signs for our new Title staff at the beginning of the school year. Most importantly, she goes above and beyond to support the teachers on her team, always offering help, encouragement, and resources to ensure no one feels overwhelmed. Her kindness, dedication, and leadership make her an outstanding role model and a truly deserving candidate for this recognition."
Tyler Thomas and Jana Ludwig, Co-Teachers at West Middle School
"Tyler is a great guy who has been incredibly helpful as an active contributor to his Professional Learning Community (PLC), and new co-teaching partner! His willingness to step in and support others truly makes a difference in the sixth grade pod!
Together, Tyler and Jana have embraced risk-taking and collaboration in their new co-teaching partnership. Their commitment to working as a team and trying innovative approaches is shining through in the classroom. This dynamic duo exemplifies what it means to grow, adapt, and lead with positivity and purpose.
Congratulations, Tyler and Jana! Your efforts are inspiring and deeply appreciated."
Crista Limoges, a Teacher at East High School
"Crista is a topnotch teacher who exemplifies the epitome of our profession. She has created an atmosphere of trustworthiness and respect in her classroom that allows all students to feel heard and be successful. Her lessons not only teach the curriculum but also apply to real world situations to which students can frequently relate. Crista is always willing to share her ideas and lessons with colleagues, and is a calm and rational voice to both students and staff. In addition to classroom responsibilities, Crista is the advisor for National Honor Society and has organized meaningful activities for our students and the Siouxland Community. Congratulations Crista! You are more than deserving of this recognition!"
Liberty Elementary School Food Service Team
"The Liberty food service team have done an excellent job this year taking on some new procedures both from the building-level and District food service office. They have worked to put these changes into place to make the lunchroom operate as smoothly as possible and ensure students get a hot and healthy lunch each day. We are grateful to have such a dedicated lunchroom staff. Their collaboration, teamwork and positive attitudes have made these changes successful. Thank you for "'Making it Happen!' at Liberty each day!"
Mary DeBont, Angie Lopez, and Michelle Coon, Foundation Instructional Assistants at Riverside Elementary School
"Mary, Angie, and Michelle are the true definitions of leaders in their instructional assistant positions. Their dedication, patience, and genuine care for our students make such a powerful difference in our school. Whether they’re providing extra support in the classroom, building meaningful relationships with students, or lending a helping hand to staff, they do it all with positivity and heart. Riverside is truly better because of the teamwork, compassion, and professionalism these amazing paras bring to our school family. Thank you for for everything you do to help our students succeed!"
Kaitlyn Stusse, a MTSS Specialist at Unity Elementary School
"Kaitlyn started at Unity as a building assistant, and transitioned to a MTSS Specialist this school year. Kaitlyn has an amazing ability to be firm and consistent when addressing student behaviors, while also being understanding and compassionate. Kaitlyn has taken well in her new position and is an essential part of team Unity. Thank you for all you do, Kaitlyn!"
Shijan Oehlerking, a Resource Teacher at Sunnyside Elementary School
"Mrs Oehlerking consistently goes above and beyond her typical teaching duties to make a lasting impact on students and staff. She is always willing to lend a helping hand to anyone in need. She leads our student council with passion, guiding students to strengthen their leadership skills and school spirit initiatives. Every day, she shows up with a warm smile and greets students with a hello or a high-five. She also takes on the enormous task of creating our yearbook, capturing the memories that define each school year. Her commitment extends even further as an active member of several key committees, including BLT-B, the Social Committee, and the Climate and Culture Committee. Thank you, Mrs Oehlerking, for your enthusiasm, kindness, and commitment to making our school a better place each and every day!"
Angie Conway, a MTSS Specialist at Perry Creek Elementary School
"Angie is an incredible member of the Perry Creek team who goes above and beyond every single day to make a difference for our students. She has built so many strong and meaningful relationships with students. She knows how to connect with them, encourage them, and help them believe in themselves. Angie has also developed creative and effective behavior plans that have helped students grow and succeed: both in and out of the classroom.
Her positive attitude, calm presence, and dedication to helping every child shine truly make her stand out. Angie’s care, consistency, and teamwork make Perry Creek a better place for everyone.
Congratulations, Angie! Thank you for all you do each and every day, you make a huge impact, and we are so lucky to have you on our team! 💙"
Chad Patterson, a Driver at the SCCSD Food Service Department
"Chad joined the team last school year, and has been a great addition to the team. Chad is always polite, and helps out whenever and wherever needed (and fun fact: Chad's favorite soup is chili)! Congratulations Chad, keep up the good work. It does not go unnoticed!"
Jamie Guffy, an Administrative Assistant at the Educational Service Center
"Jamie puts her best effort forward to help families every single day. She is resourceful in finding the best services we can offer to help families feel welcomed in the District. Jamie takes time to look closely at each and every situation to support all families. She is kind and understanding. Not only does she display these great attributes with our families, but also with her department and colleagues as well. She is always willing to help and always finds time to help our team. We are very grateful and lucky to have Jamie on our team."