Kudos to Lisa Hughes Walz, a teacher at West Middle School, and Jerry Stanwick, an infrastructure tech at the Educational Service Center.
Amy Oerman said the following about Kristie, "When our curriculum platform was not working, and the platforms administrative team was unable to resolve the issue, Lisa and Jerry went above and beyond to help. They worked as a team to troubleshoot the issue and get the platform up and running just in time for the start of the school year. Because of their persistence and collaboration, teachers were able to fully access and utilize their resources. Their dedication and willingness to step in and find a solution made a meaningful difference for our teachers and students."
Kudos to Lisa Peterson, a Transportation Specialist II at Operations and Maintenance.
A grateful colleague said the following about Lisa, "A big shoutout to Lisa for always being willing to help with transportation requests! She is incredibly knowledgeable, dependable, and is always there if questions arise. Lisa truly thrives in her position, and her dedication and expertise shine through everything she does. We are so grateful to have her as a resource and appreciate the positive impact she makes every day!"
Kudos to Kim Urquidi, an eighth-grade English teacher at East Middle School.
Shijan Oehlerking said the following about Kim, "A huge kudos to Kim Urquidi! She has been so incredibly welcoming and has made my transition to middle school feel easy and seamless. It’s so clear how much Kim genuinely loves and cares about our students and wants what’s best for each of them. I’m so thankful to have her as my co-teacher and to get to learn and work alongside her!"
Kudos to April Fuller, a transportation specialist at Operations & Maintenance.
Dani Mendenhall said the following about April, "April has such a strong work ethic. She is reliable and efficient. I am grateful to have her on our team!"
Kudos to Kyle Timmons, a title teacher at Loess Hills Elementary.
A grateful colleague said the following about Kyle, "I would like to give a huge kudo to Kyle Timmins for stepping up to fill in as a third-grade teacher as we kicked off the new school year! Kyle jumped right in to open the classroom, established expectations and routines, and created a welcoming and positive environment for students. Kyle has also worked hard to build strong relationships with students and families from the very beginning. Thank you, Kyle, for your flexibility, dedication, and willingness to step up to ensure our third-graders had a strong start to the school year! Way to Level Up! 🎮⭐"
Kudos to Kien Sek, Paris Gardner, and Andrea Rueles, custodial team members at Loess Hills Elementary.
A grateful colleague said the following about Kien, Paris, and Andrea, "A huge KUDO to Kien, Paris, and Andrea for all of their hard work and dedication throughout the summer! They worked diligently to prepare our school for the start of a new school year, making sure our building was clean, safe, welcoming, and ready for our students and staff.
Their commitment often happens behind the scenes, but the impact of their work is felt by everyone who walks through our doors. Because of their dedication and pride in our school, we are able to LEVEL UP every day!
Thank you, Kien, Paris, and Andrea, for everything you do to make Loess Hills a great place to learn and work! We appreciate you!"
Kudos to Kyle Timmons, a title teacher at Loess Hills Elementary.
A grateful colleague said the following about Kyle, "I would like to give a huge kudo to Kyle Timmins for stepping up to fill in as a third-grade teacher as we kicked off the new school year! Kyle jumped right in to open the classroom, established expectations and routines, and created a welcoming and positive environment for students. Kyle has also worked hard to build strong relationships with students and families from the very beginning. Thank you, Kyle, for your flexibility, dedication, and willingness to step up to ensure our third-graders had a strong start to the school year! Way to Level Up! 🎮⭐"
Kudos to Jay Barto, Operations Supervisor at Operations & Maintenance.
Morgen Nash said the following about Jay, "Jay brings kind and caring leadership to our district each day! His attention to detail and commitment to making sure our buildings and grounds are safe, welcoming, and well cared for do not go unnoticed. Jay leads with thoughtfulness, takes pride in supporting our schools, and is always willing to help. We are grateful for all he does behind the scenes to help our buildings, and the people in them shine! Thank you, Jay!"
Kudos to Alexis Hansen, a Special Education Resource Teacher at Loess Hills Elementary.
A grateful colleague said the following about Alexis, "Alexis is a first-year teacher who joined a brand-new team with enthusiasm and a strong desire to learn. From the beginning, she has demonstrated tremendous drive, perseverance, and a willingness to take on new challenges. She approaches each opportunity with a positive attitude and is committed to growing as an educator while providing the best possible support for her students. Her dedication and determination have already made a meaningful impact on her team and students."
Kudos to Aaron Clark, a MTSS specialist at Loess Hills Elementary.
Lindsey Pojar said the following about Aaron, "Mr. Clark does a fantastic job at connecting with the students at Loess Hills. He comes every morning ready to help where he is needed and making sure all staff and students feel safe. In his time here, he has implemented fun activities to promote safety and help connect with those around him."
Kudos to Dave Nash, a Strat 1 Behavior Teacher at North Middle School.
A grateful colleague said the following about Dave, "Dave has a new position this year and has done such an amazing job. He is such a team player and does whatever is needed to support all students."
#Kudos to Jamie Guffy, an administrative assistant at the Educational Service Center.
A grateful colleague said the following about Jamie, "We are incredibly lucky to have Jamie as our point of contact for registrations! Jamie brings a wealth of knowledge to the table, is always willing to help, and is truly a go-to resource for our district.
Her expertise, responsiveness, and willingness to support others make such a difference. Thanks for all you do!"
Kudos to Melanie Weltz, an assistant principal at Nodland and Sunnyside Elementary.
Chad Benson said the following about Melanie, "I would like to submit a well-deserved Kudos for our new Assistant Principal, Melanie Weltz. Stepping into a new administrative role comes with countless moving parts, but Melanie has embraced the challenge head-on and is doing a fantastic job supporting our school community. She is remarkably visible—constantly checking in on classrooms, greeting students and staff, and building an uplifting presence throughout the building. Her positive outlook is infectious, and she consistently handles difficult or high-pressure situations with incredible grace, patience, and a calm demeanor. We are so fortunate to have her steady leadership, warmth, and dedication championing our students and staff every single day."
Kudos to Colin Speckmann, a MTSS specialist at Spalding Park Elementary.
Tracy Heineman said the following about Colin, "Colin has been there to cover classes and or students whenever he is asked! He always has a smile on his face and never says no! He is the true meaning of a team player and wants to make sure everyone is able to do their job without any hiccups!"
Kudos to Chris Koch, a principal at North Middle School.
A grateful parent said the following about Chris, "When my child encountered some issues this school year, Mr. Koch went above and beyond to make sure my child was seen, heard, and overall, safe. He has reached out to us multiple times to check-in and to see if there is anything else he can do. This type of dedication shows that he truly cares about building positive connections with his students and families. As a result, my son knows he can trust Mr. Koch (this has been something that hasn’t been easy for him). His sincere smile and comforting words foster a supportive environment where his students can truly focus on learning. I can only pray that all children experience a 'Mr. Koch' in their educational journey."
A grateful colleague said the following about Chris, "Chris has done an amazing job transitioning from assistant principal to head principal. He truly cares about North Middle School students and staff. He consistently checks in with his staff throughout the day. He and the other principals continue to strive to make it the best place to be. Thanks for all you do!"