May 21 – RISE Nominations
“I would like to nominate Mrs. Graves for a RISE Award. She has made a positive impact on my son’s learning experience this year, and I truly appreciate her dedication. Her efforts to work with my son and help build his confidence have made a world of difference. He looks forward to attending school every day, which speaks volumes about the supportive and nurturing environment she fosters. Thank you Mrs. Graves for making every child feel valued and empowered to succeed.“
Nominated by: Gary Watkins, parent
“Siempre está preocupada sobre el avance de mi hija.”
“She is always worried about my daughter’s progress.“
Nominated by: Alma Delia Magdaleno Moran, parent
“Mrs. Thorne deserves a RISE Award for her dedication to her students and unwavering commitment to make every child feel valued. I have witnessed firsthand the difference Mrs. Thorne has made in my son’s educational career. His growth in knowledge and confidence is a direct result of her dedication and care. We appreciate your hard work, kindness and commitment to help every child succeed!“
Nominated by: Gary Watkins, parent
“Amy consistently fosters a positive and engaging learning environment. Her selflessness and dedication to the growth of her students goes above and beyond, making a lasting impact on their academic and personal development.“
Nominated by: Chelsie Walker, district employee
“Mrs. Carter is one of the best advocates at AFHS. She loves the students and staff and this is why Mrs Carter deserves this rise award.“
Nominated by: Nathan Kunze, student
“Weston is always coming up with new ways to have fun and engaging activities in his class. He recently came up with a unit where students design shoes to model changes of matter within stars.“
Nominated by: Hayden Lewis, district employee
“Kamaile goes above and beyond, and then even further. I can always count on her. She will always do anything that is asked of her with a positive attitude and a smile on her face. I’m so beyond grateful to have a head sweeper who genuinely cares about Aspen. Kamaile puts her heart and soul into taking care of the school. Nothing will stop her from getting any task at hand done. She is incredibly brilliant, and often thinks outside of the box. I’m beyond blessed to have Kamaile on my team.“
Nominated by: Emily Gray, district employee
“Misty is an invaluable asset to Mountain Ridge, combining deep science knowledge with a passion for teaching and lifelong learning. She constantly expands her education to enhance student experiences, ensuring they receive the best instruction. Her dedication, energy, and care inspire curiosity and confidence in young minds. Cherished by colleagues and students alike, Misty’s commitment to education strengthens our school community. We are grateful for her enthusiasm, expertise, and the positive impact she makes every day!”
Nominated by: Emma Cragun, district employee
“For 29 years, Chris has been inspiring minds—young and old—at Mountain Ridge. He dedicates his entire being to teaching students about the past and helping them understand its impact on their future. A true master teacher, Chris brings history to life with his passion and expertise, shaping the next generation of thinkers and leaders. His dedication goes beyond the classroom, fostering curiosity and a love of learning in all who cross his path. Mountain Ridge is lucky to have him, and we are grateful for the lasting impact he continues to make on our school community!“
Nominated by: Emma Cragun, district employee
“I had the pleasure of working with Brittany before she moved over to Frontier Middle School and I am impressed with her ability to manage any challenge that comes her way. She is hardworking and dedicated to providing the best service and food to her students and is friendly and welcoming to everyone. She cares about the people she works with and is exceptional at her job.”
Nominated by: Andrea Milne, district employee
“Mrs. Wilcox is so encouraging and always gives the best tips on East Shore! She always has a good attitude and connects with each student. Her class is the best and I have been able to meet new people and make friends.“
Nominated by: Bradley Beck, student
“Mrs. Wilcox’s classroom is awesome and she always has the right vibe for me to start my day. She is super patient and helps work with students who need extra help getting caught up on credits, which In my opinion would be very hard with all the kids and their track records that she deals with. But overall I’d say that she’s just a good teacher and motivator when it comes to the long boring packets that we do, it’s always nice to have her here.”
Nominated by: Ryker Liljenquist, student
“Mrs. Wilcox is so supportive and helpful.”
Nominated by: Alyvia Christensen, student
“I’ve known Mrs. Wilcox’s since halfway through my junior year and she’s never failed to make sure I feel supported and cared for. Mrs.Wilcox has such a welcoming presence and makes sure that everyone in her classroom feels important. She has truly helped me more that I could ever ask for and is such a big part of why I’m gonna graduate. Her upbeat spirit creates a fun space and I always enjoy being in her class. She knows how to connect with the students individually, she’s an amazing teacher and I will forever recommend her to upcoming students.”
Nominated by: Brailyn Dunkley, student
“Every time I attend Wilcox’s class I instantly feel welcomed and supported. Being in Wilcox’s class pushes me to get my work done and I always leave the classroom with a better attitude than when I entered. It is apparent that Mrs. Wilcox cares for every single student’s success. The genuine care that I have been shown has helped me to work hard. In this class wins are very celebrated, every test passed is met by an enthusiastic great job from Wilcox. Personally my attendance is not great but because of the welcoming attitude in this class I make it to class almost every day.”
Nominated by: Jade Binks, student
“Mrs. Wilcox helped me so much this year with all my online classes. I was able to finish them quickly and easily with her help. Her classroom is such a welcoming environment and it always feels good to be in there. One of the most cool teachers I’ve ever had. She always has something to talk about during class.”
Nominated by: Nathan Ehat, student
“John Brown is an outstanding individual. He is so full of passion for what he teaches. He is always inclusive of people from all walks of life, and makes sure they know they belong. He always puts on a good show and gives everyone opportunities to shine. Best Drama teacher out there.“
Nominated by: Zach Fuller, student
“John Brown’s classroom and the community that he creates are so welcoming and safe. He is so easy to talk to and is very captivating during class time. He puts so much time and effort into his program at the school and it makes every moment doing theatre feel so special. I know for a fact that my high school experience has been better and an easier transition from middle school because of him.”
Nominated by: Kate Kendrick, student
“I chose Mrs. Grow because she has been my teacher almost every semester since my sophomore year. She helps me with anything I need help with and she has had such a big impact on what I want to do with my life after high school. The kindness that she shows makes me love her class and makes me respect her so much more for everything she has done for me. Before going into her class I wasn’t sure I wanted to go into the fashion industry after high school. I now know what I want to do and I know the steps I need to take to achieve my goal all because of Mrs. Grow.“
Nominated by: Cumorah Peters, student
“Mrs. Grow is a very good teacher, she is more focused on creating relationships with her students and it helps. She is super good with helping create goals and getting us to pass her class.“
Nominated by: Brooklyn Jones, student
“Ms. McDonald loves working with every student. She’s always on her feet, helping students master their art projects to the best of their ability. She always has a smile on her face. She is understanding of every student and encouraging to all. She is passionate about her profession, and she channels that passion into her teaching in an effervescent way. You can tell that she loves being in the classroom. She loves seeing students accomplish new ways for them to express themselves. Her dedication is appreciated by everyone. She truly influences the students and teachers here at Skyridge.“
Nominated by: Samuel Vazquez, student
“Ms. Bowles is so great at creating an atmosphere where the kids thrive! She makes learning fun and is so consistent with routine and keeping the kids on track even between transitions. Her kind and patient heart makes it easy for the kids to keep trying even when they are yet to accomplish a task. We absolutely adore her and are so grateful she gets to teach our son this school year!“
Nominated by: Shaylyn Redding, parent
“Gary is a fantastic bus driver. The kids love him and he is so kind and considerate. He makes them feel loved and shows extra patience even when the kids may be rowdy. Gary approached me after school one day and asked about my son who he hadn’t seen on the bus for a while. He wanted to know if he was OK. It meant a lot to me to know that he missed my son and was concerned about him. Gary does more than drive the kids to school, he shows love and concern for them.“
Nominated by: Emily Adams, parent
“Mrs. Houle has been really encouraging to me this year. She has helped motivate me to come to school and keep my grades passing. She always calls me down to her office to check on me and see how I am doing. Every term she tells me good job on passing all of my classes and gives me a treat. I know that I can come to her with any problems and she will help me figure it out. She has helped me a lot throughout my junior and senior year.. This is why I think that Mrs Houle should be recognized.“
Nominated by: Kambree Harrison, student
“Mrs. Bolander is the coolest teacher and she is super relatable. She also makes sure we understand the content we are learning, and her class is one of the few I’ve enjoyed.“
Nominated by: Julian Fernandez, student
“I love Mrs. Bolander with all my heart. I was never good at chemistry and I goofed off a lot in class with my old friends and she would still be so patient every day and not take it seriously or strictly. She was always kind and forgiving and even small talk with her was really enjoyable. She’s a really sweet person and not an old cranky lady. I’m really grateful for her and although she’s not my teacher now she was definitely my favorite at Skyridge.”
Nominated by: Jazmin Merrill, student
“Mr. Andersen teaches Chinese so well. He makes it fun and interactive, as well as easier to understand. He jokes around and actually has fun with his students! Not only does he teach amazingly, but he helps fundraise an entire study abroad trip to Taiwan for his students! And to get there he does Chinese New Year, creating a whole system which is phenomenal.“
Nominated by: Makenzie Roberds, student
“Mr. Andersen is always upbeat and right there willing to help. Honestly the greatest teacher ever. The classes are always something I love going to.“
Nominated by: Aubrey Gardner, student
“Mrs. Gull is so kind. She is patient, and considerate, and shows that she cares about each of her students individually. She is very encouraging, and her classroom is so welcoming. She makes school a safe and enjoyable place to be.”
Nominated by: Avery Call, student
“Mrs. Gull is super kind and genuine and she really helps me get on track.“
Nominated by: Josh Dykes, student
“There are endless good things to say about Mrs. Gull. She has been one of the most helpful teachers I’ve ever had in all my years of school and I have only had her this year. Immediatly when you walk in her classroom you feel welcomed and cared about. She always has a good mindset and energy. She has helped me feel more confident about my writing and myself outside of school. She always makes everyone feel better if they are having a bad day even if you don’t tell her. She can read people so well and knows exactly how to make you feel better. She is so nice and deserves more recognition.”
Nominated by: Eva Niederhauser, student
“Mrs. Gull does everything and more that is required of a teacher for both her creative and general studies classes. She makes everybody comfortable and puts effort into making things fun and welcoming. She’s open with her experiences and is willing to go out of her way to help assist her students’ grades. She’s easy to talk to. I literally love her so much.”
Nominated by: Natalie Nelson, student
“I want to nominate Gull because she is kind and has helped me understand many things. Not just about writing but about life. She is welcoming to people and she allows us to be ourselves in her classroom whatever chaos that means.”
Nominated by: Ash Vasher, student
“Jennifer Is the best, most understanding, helpful and kind staff member I know. She’s so helpful when i need to change my schedule.“
Nominated by: Stratton Harris, student
“Dawnielle is a great support in and out of the classroom. She’s always going the extra mile to help with teacher tasks and make sure the students are learning. I don’t know what I would do without such an outstanding para at my side.”
Nominated by: Heather Oswald, district employee
“When I get an excited text and short movie from my granddaughter about how excited she is about something she learned in science, I know that her teacher is doing an amazing job. Shanna has been so patient with my little 7th grader and has supported and inspired her throughout the year. I love girls getting excited about science because of the love, care and knowledge of the teacher. Thank you!“
Nominated by: Julie Turner, grandparent
“Nothing is ever mundane with Wendy! She is always trying innovative ways to get students into the library. From building replica buses of the freedom riders and Rosa Parks to museum quality vignettes of famous authors and celebrations of Constitution (and a cookie) Day, Black History Month, Hispanic Heritage Month, Women’s History Month, Asian and Pacific Islander Month along with all of the books and decorations to go with them. Once she has succeeded in bringing kids in, she works to get our students reading. She exemplifies a “can do” attitude and is always willing to help!”
Nominated by: Lisa Rose, district employee
“Principal Gonsalves is an exceptional leader, deeply invested in our students, faculty, and community. He fosters a positive learning environment, demonstrating genuine care and proactive leadership. His “chill” demeanor creates a sense of stability and trust, while his natural leadership inspires collaboration and innovation. Principal Gonsalves empowers teachers and constantly seeks improvement. His caring nature, proactive approach, and effective leadership makes him a truly deserving candidate. He has positively impacted our school.“
Nominated by: Traci Barker, district employee
“Mrs. Stewart has been our principal at Westfield Elementary for 4 years. I have loved watching her care for the students, staff and parents in a fantastic way! Since coming to Westfield she has updated all our technology, helped create a wellness room, brought in a quality phonics program, has brought wonderful staff to our school and works hard to help the individual. She has an open door policy. She cares about the one. She knows the needs of all the kids in the school and she helps them to be able to be their best selves. Her compassion and leadership is top notch. We love Mrs. Stewart!!”
Nominated by: Janis Aden, parent
“Principal Stewart is a very loving and caring principal. My son was going through health problems and she reached out to me and told me of programs and things that could help him. She met with me and my son to help figure out how we could help him through this time. I appreciate her caring and being available. At different school events she and her husband have been so generous to help out and share their talents of calligraphy. I appreciate how she cares and loves for the students. She is an exceptional woman.”
Nominated by: Emily Adams, parent
“I am proud to nominate Kerri Tanner for the RISE award. She truly embodies what it means to be remarkable, inspiring, selfless and encouraging. Her leadership is a constant source of inspiration, motivating our team to strive for excellence. She consistently goes above and beyond, selflessly offering guidance and support to help her students succeed. With a genuine commitment to the success and wellbeing of everyone around her, Kerri fosters a culture of encouragement and positivity. Her remarkable contributions have made a lasting impact on me and our team, making her a perfect candidate.“
Nominated by: Jordan Bale, district employee
“Ms. Herr is a lovely teacher. Without a doubt she loves what she does. She is always willing to help you and treats her students with so much love. My son says that she is the best teacher in the world.“
Nominated by: Alma Chomo, parent
“My daughter had a difficult 1st grade year. School and academics were a struggle. This year has been complete 180 and that’s because of Mrs. Hanson. Mrs. Hanson has encouraged and loved my daughter. She has made so much progress this year academically and in her confidence levels. We are so grateful for Mrs. Hanson and her commitment to being a wonderful educator!“
Nominated by: McKell Powell, parent
“I nominate Ms. Brunst for the RISE Award because she is a vital part of our school. She knows every student’s name, always has a smile, and makes kids feel safe and valued. She plays a key role in drop-off and pickup, directing traffic, reuniting kids with parents, and keeping everything organized. My daughter and many others trust her completely. She holds kids accountable while keeping things positive. She truly cares about every student, making a lasting impact every day. She is Remarkable, Inspiring, Selfless, and Encouraging.“
Nominated by: Marcelo Masetti, parent
“Ms. Kim has been such an incredible teacher for my three children over the years. Each of them has loved being in her class, and I’ve seen firsthand how she tailors her approach to each child’s unique needs. Ms. Kim’s ability to introduce structure in a fun, interactive way has made learning an exciting experience. Her class projects are always engaging, and she has a special gift for helping little ones feel confident without overwhelming them. My daughter looks forward to class every week, and I’m so grateful for everything she’s done for our family!“
Nominated by: Jessica Compton, parent
“As our head secretary, Linda Cameron warmly cares for students with injuries or illnesses, making them feel safe and supported. Handling phone calls home and assisting with check-ins/outs, her kindness shows as she knows each student by name. Linda ensures teachers have all necessary materials and expertly manages finances for field trips, fundraisers, plays, student council activities, and more. Her unfaltering dedication and phenomenal support are essential, making her an irreplaceable part of the school community. Without Linda, the school simply wouldn’t thrive!“
Nominated by: Tiffany Child, district employee
“I am thrilled to nominate our secretary, Anneliese Whiting, for this award. Her kindness and support make her indispensable to our school. She comforts sick or injured students and knows each one by name, creating a welcoming environment. Her organizational skills shine as she helps teachers prepare for field trips and arranges transportation effortlessly. Always ready to assist, her cheerful demeanor ensures that both teachers and students receive the help they need. Her dedication truly deserves recognition.“
Nominated by: Tiffany Child, district employee
“We have a very large school that could probably use a second assistant principal as it is, and yet -daily demands aside- when there were some complications that left my child’s teacher unavailable, Mrs. Giles stepped in a few days before our Clear Creek field trip, coordinated chaperones, did prep work with the class, and then came on the extended day field trip with us. Watching her guide the lessons at each station, I was deeply impressed that she made the call to not send a sub, even though I’m sure she came back to a backlog the following day.“
Nominated by: Charlotte Valantine, parent
“Gayle Hubbard has been the face of Eaglecrest Elementary since the school opened. (28 years) Whenever you walk into the office she is the first person you see and she always has a smile on her face whether you are a parent, student, or teacher. She has been patient and kind training new secretaries and new principals. She is the go to person in the school with all the answers to all the outrageous questions. When you walk into Eaglecrest and see Gayle, you know you are welcomed and loved.“
Nominated by: Linda Chand, district employee
“Gayle Hubbard is the lead secretary of Eaglecrest Elementary. She has been an essential part of Eaglecrest for the 28 years we have been open. She is retiring this year. Although we are all so happy for her, we know it will be hard on the employees and patrons of Eaglecrest. She is efficient, calm, and handles all situations kindly. She gives everyone the kind and happy Gayle. Eaglecrest is going to miss her dearly. Thanks, Gayle.”
Nominated by: district employee
“Ms. Shelley cares about the success of the students she serves at AFHS. She takes the time to listen to their concerns and gives great advice as they make decisions that impact their future. She also tries to resolve concerns quickly and alleviate their stress. Ms. Shelley is a great partner with parents and school staff as well as they try to help students thrive in school and life.“
Nominated by: Traci Boulter, parent
“Mrs Meinzer is like a friend to me and somebody I can trust. She is a fun teacher and makes me laugh. I’ve always been so exicted to see her when I have classes with her. She made my junior high expience much better!“
Nominated by: Jazmine Fyffe, student
“Mrs. Meinzer is my good friend and one of the best teachers I have ever had in my life. She taught me so much and is actually just amazing.”
Nominated by: Fiona Emig, student
