| Ryan Little, Hamilton School District assistant manager of buildings and grounds, was nominated by a co-worker because:
In a dark corner of the boiler room resides the office of Ryan Little. As the assistant building and grounds supervisor Ryan manages the custodial and maintenance staff. He is also responsible for the day to day operations, making sure things get done smoothly, gets all the blame and none of the credit, High Five!! He should also be acknowledged for trying to pull off a spring ensemble when he is clearly an autumn. |
| Brian Sendzik, Hamilton School District custodian and grounds keeper, was nominated by a co-worker for being a:
Team Player. |
| Aaron Dow, Woodside Elementary School head custodian, was nominated by a co-worker because:
Under such unique and unusual circumstances, Aaron has been openly communicative and helpful to make this transition as smooth as possible. His willingness to help teachers create the best learning environments possible is admirable and greatly appreciated. |
| Hope Onysio, Templeton Middle School eighth grade teacher, was nominated by a co-worker because:
I would like to thank Hope Onysio for always being attentive to learning needs of English learners in Comm Arts 8 that can be challenging for ELs; for keeping English learners accountable for their overall literacy growth and for finding time to collaborate with ESL teacher. In a word, for being an accommodating teacher while maintaining high educational standards for English learners. |
| Jeffrey Grove, Hamilton School District manager of buildings and grounds, was nominated by a co-worker because:
Outstanding Team Leader. |
| David Schiffer, Hamilton School District custodial-maintenance staff member, was nominated by a co-worker because:
The hard work put into making cough shields, for the “new norm”; they are magnificent. |
| Rhonda Watton, Templeton Middle School eighth grade teacher, was nominated by a co-worker because:
Rhonda is extraordinary in the amount of personal time and money she spends on professional development to benefit herself and her social studies students. This week she is spending the week in a virtual American Revolution Institute! Her passion for Social Studies is contagious. Creative, fun lessons that bring history to life are the result/benefit for her students. |
| Annie Schneider, Hamilton High School communication arts teacher, was nominated by a co-worker because:
Annie is always willing to listen whether it is a new idea or just trying to work out an issue with a current task. She has put in multiple hours with me on the curriculum team for ELA and always helps me stay focused and positive. |
| Peter Dargatz, Woodside Elementary School kindergarten teacher, was nominated by a parent because:
Mr. Dargatz’s passion for teaching is so evident every single day. He takes creativity and engaged learning to a new level with his Nature Kindergarten program and our child flourished this year in his indoor & outdoor classrooms! It was a joy for us as parents to watch her confidence grow as well. Thank you! |
| Bridget Jimmerson, Marcy Elementary School special education teacher, was nominated by a co-worker because:
Creative and engaging lesson plans to motivate learning in her classroom. |
| Brian Balfany, Lannon Elementary School principal, was nominated by a co-worker because:
Brian is an amazing colleague. He is a great listener and is always glad to help problem solve. I appreciate his willingness to dig into the hard work while also bringing levity to any situation. He has had to balance the stress of this spring with planning summer school. That has not been easy for him- but he has dug in and gotten the job done while entertaining his colleagues with his humor. He is a great partner on this crazy journey. |
| Kristin Koeper Hamblin, Maple Avenue Elementary School principal, was nominated by a co-worker because:
Kristin is such a great listener! She is always willing to help me process and talk through a challenge. She truly wants to help and will take the time to help find the resources or direction that will help me. She does this while balancing two busy boys at home. I can always count on her to answer my calls and help me reframe the day! She is a great friend and colleague! |
| Wendy Horsens, Marcy Elementary School technology teacher, was nominated by a co-worker because:
I want to thank Wendy for her care and compassion for one of our neediest students. She has gone above and beyond to reach out to him and help guide him through this spring. He waits eagerly for her daily phone calls. She is the light in his life this spring. She has also been a great support to me. She has been a great colleague! |
| Christy Schwechel, Silver Spring Intermediate School fifth grade humanities teacher, was nominated by a student because:
She is the best teacher I have had and I would even want her for next year in 6th grade. |
| Julie Datka, Silver Spring Intermediate School sixth grade math and science teacher, was nominated by a co-worker because:
Julie is a great collaborator, always willing to share her ideas with other teachers. She works diligently on her lessons with the goal of getting all her students engaged and excited about learning. |
| Michele Trawicki, Marcy Elementary School principal, was nominated by a parent because:
Michele has created an environment that truly embodies “positive school culture”. From our first time meeting her to each encounter with other staff members and a line-up of INCREDIBLE teachers, it is clear that she has worked tirelessly to create a culture where teachers are empowered to create innovative and warm spaces for kids to learn and grow. We are so grateful to Michele for her leadership, compassion, and insight and we feel lucky to have been part of the special magic of Marcy. |
| Lisa Schmeling, Templeton Middle School eighth grade teacher, was nominated by a co-worker because:
Lisa has been a fantastic teammate, collaborator and always offered support during virtual learning. |
| Amy Baranowski, Templeton Middle School eighth grade teacher, was nominated by a co-worker because:
Amy has been a fantastic teammate, collaborator and always offered support during virtual learning. |
| Kelsey Jasinski, Templeton Middle School eighth grade teacher, was nominated by a co-worker because:
Kelsey has been a fantastic teammate, collaborator and always offered support during virtual learning. |
| Amy Wilde, Templeton Middle School eighth grade teacher, was nominated by a co-worker because:
Amy has been a fantastic teammate, collaborator and always offered support during virtual learning. She also advised the Yearbook Club this year which put together an OUTSTANDING and very creative yearbook commemorating the 50th anniversary of TMS! |
| Karen Zielinski, Templeton Middle School eighth grade teacher, was nominated by a co-worker because:
Karen has continually worked hard to create motivational learning experiences for her students and be supportive of colleagues with her positive attitude, enthusiasm and humor! |
| Rhonda Watton, Templeton Middle School eighth grade teacher, was nominated by a co-worker because:
Rhonda is always on the hunt for the next super cool activity to do with her U.S. History students. She never gives up! She has done such innovative and creative activities with her students. They are so lucky to have her! |
| John Plese, Templeton Middle School fitness education teacher, was nominated by a co-worker because:
Plese always has a smile on his face and keeps spirits high. He’s a pleasure to work with and always thinks of others. You’ll know when he’s around because he’s the coolest guy in the hall. |
| Ryan Miller, Hamilton School District manager of IT, was nominated by a co-worker because:
Ryan has been working hard on transitioning Lannon to the new phone system. He has been doing a great job to make sure that everything is working properly. The whole IT department does a tremendous job balancing all the projects, help desk tickets, etc. Always a pleasure to see and work with. |
| Keith Murphy, Hamilton School District network systems specialist, was nominated by a co-worker because:
Keith has been working hard on transitioning Lannon to the new phone system. He has been doing a great job to make sure that everything is working properly. The whole IT department does a tremendous job balancing all the projects, help desk tickets, etc. Always a pleasure to see and work with. |
| Jon Kornbeck, Hamilton School District technology support specialist, was nominated by a co-worker because:
Jon has been working hard on transitioning Lannon to the new phone system. He has been doing a great job to make sure that everything is working properly. The whole IT department does a tremendous job balancing all the projects, help desk tickets, etc. Always a pleasure to see and work with. |
| Abigail Thompson, Hamilton High School special education teacher, was nominated by a co-worker because:
When asked what has been the most helpful thing during virtual learning, my immediate answer is my team. Without Abby, this would have been unimaginable. I am grateful for her creativity, collaboration, persistence, heart, organization, and willingness to learn new things! |
| Megan Rauter, Hamilton High School special education teacher, was nominated by a co-worker because:
When asked what has been the most helpful thing during virtual learning, my immediate answer is my team. Without Megan, this would have been unimaginable. I am grateful for her creativity, collaboration, persistence, heart, organization, and willingness to learn new things! I am grateful to be part of this team. |
| Tanya Simonis, Woodside Elementary School paraprofessional, was nominated by a co-worker because:
Tanya joined the Woodside special education team during virtual learning and hit the ground running right away. She was extremely flexible and took on anything asked of her without hesitation. Tanya was always willing to help out any way she could. She is a positive, kind-hearted, and encouraging member of the team. Thank you Tanya for EVERYTHING you did for our special education students. |
| Aaron Greenwald, Woodside Elementary School fourth grade teacher, was nominated by a co-worker because:
I have debated about whether I should nominate Aaron because we are not only co-workers, but we have been married for over 20 years! But it’s important that he knows that he does such a great job with his kids. During virtual learning we had the unique opportunity to work together. Aaron really went above and beyond, making sure his kids had what they really needed. Aaron doesn’t give up on his kids. Ever. He was a wonderful teammate and helped troubleshoot, problem-solve, and motivate each day! |
| Joseph Schaeffler, Silver Spring Intermediate School head custodian, was nominated by a co-worker because:
Outstanding job of getting building in shape! |
| Katie Little, Hamilton School District instructional services supervisor, was nominated by a co-worker because:
Katie has continued to maintain her positive, high energy and encouraging demeanor throughout the challenges this last school year has brought. She has been supportive and flexible and will be missed! |
| Shannon Flaherty, Templeton Middle School applied engineering and technology teacher, was nominated by a parent because:
I would like to thank Shannon for all the extra time he spent with my son during virtual learning. All the personal phone calls, extra videos, emails, google hangout chats to help him through his assignments. Shannon also took the time to personally reach out to all of his 8th grade students to wish them well in high school. He has truly gone above and beyond to help my son be successful in his class. Shannon is such a dedicated, caring and kind teacher and a true asset to TMS. |
| Renee Mysliwski, Hamilton School District summer school assistant coordinator, was nominated by a co-worker because:
Renee rolls with the punches and finds a way to overcome any obstacle. Every year we encounter new “opportunities” with Summer Opportunities. This year in particular virtual Summer School has been a beast to manage, yet Renee has stayed the course, problem-solved, and maintained flexibility, all the while implementing a brand new system. She is greatly appreciated! |
| Denise Dorn Lindberg, Hamilton School District Public Information Office and volunteer programs coordinator, was nominated by two co-workers because:
I loved working as a team with her and collaborating on our ideas. Her praise and encouragement were genuine, she made me feel heard and like a valued employee. My skill set grew exponentially under her guidance and I will forever be grateful for the time we had together. Denise seeks innovative and meaningful ways to recognize the efforts of others. She is professional, sincere, and considerate in her communication. The best example of Denise’s work is the Hamilton High Five nomination process she organized. This process is well organized, easy to complete, and is very meaningful to others. Thank you Denise! |