School Board Outstanding Employee Awards

Kristyn Strauss, kindergarten teacher, Hazelwood Elementary

Kristyn has taught at Hazelwood Elementary for two years; she previously taught in schools in Columbus, Ohio. She is thoughtful, compassionate and curious; just the kind of qualities she works to instill in her kindergarten students. She implements evidence-based teaching strategies into her curriculum for early literacy support and mathematics. She offers each student nurturing guidance and respect to build their confidence. She builds an inclusive classroom through a broad selection of literacy books and even celebrates her student’s family cultures with lesson about cultural celebrations that include foods, traditions, and language. Kristyn works to engage families in classroom instruction by sending home curriculum packets and books that clearly communicate goals for math and reading progress. She is dedicated to continuous professional growth and assists other educators at her school in constant improvement of classroom management and instruction. And, she’s working with her school grant-writing team to explore funding options for additional curriculum training. Kristyn is interested in how others around the world are educating children; recently visiting South Africa over mid-winter break. And she is the founder of SPROUTS Early Learning Company which provides classroom-tested curriculum materials, ideas and direction for families to continue education at home.

Lance Winmill, Science Teacher, Renton High School

Lance has been an educator for more than two decades, all that time serving students at Renton High School. He also serves Renton High students as the head cross-country and track coach. Lance’s wife, Marissa, is also a teacher serving students for 20 years in the Kent School District.

Lance is known to students and families for making school a safe learning environment where students can take risks to learn new things and engage in open discussions without fear of ridicule by others: a life-skill every student needs in high school, college, and into the workplace. Lance’s classroom is rigorous and rewarding as he equips students with skills that help them grow intellectually while increasing self-esteem and confidence. Lance provides students a chance at their full International Baccalaureate (IB) Diploma and is known to invest in students after school and during school breaks and vacations. Lance has partnered with the University of Washington Institute for Science and Math, and the Science Education Partnership through Fred Hutch Cancer Research Center for expertise, equipment and materials to run labs in his classroom including crime scene activities. Lance shares these activities with colleagues at his school and others across the state.

Laretha Todd, a parent of a student in Lance’s classroom said, “It’s fortunate to have such a strong, passionate, dedicated, caring, knowledgeable, and professional educator during my son’s high school years.”

Lisa Koenigsberg-Roshon, Behavior Technician, Renton Academy

Lisa is an outstanding building support person who takes on many roles including family engagement coordinator to support the school improvement plan. She has re-vamped the school's family engagement activities in a variety of ways, including home visits, weekly phone calls to families, monthly workshops or school events, and more. She has also created parent-friendly brochures for elementary students that explain grade level expectations. She has developed relationships with students throughout the school (beyond the students in her classroom) that positively impact their behavior and improves their learning experience. She motivates other staff members to be involved in family engagement activities.

Lisa is committed to her work, believes in students, knows the value of family engagement, and empowers other staff to become involved.

Luis Montes, Lead Custodian, Dimmitt Middle School

Luis Montes is known to Dimmitt Middle School students, staff, and families as someone who goes about his work with knowledge, skill and pride. His commitment to his work means he has far greater responsibility than simply the school’s lead custodian (which would be plenty for most folk); he’s an educator, a mentor, a friend. He’s the first face students see when they get to school in the morning as he ushers them to the cafeteria for breakfast and a healthy start to their day. He’s constantly busy doing his work to keep the school clean and healthy, and even finds time to help jump start dead batteries in the parking lot. To better connect with students, Luis created a training system for students in the school’s cafeteria to teach them a solid work ethic, accountability, and what it means to take pride in your work. A military veteran, Luis is a featured speaker during the school’s annual Veteran’s Day celebration and remains active as a retired medic for the Marines.

Monique Wise, Executive Assistant, Department of Learning & Teaching

Monique is key participant in many district-level systems and activities. She was instrumental in helping to launch the district’s new website which helps communicate much of the district’s work to students, families and staff. She remains a primary resource as an auditor for ongoing website review. She is instrumental in creating and providing remediation training for teams from various district departments which serves as great learning opportunities and collaboration for many department staff.

Monique is a self-starter who continuously builds on her knowledge and skill through independent research and study which works to support school staff through the district.

Her investment of time and effort helps so many others become excited, engaged, and invested in themselves. She plants a seed for excellence and that spreads rapidly to those she encounters.