School Board Outstanding Employee Awards

Julie Mead, 2nd-grade teacher, Hazelwood Elementary

Julie works tirelessly to engage, motivate, and inspire her students. She’s created a personalized independent work

checklist for each child to track specific strengths and provide individual assignments to challenge and reward students; she provides prompt and efficient communication with students and families; she works to acknowledge students’ feelings and offers emotional check-ins; and she provides constant encouragement to children to do their best and be proud of their work and accomplishments. Julie has even taken up playing the video game Minecraft to better understand how students use their free time, and to incorporate some of the things students love into classroom learning. Families say their children are thriving in Julie’s classroom because of her approach to learning and her enabling, positive atmosphere. Students in Julie’s class feel a sense of inclusion, a safe space to celebrate unique differences, and the hope for constant growth and achievement.

 

Sarah Roberts, 1st-grade teacher, Hazelwood Elementary

Sarah gives generously, selflessly and intentionally to students, families, and coworkers. This year, she stepped up in

meaningful and impactful ways to help familiarize and inspire staff as we moved fully to remote learning; walking 1^st-graders through new learning habits like finding websites, links, materials, and daily assignment routines; encouraging families with resilience throughout the year of change; and even assisting in managing school operations as her principal was on maternity leave. Sarah celebrates every child in special, unique ways, like celebrating student birthdays by having classmates practice "compliment circle" to recognize special attributes and honoring them with compliments. Sarah teaches American Sign Language to students as a tool to engage and communicate with someone different. Sarah recognizes each household has different needs and makes herself available for students and parents, including hosting lunch bunch gatherings that bridging both AM & PM classmates together. Sarah works to fulfill family needs by cultivating collaboration with staff and families.

marvice Thornton, math Teacher, Renton High School

Marvice has been an educator in our district for 21 years, serving students at Kennydale Elementary, Dimmit Middle

School, and, for nearly the past decade, Renton High School. She grew-up in the Skyway/West Hill of the district and graduated from Renton High in 1994.

Marvice is known for helping students believe in themselves, trust their math skills, and find their voice, passion, and self-worth. Her students appreciate her ability to make them excited about math and the subject easy to understand. She pays close attention to her student’s individual likes and dislikes and uses them to make connections to learning math.

She connects with Renton High students in many other ways: as an advisor to student clubs including Black Student Union and UNISEF; as a statistician for football and basketball teams; to provide opportunities for scholarships; and so much more.

She lives Renton High’s motto of Pride, Tradition and Excellence, and uses it to guide how she represents Renton High School, and the district.

Marilyn Wayman-terry, office manager, Dimmitt Middle School

Marilyn’s work has always been to serve as a role model for students, especially girls. Whether volunteering at meetings, chaperoning field trips, or assisting as a Girl Scout troop leader, she devotes herself to inspiring girls to recognize their potential as tomorrow's leaders: to earn good grades, make good decisions, and set themselves up to lead happy, fulfilling lives. Her work is always to create a more fair, equal, and compassionate world where every girl has a seat at the table. Marilyn has served more than three decades in the district, most at Dimmitt Middle School. Her experience and voice are valued as she serves on district-level hiring committees, serves as her building union representative, and as a conduit to the Skyway/West Hill communities.

Her work ethic, and her variety of perspectives, experiences, and talents create at Dimmitt a stronger, more successful climate and culture.

Marilyn’s contribution to her school, the district, and the community is her ability to inspire confidence that comes with being a role mode.

 

Joe McPherson, Counselor, Cascade Elementary School

Joe establishes strong relationships with students and families, serving as faculty advisor to Cascade’s student council, facilitating weekly meetings with teachers in support of their students, and as an active collaborator in developing specific intervention plans. He is skilled at developing school-wide programs to support culture; specifically, spirit days, attendance programs, recognition events, and the virtual playground. Joe also works closely with school Social and Emotional Learning support staff to identify students for small group work; he does regular home visits to support families and eliminate barriers to attendance; mentors a counseling intern from a local university; and supports colleagues with specialized training across the district.

Students love Joe and connect with him easily. Through these relationships and Joe's great sense of humor, students learn strategies for staying regulated so that they can remain engaged in learning. As a National Board Certified Teacher, Joe is a leader among the district counselors, providing solid resources and ideas to implement in buildings across the district.

Andre' Zerr, Student Information Services

Andre’ is the face of Student Information Services, the first place many parents are directed when they come to the district office or call the main phone line in need of support for their student. Andre’ greets families with a calm persona that allows them to better explain their concern or dilemma, which in turn allows for quicker, more accurate resolution.

Andre’ has worked tirelessly to implement the online registration process which is instrumental in allowing families to enroll students online rather than at schools. The online process became a critical part of keeping students, families, and staff safe during the pandemic, while also greatly reducing the workload for office managers across the district.