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During a Yelm Community Schools (YCS) Board of Directors meeting on Thursday, Oct. 23, principals from every school in the district honored two staff members from their respective location with “Instructional Excellence” and “Instructional Support Excellence” awards.
Dr. Lisa Cadero-Smith, YCS assistant superintendent, detailed the significance behind the awards prior to the nine principals introducing the recipients. She said the awards recognize the district’s “incredible educators and support staff” who go above and beyond to make a difference for YCS students every day.
“First, we have the Instructional Excellence Award, which honors teachers who would elevate student learning through impactful instruction and then create classroom environments
that are grounded in dignity and belonging,” Cadero-Smith said. “Next, we’ll recognize our paraeducators with the Instructional Support Excellence Award. We’re honoring their steadfast commitment to student success. Their support helps create inclusive, welcoming classrooms where every learner is known, valued and encouraged.”
McKenna Elementary
The recipient of the Instructional Excellence Award from McKenna Elementary was Mylisha Lanegan, a special education teacher. The recipient of the Instructional Support Excellence Award from McKenna Elementary was paraeducator Kara Ligman.
Though Jodi Jarmin, McKenna Elementary’s principal, wasn’t present at the school board meeting last Thursday, she provided a written statement to be read about both award recipients during the event.
“Not even two years ago, Mylisha was asked to take the major shift in her career after the levy failure,” Jarmin wrote of Lanegan. “She was asked to step into the role of special education teacher — something she hadn’t originally planned to do. Because she was endorsed in this area, and it allowed her to stay in her position at the time, she graciously accepted the challenge.”
“Kara joined McKenna last year and has been a wonderful asset, consistently supporting students each and every day,” Jarmin wrote of Ligman. “Since starting the position, she has taken on some challenging roles — approaching each one with grace, patience and a smile on her face. Kara is always willing to help when she is needed, even when a task isn’t exactly what she signed up for.”
Southworth Elementary
The Instructional Excellence Award recipient from Southworth Elementary was first grade teacher Jana Holterman. The Southworth Elementary recipient of the Instructional Support Excellence Award was paraeducator Diane Neri.
“As a building, we struggled to try and inspire our own staff. We had a very hard, struggling time at the end of the year trying to figure out who we want to become and where we want to go. I asked for input, and there was one person who stood up and said ‘I have an idea,” Charles Cook, Southworth Elementary principal, said of Holterman. “Jana came up with the idea of the energy bus, and talking about how we should look at professional development as reenergizing our staff.”
“Diane has been at Southworth for a very long time and is committed to Yelm Community Schools,” Cook said of Neri. “She’s probably best well-known for her leadership outside as a recess supervisor, but she is much more. She is the heart and soul of Southworth.”
Mill Pond Elementary
The recipient of Mill Pond Elementary’s Instructional Excellence Award was third grade teacher Mackenzie Dust. The Instructional Support Excellence Award at Mill Pond Elementary was given to paraeducator Jennifer Ryle.
“Our instructional excellence award goes to Mackenzie Dust. She is a valued third grade teacher and a strong member of our staff who has served in many roles throughout the years,” Becky Fowler, Mill Pond Elementary principal, said of Dust. “Miss Dust has taught fifth grade, intervention, first grade and comes to us this year as a third grade teacher.”
“Jen Ryle is a dedicated para-professional who supports literacy and social-emotional learning in our building,” Fowler said of Ryle. “Each morning, Jen warmly greets students and checks in with those who may be struggling — providing bright energy and encouragement.”
Lackamas Elementary
The recipient of Lackamas Elementary’s Instructional Excellence Award was first grade teacher Kayla Mellema. The school’s Instructional Support Excellence Award went to paraeducator Sonja Cox.
“It’s really important to recognize Kayla for the incredible journey that she has taken in just two years of teaching,” Starla Watson, Lackamas Elementary principal, said of Mellema. “Last year, just being her first year, that disillusionment phase where the typical teacher faces moments of questioning all of their life’s decisions came very fast for Kayla. Instead of letting those moments define her, she embraced every piece of feedback, using it as fuel for tremendous growth.”
Fort Stevens Elementary
The Fort Stevens Elementary recipient of the Instructional Excellence Award was Jacqueline Gathany, second grade teacher. The recipient of the school’s Instructional Support Excellence Award was paraeducator Mary Dewees.
“I’ve known (Gathany) the entire time that I’ve been at Fort Stevens,” Lisa Crowell, Fort Stevens Elementary principal, said of Gathany. “She started in the office as an OP-three, and then she became an OP-five. One day, she came to me and said she wanted to become a teacher. I said, ‘oh, you gotta do it. You’ll be amazing.’ She absolutely has excelled as a classroom teacher.”
“I’ve known Mary almost the entire time that I’ve been at Fort Stevens as a parent and as a paraeducator,” Crowell said of Dewees. “She’s the type of person who always has my back. Mary serves as an instructional para-professional in our math department, and excels as a recess supervisor.”
Prairie Elementary
Prairie Elementary’s recipient of the Instructional Excellence award was Tabitha Nevy, a third grade teacher. The school’s recipient of the Instructional Support Excellence Award was paraeducator Vivian Fulkerson.
“She was a teacher over at Ridgeline, but prior to that had already taught at Prairie,” Holly Ackerman, Prairie Elementary principal, said of Nevy. “I already knew of Tabitha because my kids went to Ridgeline and I knew her math instruction was really strong. As soon as I heard she was willing to come to Prairie, I was pretty excited and ready to have her on board.”
“You’ve been here for how many years, 18? Vivian is a para-educator in our learning resource center,” Ackerman said of Fulkerson. “I had known Vivian when I taught at Mill Pond as a teacher and we kind of connected at that time. She’s just a really awesome person. Let me tell you about what she does at our school. If you look at the words student advocate, kindness or genuine belief in a dictionary, you’d find Vivian’s name.”
Yelm Middle School
Yelm Middle School’s recipient of the Instructional Excellence Award was Philip Arnold, a social studies teacher. The school’s Instructional Support Excellence Award recipient was paraeducator Sean McKale, who unfortunately was not in attendance at the meeting.
“This is his 20th year in the district… He has always been, in his time here, a caring and energetic teacher who connects with kids,” Mark Bowden, YMS principal, said of Arnold. “The kids like being there, but he has high expectations. It’s fun to go into his class and know kids are going to be learning.”
Ridgeline Middle School
The Ridgeline Middle School recipient of the Instructional Excellence Award was Erin Bear, an art specialist. The school’s Instructional Support Excellence Award winner was paraeducator Nikita Little.
“Erin teaches art at Ridgeline, and I can put any student in her class and I know, even if they’re not good at art, that they’re going to love that class,” Craig Curry, RMS principal, said of Bear. “She is super supportive, super nurturing, but she also gets results from her kids.”
“If you have special programs in your school, you know you need amazing people serving these kids. Nikita is in her first year at Ridgeline, and she has been a Godsend,” Curry said of Little. “She brings so much value and talent to Ridgeline. She’s a para in our CLC — our comprehensive learning center — where students are learning life skills, behavior skills and academics.”
Yelm High School
Yelm High School’s recipient of the Instructional Excellence Award was Elianne Fisher, an American Sign Language teacher. The school’s Instructional Support Excellence Award winner was paraeducator Monica Allen.
“We were fortunate enough that she decided to apply for the job,” Curtis Cleveringa, YHS principal, said of Fisher. “Our kids get the opportunity to work with Miss Fisher every day, and there are 130 kids every day that get to experience something that I would say is one of the most unique educational experiences that I have witnessed in my 27-year career.”
“We are recognizing a para-professional that the moment we saw her interact with our kids, we knew that we had a great person,” Cleveringa said of Allen. “Sometimes you just know that they have ‘it,’ and Monica definitely has ‘it.’ We are very lucky she joined our team.”
