Seanna Sunde
Paraeducator, Park Place Middle School
Core value exemplified: Student-centered
She has been super helpful to my daughter who has special needs. We appreciate her and value her work not just with my daughter but with all other students as well.

Shaleena Latendresse
SLC Paraeducator, Frank Wagner Elementary
Core value exemplified: Collaboration
Shaleena has stepped up to help students in the SLC at FWE while I have been out on FMLA. I would like to thank her for her collaboration and taking care of our students.

Kelly St. Martin
SLC Paraeducator, Frank Wagner Elementary
Core value exemplified: Student-centered
Kelly has stepped up in the SLC at FWE to work as a 1:1 for a student who is new to us this year. I appreciate all that she has done for this student while I have been out on FMLA.

Lizbeth Nogales
SLC Paraeducator, Frank Wagner Elementary
Core values exemplified: Collaboration & Student-centered
Lizbeth is an invaluable member of the Frank Wagner team. After serving as a paraeducator substitute for an extended period, she officially joined the team at Frank Wagner this year. Liz demonstrates an exceptional ability to connect with and support the students in her program. She goes above and beyond to ensure that they are included and feel supported both in and out of the classroom. Her dedication, compassion, and professionalism make her a true asset to our school community. We are incredibly fortunate to work with her each day. I appreciate Liz and all her hard work that she has put in with the students in the SLC while I have been out on FMLA. 

Christiana Farnsworth
SLC Paraeducator, Frank Wagner Elementary
Core value exemplified: Belonging
I want to thank Christiana for working with each and every student in the SLC and making them fell a sense of belonging at FWE.

Carlos Elles
Hispanic Family Liaison, District-wide
Core values exemplified: Excellence and Integrity
Summary of nominations: He’s kind, patient, and always takes the time to explain things clearly. He works well with others and has been a huge help whenever I’ve needed information about my daughters’ school. He provides excellent support with Spanish translation—both during meetings and when families need to communicate with the school. Carlos Elles is a very kind person and truly deserves to be recognized for his outstanding work.

Erin Strong
PBS Paraeducator, Maltby Elementary
Core value exemplified: Student-centered
Erin, you are amazing. You have such a positive way about you and work so wonderfully with our highest needs children. Thank you for choosing the role you do and support the students, but also us teachers.

Karina Blanquet
Office Support, Frank Wagner Elementary
Core value exemplified: Excellence
Karina consistently provides amazing "customer service" for FWE parents. She helps solve problems, finds solutions, and goes above and beyond daily! Thank you, Karina!

Spenser Marin
Paraeducator, Chain Lake Elementary
Core value exemplified: Student-centered
Spenser has taken the initiative to start a Mileage Club at Chain Lake Elementary. This club encourages all students to walk around the field at recess once a week. Students earn tokens for their miles and a bulletin board shows how far the whole school has "walked." Spenser has collaborated with parent volunteers and other CLE staff to support students in this endeavour.

Cletus Boyd
Maintenance, Facilities
Core value exemplified: Excellence
Cletus is always helping out when we are having a facilities issue. He always goes above and beyond! He is always friendly, kind, and has a smile while working. We are lucky to have him on our team!

Jesse Crowther
Director of Technology, District Administration Office
Core value exemplified: Excellence
Jesse is the true definition of expert service with a smile. You can always count on him to lift others up and bring new life to every room he enters. Despite the great challenges faced by the tech department, he continues to shine as an example of how, even in the face of seemingly impossible tasks, we can still maintain a cheerful demeanor and see each other as fellow humans first. He always goes above and beyond for everyone, and I appreciate so much everything he has done to help us at SVEC this year.

Susan Creager
Paraeducator, Monroe High School
Core value exemplified: Student-centered
Sue works with many of our teachers and students, specifically Freshmen, to support organization and academics. She has also recently joined our MTSS team and collaborates with staff to run our Build a Better Barcat room and academy. Students trust and respect her. We appreciate everything that she does!

Bus Attendants, Transportation
Core value exemplified: Excellence
These 3 are amazing and help keep our buses clean and fueled on a daily basis. Rain or shine they are out there getting the job done without complaint. Without them we would all be out of fuel and have dirty buses. Just wanted to make sure they know that we appreciate them! Thank you Alex, Craig, and Andy!

April Pierce
Lead Custodian, Monroe High School
Core value exemplified: Excellence
I cannot tell you how much I appreciate all April does for MHS. She consistently gives 110% every day. There have been so many times when I have asked a question or made a request, and she responds promptly. Part of our Core Value of Excellence states, "...exceeds expectations by providing...stellar customer service." April is the epitome of what this is all about. Thank you, April!

Austin Talbott
Counselor, Fryelands Elementary
Core value exemplified: Student-centered
Mr. T has been such a great support system for staff and students. His core values are student centered and I am so pleased to be able to work with him. Keep up the great work Mr. T.

Meghan Blair
Teacher, Maltby Elementary
Core value exemplified: Student-centered
Mrs Blair sets high standards for all of her students - academically and behaviorally - and truly believes they can achieve anything! She is intentional and creative in her teaching strategies, advocates for students’ needs constantly, and truly cares for each and every child’s well-being and success. The way she connects with students is so encouraging, and they feel like they are her students for life!

Gayle Murphy
PBS Teacher, Maltby Elementary
Core values exemplified: Excellence & Collaboration
Summary of nominations: Maltby Elementary is incredibly fortunate to have Gayle Murphy as part of our school family. From the moment she joined us, Gayle has brought warmth, energy, and a deep dedication to her students and colleagues. Her love for children is evident in the way she connects with them—encouraging, supporting, and helping each one feel valued every day.

Gayle’s classroom is a safe and structured space where students are met with patience, consistency, and genuine care. She uses creative strategies to keep students engaged and designs her program to meet each child’s academic, social, and emotional needs. Her belief in every student’s potential shines through in the way she advocates for their growth and celebrates their progress.

Her professionalism, compassion, and positive spirit have made her an integral part of the Maltby community. We are so grateful for the lasting impact she continues to make on our students, families, and staff.

Robin Carlson
Teacher, Fryelands Elementary
Core value exemplified: Collaboration
I am honored to nominate Robin for the Collaboration core value. Robin exemplifies what it means to work in partnership with families, consistently striving to ensure that her students receive the support they need—both academically and emotionally. Her commitment to whole-child care is evident in the way she thoughtfully engages with staff to coordinate additional services such as counseling and behavioral support, always advocating for what’s best for her students.

Beyond the classroom, Robin is a enthusiastic and dependable presence in our school community. She actively contributes to programs like ASB and School Patrol, demonstrating her dedication to creating a safe, inclusive, and spirited environment for all.

Robin is a deeply valued member of our school, and her efforts do not go unnoticed. Her collaborative spirit, compassion, and unwavering support for students and staff alike make her an essential part of what makes Fryelands so special.

Allyssa Rowland
Music Teacher, Fyelands Elementary
Core value exemplified: Excellence
I just wanted to take a moment to thank Ally for her continued efforts in helping include our students in general education specialists. At this point, all but one of our SLC students are now mainstreaming into a general education music class, a huge step forward!

Ally has been incredibly supportive throughout this process. She’s taken the time to collaborate with me to ensure our students are included as meaningfully as possible, and she’s also gone out of her way to make the paraprofessionals feel welcomed and valued.

I truly appreciate Ally’s dedication and inclusive approach, it’s made a real difference for our students.

Seth Krufka
Teacher, Monroe High School
Core value exemplified: Belonging
Mr. Krufka showed belonging to a student by taking the time to adjust the assignment.

Maria Aznar Serna
Teacher, Park Place Middle School
Core values exemplified: Collaboration & Belonging
Senora Aznar has helped, over the last year plus, to successfully roll up the Monroe School District Dual Program to Park Place. Her classroom is a place, first and foremost, where students are connected, feel safe & supported, and celebrated as multilingual learners. It's not uncommon to hear laughter, high engagement between students, and often music to keep their brains connected in TWO languages. What a gift you are to our students and our community in this celebration of culture and language. ¡Muchas Gracias, Señora! She is a teacher who makes an effort to include parents in their children’s activities and shows great respect and understanding toward her students—simply extraordinary work. 

La Señora Aznar ha ayudado, durante el último año y más, a trasladar con éxito el Programa Dual del Distrito Escolar de Monroe a Park Place. Su salón de clases es, ante todo, un lugar donde los estudiantes se sienten conectados, seguros, apoyados y celebrados como aprendices multilingües. No es raro escuchar risas, ver una alta participación entre los estudiantes y, a menudo, música que mantiene sus cerebros conectados en DOS idiomas. ¡Qué regalo eres para nuestros estudiantes y para nuestra comunidad en esta celebración de la cultura y el idioma! ¡Muchas gracias, Señora! 

Kristie Hilson
Principal, Park Place Middle School
Core value exemplified: Equity
She is a principal who includes all parents and shows respect toward those of us who do not speak English. She always addresses parents with respect, kindness, and courtesy.

Rachel From
SLP, Fryelands Elementary
Core value exemplified: Collaboration
Rachael is my AAC brainstorming partner, and recently she had a particularly brilliant idea to try with a student who had new, challenging behaviors but had plateaued on their AAC use. She makes our district better and makes me a better SLP!

Allison Peckenpaugh
Teacher, Fryelands Elementary
Core value exemplified: Collaboration
Mrs. BP is always ready with new ideas and how to bring our staff together. She organized a trip to Cle Elum Elementary. There, we got to learn more tips and tricks on how to better serve our students and staff through the WIN zone. She has also suggested PLC time on Friday for the behavioral support staff to learn from one another. Mrs. BP really does go above and beyond for her colleagues and students. Our Fryelands family wouldn't be the same without her. Thank you so much, Mrs. BP.

Shalla Mirkhani
TOSA, District Administration Office
Core value exemplified: Equity
During a staff training day, Shalla ensured we ALL had access to morale-building tools at the DO. Thanks so much, Shalla!

Stephanie Llanes
LAP Teacher, Fryelands Elementary
Core value exemplified: Excellence
Stephanie Llanes is the part-time LAP teacher at Fryelands Elementary, but one would never know it by how much she does and how many students and adults she supports! Stephanie exemplifies excellence! Stephanie is the spreadsheet queen and creates opportunity for data collection for the entire school. She coaches adults on best practice with UFLI and encourages students, para educators, and teachers to use our curriculum with as much fidelity as possible while allowing for flexibility with our youngest and highest needs learners. We have some of the highest quality reading teaching and learning because of Ms. Llanes. Our growth data is a direct reflection of the outstanding work that Stephanie does!

Meagan Davis
Teacher, Park Place Middle School
Core values exemplified: Student-centered and Excellence
Ms. Davis has gone out of her way to watch over and encourage my daughter. I am extremely grateful for the time and care she gives her students. If you have ever encountered Meagan Davis in her classroom or school/district meeting, she consistently brings her "A" game. She is truly a collaborative professional who seeks to always improve practice, instruction, and student experience. As a colleague, one can always trust Mrs. Davis to follow through and think outside the box while keeping student data at the forefront. She is a leader to many within our staff and is an educator who works tirelessly from the heart. Your service to the Puma community is always noticed. Thanks, Meg!

Cassandra Birkbeck
Teacher, Fryelands Elementary
Core value exemplified: Collaboration
I would like to nominate Cassie Birkbeck, a 5th-grade teacher at Fryelands Elementary, for her exceptional dedication and professionalism. Before going on maternity leave, she ensured that I had all the necessary information and organized materials to help me succeed as a long-term substitute in her classroom. She has also remained available to answer questions by demonstrating her unwavering commitment to the success of her students and colleagues. Thank you, Cassie!

Krysti Lachapelle
Teacher, Fryelands Elementary
Core value exemplified: Collaboration
Krysti has been an outstanding collaborator during my time as a long-term sub at Fryelands Elementary. Her support and teamwork continue to make a meaningful difference and help me navigate my teaching journey successfully.

Melissa (Missy) Harvold
Teacher, Park Place Middle School
Core value exemplified: Student-centered
Even though Ms. Harvold is new to Park Place & Monroe, she has jumped right in to be a core member of the Puma Community. She is student-centered first and foremost. Every student is celebrated, and her instructional actions ensure all students are learning and thriving at high levels. Students are highly engaged and consistently seek to positively participate and share their evidence of learning. Park Place is lucky to have you, Missy!

Alycia Dale
Long-term Substitute, Maltby Elementary
Core value exemplified: Belonging
Alycia has an incredible way of making everyone feel like they belong. Whether it’s greeting students with a smile each morning or checking in with staff to offer support, she creates a welcoming and inclusive atmosphere wherever she goes. Alycia truly helps make our school community feel like a family.