The district is pleased to announce the December 2021 Staff in the Spotlight recipients. Every month, each of our schools honors a staff member at their building for going above and beyond their regular duties or for doing something special. Join us in celebrating these outstanding employees!

	PELC	Sarah Leonard for being a team player. She is always willing to help others and does so with a smile and warm heart. Sarah makes great connections with her students and creates a positive environment for all. She is so kind and makes students feel safe, comfortable, and welcome!
	McKay	Anne Keeler for working so hard to meet all kids’ needs academically and socially. Anne provides engaging lessons in all areas of the curriculum. She is excited about teaching, which results in her students being excited about learning. She cares so much about each and every student and gives so much of her time to make learning and growing the best it can be
	Sherwood	Courtney Summerfield – for being a most amazing teacher. She has a lot of patience and love for her students. She is a powerful guiding light for her students. She is a calm and positive influence to all those around her. She makes Sherwood a better place, and we are lucky to have her.
	Washington	Marjorie Orwig– for going out of her way to meet the needs of the students. She is amazing at her job.
	Sunridge	Athena Nelson – No one cares more than Mrs. Nelson. She is constantly checking on other people, especially new teachers, making sure everyone is feeling ok. She is equally invested in students, learning about them as individuals, and helping them be successful in school. Mrs. Nelson also does a great job in lifting morale and having fun drawings. What a great way to build a fun school community.
	PHS	Schelle Bixler – She is a dynamic teacher who gives students many opportunities for hands-on learning. Mrs. Bixler makes herself available to students before and after school when they need extra help, and she has always been quick to respond to concerned parents. Mrs. Bixler has a talent for engaging students in compelling discussions, motivating them to be inquisitive and think outside the box. She is a caring and compassionate teacher who genuinely wants every student to succeed and reach their maximum potential.
	Hawthorne/ Homestead	Kelly Simpson – When Kelly Simpson came to us at Hawthrone, the program blossomed. Kelly is empathetic, always has time to listen and has made an impact on many lives. His presence will be missed, more than he realizes. Thank you, Kelly, for being a wonderful coworker, teacher and pseudo administrator for Hawthorne.
	District Office	Jenny Corey – for going the extra mile with home visits to make sure our students are successful in PVLA. She works with families to make sure they have the resources and support they need so that students can thrive in an online environment.
	Nixyáawii	Robby Bill – for working with students in need and filling in where needed.