The district is pleased to announce the February 2024 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	Melissa Webb – Melissa always shows up to give the best help she can.  Melissa is helpful to teachers and students.  Her patience, humor, and kindness bring a lot of warmth to the PELC.  Melissa is positive and reliable.  When the team needs help, Melissa has proven that she will be there to get the job done.  Melissa is trained in the STAR program, works directly with a student, and supports classroom teachers.  The team counts on Melissa, and she doesn’t let them down.
	McKay	Hannah Crivellone – for being a positive, loving, and kind person to staff and students.  Hannah comes to work with a contagious smile.  The students that work with her love her.  She is awesome at her job.
	Sherwood	Cydney Curtis – for her hard work planning and implementing ODS.  She is very organized, succinct, and has clear communication.  Cydney is an amazing leader, and we are so lucky she is in charge of this great opportunity for our 5th graders.  Cydney is a knowledgeable teacher and role model.  When assisting and observing in her classroom, one can witness the success of her teaching as a result of her passion and intelligence.  Cydney does a great job structuring the learning for the many different educational levels and abilities of her students.  She uses many different instructional strategies in her classroom and delivers lessons in a very clear and organized manner.  Her scaffolding techniques are very impressive and encourages others to apply to their own teaching.  She is a very respectful and reliable peer and a dedicated teacher.  Cydney is a fantastic teammate.  She is always checking in to see how she can support her students.  She is a great mentor to both teachers and paraprofessionals.
	Washington	Bridget Schultz – Mrs. Schultz has been teaching for about 20 years, and we are fortunate to have her in 3rd Grade at Washington for the last two years, with the previous nine in Hermiston.  Mrs. Schultz is being recognized for being dedicated to her students and for her contribution to the 3rd Grade Reading Skills Groups.  We are lucky to have Bridget at Washington Elementary.  We value her experience, positive attitude, and her continued growth mindset for herself and her students.  Keep up the great work, Mrs. Schultz.
	Sunridge	Diana Ellis – Diana is doing such a great job of teaching our students and creating incredible recipes with them.  She is teaching a true life skill and making it relatable to our young audience.  Our students learn important skills and try new things because of her class.
	PHS	Jill Gregg – Jill is our dedicated ASPIRE mentor at PHS.  She truly embodies the spirit of going above and beyond in her role.  Her unwavering dedication to assisting students with their post-secondary plans is nothing short of inspiring.  Jill’s efforts extend far beyond the classroom as she works to ensure each student receives personalized guidance and support, helping them navigate the complex process of college applications, financial aid, and career planning with ease and confidence.  One of Jill’s most notable contributions has been her pivotal role in organizing our Family Forecasting Night.  Understanding the importance of involving families in their student’s educational journey, Jill has poured countless hours into making this event a resounding success.  Her attention to detail and proactive approach have been instrumental in creating a welcoming and informative environment for students and their families alike.  Jill’s extra effort in ensuring the smooth execution of the Family Forecasting Night speaks volumes about her commitment to our student’s futures.  She has thoughtfully addressed every aspect of the event, from logistics to content, making sure that the information provided is both comprehensive and accessible.  Her ability to anticipate and address potential challenges before they arise has been key to the event’s success, allowing families to focus on what truly matters – planning for their student’s future at PHS.  Go Bucks!
	Hawthorne/ Homestead	Tina Williams – Mrs. Williams’ provides a student friendly environment in her art classroom.  This environment is one where students feel comfortable when producing their artistic expressions and productions.  Students’ work is often displayed throughout the building, giving a sense of pride and ownership for their work.  Thanks Mrs. Williams for helping students have fun while tuning their art skills.
	District Office/ Maintenance	Ronda Thornburg – Ronda is such a pleasure to work with.  She is positive, friendly, and always willing to help out whenever she is needed.  Ronda is a resource of information for the staff in our buildings and the families/community members who come to the District Office.  We are fortunate to have Ronda working in the Pendleton School District.
	Nixyaawii	Christina Thomas – for going beyond the classroom for students.  Mrs. Thomas attends many sporting and cultural events in support of our students.  She has also worked numerous “optional” Friday school days to help students grow and be successful.