The district is pleased to announce the February 2025 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	Jessica Lambert  Congratulations to JESSICA LAMBERT – Pendleton Early Learning Center Staff in the Spotlight recipient for February. Jessica is a Kindergarten Teacher at the PELC, where she builds positive connections with both students and staff. Jessica has the ability to remain calm no matter the situation. Jessica sets firm yet reasonable and kind expectations for all students. Jessica’s expectations for both academics and behavior are high for all. In addition, Jessica is a teacher leader at the PELC, serving as the coordinator for the PELC staff for the Pendleton Art Show and as the Professional Learning Community (PLC) leader. Jessica is organized and reliable and is always there for us when we need her. We are all thankful to have the opportunity to work with such a great role model and teacher! Congratulations from your colleagues!
	McKay	Marques Johnson helps out with our kids so much every day. He takes on extra just to help out. We would be lost without him most of the time. The kids enjoy Mr. Marques so much. He truly is a special person. Marques is always flexible and open to doing whatever it takes to help out his McKay family. The kids love him and he makes strong connections with them on a day to day basis. Watching all kids be greeted with a smile and a high-five is part of what makes him stand out. Marques is a friend to every McKay Mustang!
	Sherwood	Luann Gorbett starts the day at Sherwood by greeting the students in carline with upbeat music and a contagious smile. Luann Gorbett is always willing to step up to the plate when anything is needed and she is amazing with the students. She is a kind and supportive co-worker and she is knowledgeable in her position and willing to help others and do what is needed to bring students to success. She has a delightful sense of humor and she is a good friend to many. Luann is a real go-getter and she offers to help out in any way she can. She does not wait to be asked to help, and if she knows something needs to be done, she offers her help. She not only helps staff and students but she goes out of her way to volunteer and help with the school PTO events whenever she can.
	Washington	Bridget Schultz is a dynamic, passionate and dedicated teacher who is always working to meet the needs of all students.  She is a wonderful team member, and is willing to step in and offer a hand with duties and coverages when she sees help is needed.  Bridget is an amazing addition to the Washington staff who makes a real difference in the learning environment and we appreciate everything about her!
	Sunridge	Emilee Oja – Mrs. Oja shows incredible dedication and makes a positive impact with her students. Her passion for teaching math is truly inspiring, and she has a unique ability to make even the most challenging concepts understandable and engaging. She is patient, encouraging, and always goes the extra mile to ensure her students feel confident in their abilities. Her classroom is a place where students feel supported, challenged, and motivated to do their best.
	PHS	Shelby McQuinn – PHS would like to recognize and celebrate the incredible impact Shelby has made as Lead Secretary at Pendleton High School. In just six short months, her positive energy, exceptional organizational skills, and fantastic interpersonal abilities have elevated our school to a new level of efficiency. Her dedication to creating and refining systems has made our daily operations smoother, and her commitment to fostering a supportive and welcoming environment has strengthened our school culture. Shelby’s enthusiasm is contagious, and her ability to juggle countless responsibilities while maintaining a smile does not go unnoticed. Thank you for your hard work, leadership, and unwavering support of our students and staff. Shelby makes Pendleton High School a better place every day, and we are so grateful to have her on our team!
	Hawthorne/ Homestead	Kim Richards utilizes her career in science education to meet the students at all levels of comprehension. She is able to take the more difficult topics for students and make them understandable.  She uses engaging discoveries and intriguing techniques that excite the students in their scientific discoveries, including gummi bear models and pig dissections. Keep up the great work Mrs. Richards!!
	District Office/ Maintenance	Austin Zaugg is our newest addition to the PSD maintenance team and brings with him a wealth of custodial leadership skills and the ability to speak Spanish, making him a valuable addition to the District.  He has taken the time to get to know all of the custodial staff, created/updated sub-custodial notes in English and Spanish, and meets with the evening custodial crew daily to ensure they have what they need or to answer any questions they may have.
	Nixyaawii	No submission this month.