The district is pleased to announce the March 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 Monkman – Congratulations to Melissa Monkman, PELC Staff in the Spotlight recipient for this month. Mrs. Monkman is an active staff member at the PELC, organizing two successful book fairs this year in addition to serving as one of two Title 1 intervention specialists. Mrs. Monkman is a champion for students and literacy, working diligently to ensure students who need extra support get that support on a daily basis using research-based strategies. Mrs. Monkman also organizes the car line dismissal system and keeps the Little Buck Room filled with innovative and engaging activities to help build social skills. We appreciate Melissa Monkman!
	McKay	Patti Thorne – Patti steps up and always fills gaps in our day. She prioritizes students by keeping them safe and making decisions that are best for kids. She always has a smile on her face, and she pitches in and helps wherever help is needed. The students love her for good reasons. She is calming and looks out for their best interests. She is one in a million! We’d be lost without her.
	Sherwood	Genia McDougall – Genia is an amazing asset to our team. She is patient, kind, caring, and understanding towards students. She does an amazing job working with students who need extra support. She does an excellent job supporting kids and building connections with them. She has several students who look for her when they are upset or need assistance from an adult. She has a group of students who request to sit at her table during lunch and who always ask to work with her in her room. She always shows grace and patience to the adults who work with her, and she is willing to help in any way possible. We are lucky to have her here at Sherwood.
	Washington	Darla Patterson – Washington Elementary is recognizing Darla Patterson for her consistent effort in going above and beyond to keep our building clean. With Darla’s positive attitude, she was able to get us through a difficult cold and flu season, responding to frequent classroom calls, clean-ups, and garbage changes while still fulfilling all of her daily operational responsibilities. Darla does this with positivity and a calm demeanor, even in tough situations. We could not do without Darla!
	Sunridge	Nichole Erwin – Nichole is always positive and open-minded with students and staff. We also love her enthusiasm for teaching science, and it’s wonderful to see how much the kids appreciate her. Students thoroughly enjoy learning in her class. She goes above and beyond to help her students whenever possible.
	PHS	Stu Clem – Mr. Clem’s leadership program at PHS is simply unparalleled. As a teacher, Mr. Clem embodies the very essence of dedication and positivity, making every day at PHS an opportunity for growth, learning, and development for both students and staff. His leadership class stands out as a beacon of excellence within the educational landscape, engaging students with innovative teaching methods that not only impart knowledge but also foster critical thinking, teamwork, and personal development. Mr. Clem’s positive attitude is infectious, creating an environment where students feel valued, heard, and motivated to push their boundaries. This approach has been instrumental in building a cohesive and supportive school community where everyone is encouraged to work towards their best selves. Moreover, Mr. Clem’s impact extends beyond the confines of his leadership class. He is a pillar of the PHS community, contributing significantly to creating a nurturing and inclusive environment. His efforts to make the school a better place is palpable in every hallway, classroom, and school activity, making PHS not just a place to team but a place to thrive.   Go Bucks!
	Hawthorne/Homestead	Wes Armstrong – Hawthorne is so lucky to have Wes Armstrong! He makes all our jobs easier. He is super in tune with the students and has some that have really improved under his mentoring. He brings vital speakers into the PBL program and really tries to get counseling set up for the students who want it. He works with the CARE program, meeting with them twice a month. He really believes in students and their success. A big part of that is they can feel he cares.
	District Office/ Maintenance	Rayella Walker – Rayella is a hard worker, has a positive attitude, and always greets everyone with a smile. She does an amazing job at keeping PSD facilities looking amazing inside and out. She has a great work ethic and is always willing to help out wherever she is needed.
	Nixyaawii Community School	No submissions this month.