The district is pleased to announce the March 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	Kim Herron is a paraprofessional at the PELC. She builds relationships with students and staff that last over time. Kim is willing to step up to any task and is always looking ahead at what needs to be done and where she can help. Kim is willing to shift at any point in time, taking on unplanned duties and tasks with a positive attitude. Kim is the kind of person who looks out for others. On top of all this, Kim is reliable and makes the PELC a better place for all of us! Congratulations from the PELC family!
	McKay	Wendy Phillips goes above and beyond to connect with each student. Watching her in action is like attending a master class in kindness and high expectations. She treats everyone with respect, always finding the positive in every situation. Her warm smile never fades, even on the tough days. Wendy truly loves the students at McKay, greeting them with open arms, a hug, and an encouraging word. She is an outstanding teacher who pours her heart into her work, ensuring every child has the tools they need to succeed. Beyond the classroom, Wendy is always willing to step in and help wherever needed. She is kind, considerate, and full of wisdom, offering the best advice and unwavering support. Her dedication and passion for teaching make a lasting impact on everyone she meets.
	Sherwood	Aileen Edmonds starts her day by helping our students arrive safely at school at the crossing, which helps make the day go smoothly. She works so hard to create wonderful programs for the kids to share with parents and staff. We are thankful for her hard work in prepping, perfecting, and decorating for the holiday concert. She facilitates incredible concerts throughout the year that showcase our student’s talents beautifully. Time and time again, she pulls off the impossible, resulting in the sweetest performances by the Sherwood students. The kids enjoy her musical selections, and she adds movements to make it even more fun! Aileen connects with students, goes the extra mile to support those with challenging behaviors, and helps with bus duty even when she doesn’t have to. She is simply fantastic, an amazing staff member, and a team player. We are lucky to have Ms. Edmonds in the Spur family.
	Washington	Jennifer Fossek is a beloved assistant at Washington Elementary, having held various positions.  Her peers nominate her for her willingness to always step in, ensure everyone is covered, and take the lead in sharing changes to schedules.  She is the master crosswalk guard, smiling and waving at the cars each morning and afternoon, rain or shine!   Mrs. Fossek and her twin sister work together in Den 3 and spend extra time after hours decorating the halls of Den 3.  We appreciate all she does for us and are thankful she is a Wildcat!
	Sunridge	Liesl Follett is 100% committed to SMS. She works hard and is always kind to others. She goes above and beyond to learn new strategies that help support students who need different types of support. She is consistent, kind, and reliable.  SMS is lucky to have her. We appreciate everything she does!
	PHS	Jill Gregg – We want to take a moment to recognize and celebrate the incredible work of Jill Gregg, our dedicated ASPIRE Coordinator at Pendleton High School! Jill works tirelessly to support our students in becoming career and college-ready, providing them with invaluable mentoring, resources, and guidance as they navigate their futures. However, we want to give her special recognition for her hard work and dedication in making our Forecasting Family Night a huge success! Thanks to Jill’s exceptional organizational skills, leadership, and attention to detail, Forecasting Family Night has grown into a beloved tradition at PHS, one that truly benefits our students and families. Her efforts create a welcoming and informative experience that helps students make informed choices about their academic and career paths. Jill, we appreciate all you do for Pendleton High School and the future of our students. Your passion and dedication do not go unnoticed, and we are incredibly grateful to have you leading the way with ASPIRE!
	Hawthorne/Homestead	Annette Bittorf: As our Math teacher at Hawthorne, Annette does a phenomenal job of keeping our students engaged by providing them with meaningful activities at the appropriate level. It is difficult to address the academic needs of 9th-12th grade students in the same classroom, but she consistently comes up with creative ways to do just that. She is a foundational piece of our program and is greatly appreciated!
	District Office/ Maintenance	Thad Baum does an excellent job as a PSD maintenance staff member.  Thad is kind and knowledgeable about the task at hand.  Additionally, Thad has gone above and beyond this winter to keep the sidewalks, parking lot, and car line areas clean and clear of ice and snow.  Thad arrives early to check on the conditions so that we are ready to get kids and staff safely inside on slippery mornings.  We appreciate Thad’s willingness to work hard to keep our school safe
	Nixyaawii Community School	No submissions this month.