The district is pleased to announce the October 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	Brian Zimmerman has a heart for being especially helpful.  When Brian sees a need, he rolls up his sleeves and gets busy.  As an example, at the October in-service, he attended one of the wellness sessions. Brian went into the kitchen afterward and washed all the dishes on his own.  Little things like this make everyone’s day brighter, and Brian is known for this kind of action.  Brian is always looking for tools and tricks to help his students and looks out for their social, emotional, and academic needs.  Congratulations from your colleagues.
	McKay	Leslie Gard Leslie is a rockstar and the glue that holds us together. She can do it all, and we would be lost without her. She is a go-to problem solver. She is competent, proficient, professional, compassionate, and creative. She is our go-to gal for anything tech related. McKay is a better place with her on our team.
	Sherwood	Genia McDougal is patient, kind, and loving to students she works with and has a heart of gold.  She is a team player, sees the passion kids have for living creatures, and uses her connections to bring those creatures to school to provide joy and curiosity.  Danielle Veitenheimer shows strength and resiliency despite challenges, makes a huge difference every day, sees the value in each person, and is a passionate advocate for her team and students.  She takes the time to communicate with others even though it is not the easiest thing to do.
	Washington	Heidi Dinning has transformed our library into a wonderful and welcoming space for students to read. She has been working very hard to get students checking out books and loving to read! I also appreciate her support in helping me with getting OBOB ready to go for this school year. She is a valuable team member to Washington!
	Sunridge	Rick Scheibner is one of the most dedicated counselors I have ever had the pleasure of working with. He constantly goes above and beyond to make sure that students have what they need, that the teachers he works with are supported, and that the entire school runs smoothly. He puts in hours beyond what is expected of him, and never once asks for recognition. He is an inspiration to all. Thank you for all you do for SMS, Mr. Scheibner!
	PHS	Brianna Voorhies PHS would like to celebrate and recognize the outstanding contributions of our Attendance Secretary, Brianna Voorhies. Brianna has gone above and beyond in enhancing the quality of communication at Pendleton High School. Her talent and creativity in graphics and design have transformed the slides for our TV displays, making information not only more presentable but also engaging and interesting for our students and staff. Her attention to detail and artistic touch has truly elevated how we communicate within our school community. Thank you, Brianna, for your dedication and hard work in making Pendleton High School an even more vibrant place!
	Hawthorne/Homestead	Alesha Walker is being recognized for her contributions to the Hawthorne program.  As a new addition to the team, Alesha has done a great job learning the ins and outs of her position and has helped get the year off in a positive direction.  She is willing to jump in and help out wherever needed and has quickly become a valued member of the Hawthorne/PTech crew!
	District Office/ Maintenance	Liz Smootz has been a great addition to the District Office!  Liz’s positive attitude, hard work, dedication, and sense of humor make her a great co-worker.  She is willing to help out in any area and maintains a strong connection to the students in the classroom.
	Nixyáawii Community School	Rayne Spencer for hard work and dedication to the volleyball team.