March 28, 2018 -- The theme across the CH-UH School District this year is “A Culture of Excellence”. In that spirit, each month CH-UH is recognizing employees who go above and beyond to create a culture of excellence in our district.
For March, CH-UH is honoring 12 people as the “Tiger Team Members of the Month”. Each honoree was nominated by a colleague--and in some instances multiple colleagues--and the nominees were then voted upon by a committee comprised of staffers across the district.
Since beginning this recognition program in October, CH-UH has received 285 nominations from across the district, including 28 new nominations in March.
The honorees will be recognized at the CH-UH Board of Education regular meeting on Tuesday, April 10.
Read about our previous honorees:
Tiger Team Members of the Month - March 2018
Heights High School
Kristin Dadas, Social Worker
“Kristin works tirelessly to meet the needs of our students. She collaborates daily with families and staff to help our most challenged students meet graduation requirements, develop plans to support their needs, and often she is following up just one more time to make sure our students feel loved and cared for. We are lucky to have such a wonderful, kind, and competent advocate for our students and families, and an awesome resource for our staff.”
Heights High School
Jeff Porter, Automotive Technology Teacher
“Mr. Porter creates an environment of excellence through his tireless efforts to create a culture of high expectations for each of his students. His ability to build relationships with community business partners, post-secondary institutions, and District leadership has created a collaborative environment where students are given the opportunity to be immersed in experiential learning both at school and in the community. This purposeful blend of theory and application is the core to his success and worthy of recognition.”
Monticello at Heights Middle School
Lynne Gaines, Intervention Specialist
“Lynne continuously goes above and beyond for her students in the resource room. She is patient and supportive and does everything she can to help her students gain the skills needed to problem solve and self advocate for their own needs. She has a phenomenal attitude and greets every day positively. We are very fortunate to have Ms. Gaines as a member of our team!”
Roxboro at Heights Middle School
Anna Gregory, ELA Support
“Mrs. Gregory is a tireless advocate for our students and works diligently to support the development of programming that will allow our students to grow academically. She has worked with a team to develop an after school intervention program, roll out the “One District One Book” initiative, and promote the Heights Middle School vision through supporting teacher collaboration.”
Boulevard Elementary
Sherri Bellini, Fourth Grade Gifted Teacher
“Sherri works extremely well with her grade level team, looks out for many other students in a mentoring capacity, and is very supportive of our staff. During a stressful time she initiated a "kindness project" for staff which has lifted spirits and created positive momentum in the staff. Sherri has helped coordinate the Girls On The Run teams, continuing her goal of positive self esteem. Sherri is the ultimate teacher and colleague and does so much to motivate all who she is near!”
Canterbury Elementary
Holly Etzkin, Intervention Specialist
“Mrs. Etzkin is kind, caring, and resourceful in her work with her students. She is always putting herself out there to help not only her class but the other classes she goes to. When I need someone to go to, she’s there for me. When I need help organizing a work area, she is always holding her hands out to help.”
Fairfax Elementary
Michael Heffern, Kindergarten Teacher
“Mr. Heffern has been a teacher at Fairfax for 30 years and is still the first teacher to arrive each day! As a Kindergarten teacher, his former students react to him like a rock star in the hallways. He is beloved by students, parents, principals, and colleagues. I met a young lady working at Starbucks and she noticed my Fairfax shirt. She literally got teary-eyed when she asked if Mr. Heffern was still teaching, as she was in his very first class.”
Gearity PD Elementary
Erin Goldberg, Early Childhood Intervention Specialist
“Erin is often the first person parents meet when they start their journey with the district. She works hard to set a positive tone to every meeting, letting the parents know that the team is there to support them as well as meet their child's needs. She also works closely with community preschools as well as our full-day teachers to support our "tiger cubs’" needs. Her positivity is infectious and her hard work is greatly appreciated by all who work with her.”
Noble Elementary
Draupadi Pradhan, Educational Aide and Lunchroom Aide
“Mrs. Pradhan is irreplaceable to the Noble family and community. She is a Noble parent, serves as an assistant in the Peer to Peer after school enrichment program, a lunch aide, and an interpreter through US Together for our Nepalese Families. Mrs. Pradhan also teaches free Nepalese-English classes at the Noble Road Library. She always has a smile on her face and goes out of her way to assist all students and families at Noble. She is a true Noble and CH-UH Tiger!”
Oxford Elementary
Jazmine Monroe, First Grade Teacher
“Jazmine has high expectations for her students and has a passion for teaching that inspires others. She makes learning come alive in her room, whether that be with pancake breakfasts that correlate to math curricular concepts or classroom good morning chants to get her students mentally ready for the day's work ahead. She spends her time after school coaching Girls on the Run and building the sets for Oxford’s musicals with a student stage crew.”
Roxboro Elementary
Michele Alexander, Media Ancillary
“Michele does so much for Roxboro! She maintains a clean, fun environment, reads to classes and supports comprehension efforts in the classrooms with activities at the tables. Michele also decorates the library with a special touch. The students always comment on the flowers and decor, and the whole school community appreciates the atmosphere she creates. Michele exudes a culture of excellence in everything she does!”
Board of Education/Bus Depot/Millikin
Karen Heinsbergen, Instructional Specialist (ELA)
“Karen works diligently with ELA leads and classroom teachers to support students’ literacy needs. She has helped to develop cross-curricular connections across disciplines such as ELA, Science, and Social Studies. She is always willing and open to talk ELA and to help wherever and whenever is needed.”