Mar. 15, 2024 -- The Cleveland Heights-University Heights City School District is committed to recognizing staff members who go above and beyond to “Create a Culture of Excellence” in our schools.
The District is once again honoring a Teacher of the Year, Helping Hand of the Year, and Rookie of the Year at each school. These honorees were chosen by their school colleagues for demonstrating excellence in their efforts to educate and support our community’s students.
2023-2024 Teachers of the Year:
Boulevard Elementary - Betsy Race, Guidance Counselor
Canterbury Elementary - Carla Huter, Third Grade Teacher
Fairfax Elementary - Molly Fischetti, STEM Teacher
Gearity Elementary - Darrell Lausche, Title I Lead Teacher
Noble Elementary - Arica Cohen, Third Grade Teacher
Oxford Elementary - Amy Robinson, Second Grade Teacher
Roxboro Elementary - Melissa Garcar, IB Coordinator
Monticello Middle - Anisha Corbin (Mahone), Eighth Grade ELA Teacher
Roxboro Middle - Lia Radke, AVID Teacher/RESA Coordinator
Heights High School - Katie Strine, English Teacher
Delisle Options Center - Christopher Cook, IAES M.S. Intervention Teacher
Board of Education (tie, winner 1) - Jennifer Bennett, Instructional Specialist
Board of Education (tie, winner 2) - TeKara Ray, Instructional Specialist
2023-2024 Helping Hands of the Year:
Boulevard Elementary - Chandre Ford, General Office (Attendance)
Canterbury Elementary - Melissa Wymer, Administrative Assistant
Fairfax Elementary - Keiarra Nelson, Kindergarten Paraprofessional
Gearity Elementary - Nessatara Lusane, Special Education Paraprofessional
Noble Elementary - Monita Chancellor, Kindergarten Paraprofessional
Oxford Elementary - David Gilson, General Office (Attendance)
Roxboro Elementary - Chuck Smith, Head Custodian
Monticello Middle - Eric Adeyemon, Paraprofessional
Roxboro Middle - Joanna Eberwine, Special Education Paraprofessional
Heights High School - Brandon Biggom, Special Education Paraprofessional
Delisle Options Center - Sonya Sims, Administrative Assistant
Board of Education - Ricky Newman, Lead Tradesperson
2023-2024 Rookies of the Year:
Boulevard Elementary - Kimberly Joseph, Special Education Paraprofessional
Canterbury Elementary - Kathleen Butler, Intervention Specialist
Fairfax Elementary - LaTonya Turner, Administrative Assistant
Gearity Elementary - Deirdre Ice, School Nurse
Noble Elementary - Vanessa Hagan, First Grade Teacher
Oxford Elementary - Molly Farkas, Third Grade Teacher
Roxboro Elementary - Melissa Argie, Second Grade Teacher
Monticello Middle - Julian Hischak, Spanish Teacher
Roxboro Middle - Dylan David, Dean of Students
Heights High School - Grace Lowe, Math Teacher
Delisle Options Center - Janesha Woods, Paraprofessional (TVA)
Board of Education - Nichole (Nicci) Caliph, Communications Confidential Administrative Assistant
The honorees were selected by colleagues at their respective buildings. CH-UH staff will vote to determine the four finalists for District Teacher of the Year, the four finalists for District Helping Hand of the Year, and the four finalists for District Rookie of the Year. These finalists will then move on to a panel interview.
The overall District Teacher of the Year, Helping Hand of the Year, Rookie of the Year, and Administrator of the Year will be announced at the Staff Awards Ceremony on May 24. CH-UH will also honor retirees, tenured teachers, and staff who presented at state or national conferences this past school year.
Congratulations to the awardees!