Apr. 28, 2025 -- The theme across the CH-UH School District this year is Heights United. In that spirit, each month CH-UH is recognizing employees who go above and beyond to inspire unity and create a culture of excellence in our district.
For April, CH-UH is honoring 11 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 staff committee.
The honorees will be recognized by the Board of Education at the May 5 regular meeting.
BOE/Bus Depot/Delisle Options Center/IT/Millikin: Chris Cook - IAES M.S. Intervention Teacher
Chris is incredibly flexible, adjusting to daily changes with professionalism and ease. He is a strong advocate for students and closely monitors their progress academically as well as emotionally and behaviorally. As a colleague, Chris is consistent, reliable, and contributes to the overall positive culture of the Delisle Center.
Boulevard: Laura Preston - Fourth Grade Teacher
Laura works very hard to individualize learning for each one of her students, creating a culture of acceptance and a learning environment that meets all of her students' individual needs. She is also there for students who are outside of her classroom, helping the building meet their needs through de-escalation or inviting them into her classroom for the day. Laura is helpful to other teachers and is creative in trying to meet kids' needs. She is a wonderful teacher, making the classroom fun and inviting, and she is a kind colleague who is helpful, insightful and dependable.
Canterbury: Marian Napier - Kindergarten Paraprofessional
Marian works hard every day and always advocates for the students. She is in charge of Cooking Club and also does the FAST program. She makes sure that families are involved in their children's school.
Fairfax: Dr. Andrea Walker - Principal
Our amazing leader has been exactly what Fairfax needed. The climate of the building has improved and more is getting done under her watch. We struggled to find our identity as a school, but after Dr. Walker, we have become the school family we were destined to be. Thank you, Dr. Walker, for improving our school and morale of the staff at Fairfax.
Gearity: Darrell Lausche - Title I Lead Teacher
Mr. Lausche is a strong advocate for our students and families. He is an active member of the BLT, where he has consistently worked to implement the District equity work. Mr. Lausche helps lead the MTSS meetings that coordinate support for students who need intensive interventions. He provides targeted small group interventions for reading and assists his colleagues with documenting intervention work. Mr. Lausche also coordinates fun staff potlucks to assist with building morale.
Heights High: Ann Kocks - Special Education Paraprofessional
Ann has incredible dedication to our community and students. Her kids grew up through our district, and she has been helping our kids ever since hers graduated. She works tirelessly, moving from place to place with students wherever she is needed. Ann has an endless amount of patience, always keeps a good heart, and is very kind.
Monticello: Rekyta Paster - School Counselor
It’s hard to imagine Monticello without Ms. Paster's calm presence, steady leadership, and deep commitment to doing what’s best for kids. Whether she’s supporting a student through a tough moment, helping a family navigate challenges, or jumping in to help a colleague, she does it all with excellence, grace, and a genuine sense of care. This spring, Ms. Paster has been a key force in organizing and coordinating OST testing—no small feat—and she has done it with clarity, confidence, and strong communication. She makes sure everything runs smoothly behind the scenes so students and staff can focus on doing their best.
Noble: Alexis Dixon - Kindergarten Paraprofessional
Ms. Alexis is a cherished figure in our classroom, known for her calm and collected presence. Her ability to maintain a peaceful environment helps students feel at ease, allowing them to focus on their studies and engage more openly. This serene atmosphere fosters a sense of security and trust among her students, making the classroom a welcoming place for all. She works closely with young scholars, helping them learn letters, numbers, and how to be great friends. Whether she’s reading stories, leading small groups, or giving the best high-fives ever, Ms. Alexis always makes learning exciting and joyful.
Oxford: Molly Farkas - Third Grade Teacher
Since joining the Oxford team last year, Ms. Farkas has quickly established herself as a student-centered leader. She goes above and beyond to support her students, building strong relationships and partnering with families in meaningful ways. A valued member of multiple leadership teams, Ms. Farkas consistently shares ideas, supports her colleagues, and contributes to the positive culture in our building. We’re grateful to have her as part of the Tiger team!
Roxboro Elementary: Azhar Husain - Special Education Paraprofessional
In his first full year as a one-on-one paraprofessional in a self-contained 3-5 classroom, Azhar has made meaningful connections and set high expectations for not only his student, but the group of students in his classroom. Always modeling patience and respectfulness, Azhar is willing to assist with the school community.
Roxboro Middle: Rebekah Sharpe - Principal
Rebekah is a natural leader; a professional, fair, and kind administrator who is an enormous asset to our district. She advocates for her staff and students every single day with poise, purpose and a level head. She is constantly juggling multiple tasks and handles difficult situations with a clear mind and the Rox Mid community's best interests at heart. Rebekah is someone for students and staff alike to have as a role model. We are so lucky to have her!