2016 Recipients

"How far that little candle throws its beams! So shines a good deed in a weary world." -William Shakespeare

Meritorious Service nominees were recognized by School Board members during special celebrations held in March 2016 in each CVSD school or building. On March 28, 2016, the board announced and presented district-wide Meritorious Service Award honorees in each category. The recipients were selected by board members from those nominated by colleagues, students, and parents below.

Congratulations to CVSD's 2016 District-Wide Meritorious Service Award Honorees:

(Pictured L-R): Deputy Superintendant Jay Rowell, Planning Principal Jerrol Olson, Evergreen MS Assistant Secretary Marci Highley, Greenacres MS Counselor Janet McDonald, Opportunity Teacher Brandon Dunn, Evergreen Head Secretary Janet Hall, Valley Assembly Pastor Kent Mankins. Not pictured: Gonzaga Law School Jeff Geldien.

Brandon Dunn, Certificated Teacher, Opportunity Elementary:

Brandon goes above and beyond in making connections with parents, students, staff and the community. He recently worked with a team from Active4Youth to implement the district-wide cross country program. Brandon provided suggestions how to make the program work, trained teachers, worked on grant monies, and helped run a very successful program—giving 1,200 CVSD students an opportunity they may never have had. Brandon works extremely hard to provide the best for all students in this district. The program turnout was incredible and helped promote physical activity after school. By nature, he is extremely positive and hardworking. CVSD is lucky to have him on the team.

Janet McDonald, Certificated Counselor, Greenacres Middle School:

Janet's heart for students is unparalleled, and students love her. She shows a genuine interest in their welfare and goes to great lengths to assure they’re given every support and opportunity—both academically as well as socially and emotionally. She’s an amazing counselor with impeccable skills, who sacrifices of herself for students every day. An excellent listener, she has genuine compassion for people. Every interaction exudes her caring for others.

She makes school fun by celebrating important things in kids’ everyday lives. She not only assists students with exercises to better focus and concentrate in the classroom, she shows parents how to conduct these at home. Countless students have found success in school and in life because of her interventions on their behalf. Janet’s energy is tireless. Last year she ran an afterschool program teaching Bal-Vis-X exercises to help students build rhythm, body awareness, brain activity, and social skills. She spends long hours at school—the last and first one here. Anywhere support is needed, she is there.

Janet Hall & Marci Highley, Classified Head & Assistant Secretary – Evergreen MS:

In preparation for Evergreen’s move to Evergreen West, Janet and Marci went above and beyond to make the move as smooth as possible. On the last day in Evergreen East, students went home with 2nd Qtr Report Cards, a Ground Breaking Ceremony was held, and the school packed-up to move over the weekend. Completing grades is usually the extraordinary task at the end of the quarter – let alone moving a school and hosting a ceremony – they were instrumental in making this happen.

Activities normally done to start off the school year had to be performed once again. New schedules for 3rd Qtr at Evergreen East, then three days later, new schedules for Evergreen West. Every student's bus route and stops were entered. Maps were made. Plans were laid out. Janet and Marci worked tireless hours outside of the regular school day. The move was successful due in large part to the support they provided the administrative team, teachers, students, and parents. What makes this team exceptional is their ability to be given some direction and just make it happen. Their ability to predict needs and their background knowledge is invaluable. Most people simply do not know how lucky Evergreen is to have such a dedicated and loyal team.

Gonzaga University Staff & Faculty, Community – Opportunity Elementary:

Many Opportunity students live in a lower socioeconomic status—lacking resources to properly maintain personal hygiene and brush their teeth regularly. The school recognized the need to educate about healthy lifestyles and contacted Jeff Geldien from Gonzaga Law School to ask if traveling employees could gather travel-sized shampoos, conditioners, deodorants, toothbrushes, etc. Weekly without fail, Jeff finds bags of supplies, anonymously left on his desk. Not only travel-sized, but also personally purchased supplies and funds donated to fulfill areas of need. Students love having fancy shampoos and conditioners. Most students keep their tooth brush at school due to home conditions. Fifth graders come to school early to brush their teeth and also after lunch. Gonzaga staff’s generosity has gone above and beyond for the past two years to meet students’ basic needs –enabling them to come to school ready to learn – reflecting in their self-confidence and attendance.

Valley Assembly, Community – Progress Elementary School:

Annually for at least a decade, Valley Assembly donates approximately 100 backpacks loaded with school supplies by the appropriate grade level for Progress students. These backpacks go to new students and any students who cannot afford supplies. This breaks down a barrier for these students enabling them to learn. Valley Assembly has opened their doors for Progress Elementary to perform their annual Christmas performance at their church on the large stage with an outstanding lighting and sound system. This large, well-attended performance allows everyone to have a seat. Valley Assembly also goes out into the community to assist students with significant need.

LTC Moving Team (Summit to Barker) - Learning &Teaching Center:

Though perhaps not an ideal situation for a school community to move buildings in the middle of a teaching year, the excellence in which the LTC Move Team planned, prepared for, communicated about and participated in the moves (x5!) was extremely impressive, highly respectful, and executed with precision. Many hours of communication and brainstorming must have occurred to orchestrate such an endeavor. Just as importantly, their commitment greatly enhanced the morale of school staff and parents during this adventure. The teacher that nominated them felt very much respected by having so many administration and support personnel show up to help with all the hard work – giving up their weekends right along staff with positive attitudes and smiles while they worked – team players for the greater good. They showed a commitment to "high quality learning" by assisting teachers and school staff so that the important job of teaching and serving students could continue as close to normal as possible—putting students first.

Congratulations to CVSD's 2016 Meritorious Service Nominees:

Elementary Schools

Adams Elementary School

LeAnna Watkins, Teacher - Certificated
Marcia Haney, Library Assistant - Classified
Nancy Chevigny-Dahlke, Volunteer - Community

Broadway Elementary School

Analisa Holcomb-McCann, Teacher - Certificated
Penny Neste, Teacher - Certificated
Judy Polley, Counselor - Certificated
Lloyd Stallings, Dean of Students - Certificated
Sue Ewan, Supervisor Assistant/Assistant Cook - Classified
Jonathan Mickelson, Supervisor Assistant/Custodian - Classified
Sandra Wing, ParaEducator - Classified
Madelynne Bafus, Spokane Valley United Methodist Church Volunteer - Community
Anne Oswald, Volunteer – Community
Broadway Parent Teacher Organization: Bobbi Robinson, Katelyn Davis, Samantha Foreman, Tabatha Copeland, Shani Newkirk, Ashley Campbell - Team
Broadway Playground Supervisory Team: Sue Ewan, Chie Damico, Kathy Meza, Jon Mickelson, Lindsay Oxford, Bobbi Robinson, Valerie Lester, Cori Frederick, Tina Gering, Sandy Wing, Michelle Womack - Team
Broadway Secretaries: Jessie Finchum, Carolyn Smart, Linda Tabish - Team
First Grade Teacher Team: Dixie Banta, Kathy Hudson, Analisa McCann, Amanda Miller, LesLee Sanders - Team

Chester Elementary School

Denise Kennedy & Bonnie Davis, Teachers - Certificated
Carrie Kuhl, Teacher - Certificated
Denise James, Secretary - Classified
Christy Kenney, ParaEducator - Classified

Greenacres Elementary School

Kelly Canup, Teacher - Certificated
Justin Collyer, Teacher - Certificated
Donald Shenk, Supervisor Assistant - Classified
Spokane Valley Partners Volunteers: Krystie Todorovich and Mike Spencer - Community
Special Education Resource Services Teachers: Wendy Bucknell, Junei Michelbook, Rachel Reiber, Anjie Lake -Team

Liberty Lake Elementary School

DM Freed, Counselor - Certificated
Jen Tesky, Assistant Principal - Certificated
2nd Grade Team: Kellie Ackerman, Lora Lynn, Brandon Olson, Kelly Radmaker, Aimee Schulhauser, Katrina Stewart, Jennifer Spear - Team

McDonald Elementary School

Aaron Dahlgren, Teacher - Certificated
Janine Frank, Teacher - Certificated
Traci Brown, ParaEducator - Classified
Deanne Mellen, Head Secretary - Classified
Annette Dooley, Volunteer - Community
Jenni Spedick, Volunteer and Parent Teacher Organization - Community
Comprehensive Instruction ParaEducators: Angela Oliver, Scott Anderson, Deborah Toews, Michelle Bonesteel

Opportunity Elementary School

Brandon Dunn, Teacher - Certificated
Dawn Hiebert, Teacher - Certificated
Lloyd Stallings, Dean of Students - Certificated
Mary Scott, Supervisory Assistant - Classified
Gonzaga University Staff and Faculty - Community
Rachel Wilson, Parent Teacher Organization President - Community
Opportunity Kitchen Staff: Lorrie Whitney, Chris Curry, Rich Colman, Tammy McMahon –Team
Opportunity Playground Supervisory Team: Elizabeth Belcher, Kathy Hansen, Diane Pindras, Sean Caulford, Mary Scott, Kellie Nordquist - Team

Ponderosa Elementary School

Shirley Brick, Teacher - Certificated
Community, Nate and Staci Manos, Volunteers - Community

Progress Elementary School

Alisha Alsaker, Instructional Coach - Certificated
Gwen Cadwallader, Teacher - Certificated
Jerry Andersen, Bus Driver - Classified
Diane Birkner, Special Education ParaEducator - Classified
Community, Valley Assembly Church - Community

South Pines Elementary School

James Olson, Teacher - Certificated
Marcia Haney, Library Assistant - Classified
Tracy Kinney, Para Educator - Classified
Angela Moeller, ParaEducator - Classified
Gwen Meldrum and Andrea Friberg - Team

Sunrise Elementary School

Deena Allen, Assistant Principal - Certificated
Earl Chapman, Bus Driver - Classified
Community, Judy Demand, Library Volunteer
Team, Counseling Team: Rose Francis, Veronica Risken-Oakes - Team
Special Services Transportation: Cathy Sturman, Missy Bakken - Team

University Elementary School

Nancy DeLaurentis, Librarian - Certificated
Andrea King, Occupational Therapist - Certificated
Carrie Porter, Teacher - Certificated
Lauren Waterbury, Teacher - Certificated
Marcia Haney, Library Assistant - Classified
Christine Larkin, Supervisory Assistant - Classified
Jesus Moreno, Custodian - Classified
Andrea Wilson, Assistant Secretary – Classified

Middle Schools

Bowdish Middle School

Kyle Schafer, Teacher - Certificated
Bowdish Kitchen: Vivianne Gouin, Shari Hicks, Sarah Cornell - Team
Lion King Directors: Heather Brown, Ponderosa, and Raelyn Toth, Bowdish - Team
Andrea Benson, Volunteer - Community

Evergreen Middle School

Allen Kohler, Teacher - Certificated
Scotty Smith, Robotics Volunteer - Community
Janet Hall, Head Secretary - Classified
Marci Highley, Assistant Secretary - Classified

Greenacres Middle School

Natalie Foster, Teacher - Certificated
Cheryl Holm, Librarian - Certificated
Laura Hull, Assistant Principal - Certificated
Brianne Kirsch, Teacher - Certificated
Janet McDonald, Counselor - Certificated
Patrick Moore, Teacher - Certificated
Lynn Hicks, Education Assistant - Classified
6th Grade Team: Nichole Clegern, LA/History and Royce Meyers, Math/Science - Team
Secretarial Staff: Kathi DeMaine, Kim Scott, Linda Wohlers - Team

Horizon Middle School

LeAnn Bianco, Teacher - Certificated
Cory Siddoway Teacher - Certificated
STRIVE: Tania Johnson, Tiffany Florez, Tony Collins, Amy Holland, Ammie Hatch, Mick Reese - Team

North Pines Middle School

Lisa Harding, Teacher and Athletic Director - Certificated
Shannon McGowan, Instructional Coach - Certificated
Beth Weinrich, Teacher - Certificated
Julienne Arlt, ParaEducator - Classified
Joe Lee, Custodian - Classified

High Schools

Central Valley High School

Heidi Averett, Special Services Counselor - Certificated
Charles Bowden, Teacher/Curriculum Coordinator - Certificated
Heather Galloway, Teacher - Certificated
Deanna Ristau, Teacher - Certificated
Jennifer Stalwick, Teacher/Coach - Certificated
Mona Bak, ParaEducator - Classified
James Breslin, Building Support Tech - Classified
Colleen Gulseth, ParaEducator - Classified
Suzy Orth, Head Secretary - Classified
Robert Smallwood, Custodian - Classified
Lorraine White, ParaEducator - Classified
Ron Hawkins and Mike Laws, Volunteers - Community
Erik Smith, Volunteer Photographer - Community
CVHS Accreditation Committee: Mike Amend, Corey Anderson, Robin Barnhart, Duane Barnhart, Tricia Campbell, Vince Eberly, Bernie Hite, Karissa Jacobson, Katie Louie, Eric Parker, Freddie Rehkow, Adrienne Schoenberg, Kathryn Teske, Randey Thompson, Kaye Wood - Team

University High School

Kerri Ames, Assistant Principal - Certificated
Hana Miller, Dean of Students - Certificated
Harvey O'Conner, Head Custodian - Classified
Team, 9th Grade CORE/AVID Team: Jenny Bryant, Counselor; Ernie Aguilar, Counselor; Alexis Carter, Teacher; Leah Grisafi, Teacher; Mary Hansen, Teacher; Rick Pettibone, Teacher; Wendy Mandere, Teacher; Josh Nichols, Teacher; John White, Teacher; Allison Bartlett, Teacher; Heather Chronister, Teacher; Michael Connelly, Teacher, Hana Miller, Dean
Team, University High School Staff and Administration

Non-Traditional Schools and Education Centers

CV Early Learning Center

Jennifer Long, Teacher - Certificated
Lorene Santoro, ECEAP Educational Assistant - Classified
Kari Sheldon, Child Care SA - Classified
AIM/ECEAP - Team

CV Kindergarten Center

Kasi Miller, Teacher - Certificated
Ellen Murphy, Assistant Secretary - Classified
Central Valley Kindergarten Center Parent Teacher Organization: Kate Vaughan, Kyla Mowrer, Amanda Ferguson, Karen Dick, Tara Greene, Terra Hill, Heather Carroll, Angi Comstock, Emily Bafus - Team
LAP Instructional Team: Deb Griffith, Lorelei Plagman - Team

Learning and Teaching Center - District Office

Lori Deckard, Secretary - Classified
Lisa Riordan, Human Resources – Classified
Jerry Andersen, Bus Driver - Classified
Earl Chapman, Bus Driver - Classified
Special Services Transportation: Cathy Sturman, Missy Bakken Team
Maintenance Tradesman Team: Mark Weis, Ray Siegel, Darrell Blank, Brian Catron, Tom Lucas, Zach O'Reilly, Charlie Baker, Mack Crane, David St. John, Joseph Bach, Bill Coder, Jim Westover, Eric Bartholomew, Tim Conces, Sam Rogers, Greg Romey, Jeff Kanzler, Taylor Parkhill; Summer crew: Linda Langsett, Jimmie Glasco, Patti Sager, Cathy Sturman, Kevin Sheffield, Mary Sherrodd - Team
Summit to Barker Moving Team: Jay Rowell, Jerrol Olson, Operations, Cabinet, Professional Development, Technology & more - Team
Technology Department Team: Rob Curnow, Scott Allen, Dale Alling, Laura Bellagio, Doug Bragg, Jim Breslin, Steve Coffman, Jeff Gibford, Chris Jorgensen, Micah Kennemore, Chris McKahan, Kendall Richardson, John Toothaker – Team

Mica Peak High School

John Griffiths, Teacher - Certificated
Morgan Jones, Learning Specialist - Certificated
Rustin Lee, Teacher - Certificated
Taunya Luckey, Teacher - Certificated
Christa Neumann, School Nurse - Certificated
Danielle Stroe, School Psychologist - Certificated
Will McCain, One Church Volunteer - Community
AJ Sanders & Paige McGowan, Volunteers - Community
Sheree West, Volunteer - Community

Spokane Valley Tech

Birgit Hodgson, Secretary - Classified
SVT/Mica Peak Language Arts/Social Studies: Karen Kielbon & Jana McKnight - Team

Summit School & Spokane Valley Learning Academy

Shelly Mackie, SVLA Coordinator & K-12 Teacher - Certificated
Walt Clemons, Principal - Certificated
Jamie Mikelson, Instructional Coach - Certificated
Sheri Potts, Teacher - Certificated
Community, Robin Cummings, Volunteer
2nd Grade Teaching Team: Jennifer McDonald & Zenita Bockstruck,
Summit/SVLA Crew - Team