Names listed in blue indicate 2011 Spotlight Award Recipients.

Elementary Schools

Alpine – Megan Penfold, Third grade

Black Rock – Brian McGuirk, Fourth grade

BlueMountain – Temple Hayles, Second grade

Burlington– Beth Sherrill, First grade

Centennial – Lisa Halpren, Second grade

Central – Kelly Sanseverino, First grade

Columbine – Jamie Schroder, First and Second grade

Eagle Crest – Debby Precht, Kindergarten-Fifth grade Literacy

Erie– Denise Parker, Second grade

Fall River– Eve Weglarz, Second grade

Frederick – Jennifer Garcia, Kindergarten

Hygiene – Jenny Heidel, Third – Fifth grade, Reading

IndianPeaks– Trudy O’Cleary, Third grade

Legacy – Therese Possel, Third grade

Loma Linda – Jill Vaughn, Special Education

LongmontEstates – Alice Marshall, Third grade

Lyons – Aleta Magaldi, Kindergarten

Mead – Pam Heimstra, Preschool

Mountain View– Mary Tafel, grade

Niwot – Shelley Humble, Second grade

Northridge – Bel Castro, Kindergarten

Prairie Ridge – Amy Hamblin, Third grade

Rocky Mountain – Natalie Knapp,  Fourth Grade

Sanborn – Kaye DeFoor, First grade

Spangler – Judy Millikan, K – 5 Music

Middle/ Senior Schools

Lyons Middle – Senior – Brian McDivitt, Sixth through 12^th grade Technology

Charter Schools

CarbonValley–Adrienne Clay, Kindergarten

Flagstaff– Jennifer Battistoni,  Third grade

Imagine – Kristen Baker, Kindergarten

Twin Peaks – Michelle Paris-Kempkes, Second grade

Middle Schools

Altona – Jenay Hammond, Eighth grade Language Arts

Coal Ridge – Adam Wellington, Seventh grade Social Studies

Erie– Chris Duhon, Sixth grade Math

Heritage – Samantha Olsen, Sixth grade Math

Longs Peak– Joan Hollins, Seventh grade Social Studies

Mead – Michaela Campbell, Eighth grade Language Arts

Sunset – Colby Jones, Sixth grade Social Studies

Trail Ridge – Laurie Roybal, Eighth grade Language Arts

Westview – Ellie Decker, Seventh grade Math

Senior High Schools

Erie– Stephanie Esquibel, Ninth through 12^th grade Math

Frederick – Helen Mitchell, Tenth through 12^th grade Chemistry, and Physics

Longmont– James Moulton, Ninth through 12^th grade Physics and Animal Behavior

Mead – Amy Renaldi, Ninth through 11^th grade English

Niwot – Jason Watkins, Ninth through 12^th grade Theatre and Arts

Silver Creek – Kenneth Allen, Ninth through 12^th grade Math

Skyline – Casey Luker, Ninth through 12^th grade English

Alternative High Schools

CareerDevelopment Center-Kaitlyn Gaines, Ninth through 12^th Agriculture-Science

Olde Columbine – Rashmi Oberai, Ninth through 12^th grade Math and Chemistry

Adult Education – Judith Hull, High School 2 Science

Other Programs-Traci Haley, K-12 Professional Development

Foundation Hails St. Vrain Teachers

Dozens of teachers learned Friday night that their students, parents of their students and their colleagues recognize and appreciate their work.

Superintendent Don Haddad said no one enters the field of education to earn such recognition but that teachers’ work is invaluable. “Nobody can put a price tag or put into words what you do,” Haddad said during the Education Foundation for the St. Vrain Valley’s fourth annual “You’re the Top! Tribute to Teachers” dinner and awards at the Plaza Conference Center.

The Foundation’s Encore awards “recognize and honor individual teachers ... who exemplify excellence in teaching,” according to its website. Mitch Carson, president of the Foundation and President and CEO of Longmont United Hospital, told the audience of teachers, principals, administrators and guests, “All of you out there tonight are teachers who have made a difference in your students’ lives.”

The Foundation this year received 230  nominations for Encore awards, he said. One teacher from each school received an Encore award. One nomination, from a grade school student, read, “I love my teacher. She loves math and now I love math,” Carson read.

From all the Encore award winners, the Foundation chose five outstanding teachers for Spotlight Awards: Kenneth Allen, Silver Creek High; Kristen Baker, Imagine Charter School at Firestone; Brian McDivitt, Lyons Middle/Senior High; James Moulton, Longmont High; and Eve Weglarz, Fall River Elementary.

“The Education Foundation truly honors the best of the best,” Carson said.

In addition to honoring teachers, the Education Foundation presented Bravo awards to IBM and RidgeviewTel for partnering with the school district.

When the school district was awarded the federal Investing in Innovation grant worth $3.6 million, it had to find matching contributions equaling 20 percent to actually receive the money.

“When we went to our partners and asked for support, they gave it to us without condition,” Haddad said.  Representing IBM, Thomas Darcy said the company has about 4,000 local employees, many of whom have children attending St. Vrain Valley schools. His two boys attend Blue Mountain Elementary in southwest Longmont, he said. “We’ll keep doing what we’re doing as long as you keep doing what you’re doing,” Darcy said.

RidgeviewTel director of operations Melinda Jordan told the audience how St. Vrain students they employ are doing so well that older employees are threatened by their skills.  “Thanks for what you’re doing with these kids,” Jordan said. “It’s phenomenal.”

Victoria Camron can be reached at 303-684-5226 or vcamron@times-call.com.

Victoria Camron, Longmont Times-Call

05/07/2011

Names listed in blue indicate 2010 Spotlight Award Recipients

Elementary Schools

Alpine – Jen Tatham, Kindergarten through fifth grade physical education

Black Rock – Kathy Pennell, Kindergarten

Blue Mountain – JoLene Lewis, Third grade

Burlington – LaReina Romero, Fourth grade

Centennial – Barbara Colton, Second grade

Central – Shelley Saxton, Kindergarten through fifth grade art

Columbine – Susan Tatum, Third grade

Eagle Crest – Mick Huiet, Fourth grade

Erie – Ami Larson, First grade

Fall River – Missy Wills, Second grade

Frederick – Mary Cousineau, First and Second grade

Hygiene - Kathy Parmley, First grade

Indian Peaks – Pam Tennant, Kindergarten

Legacy – Marsha Diemert, Fourth grade

Loma Linda – Jana Hansen, Kindergarten

Longmont Estates – Nancy Harris, Second grade

Lyons – Amy Stahl, Fifth grade

Mead – Teresa Stamp, Fifth grade

Mountain View – Josh Law, Kindergarten through fifth grade physical education

Niwot – Dale Peterson, First grade

Northridge – Jeff Cannon, Third grade

Prairie Ridge – Erin Smith, Kindergarten through fifth grade special education

Rocky Mountain – Christina Wilson, Pre-Kindergarten

Sanborn – Holly Keenan, Fourth grade

Spangler – Nina Amabile, Title 1 Kindergarten through 5th literacy

Middle/ Senior Schools

Lyons Middle – Senior – Anna Marie Strzyz, Ninth through 12th grade English and yearbook

Charter Schools

Carbon Valley – Cathy Stein, Preschool and Pre-Kindergarten

Flagstaff – Jason Zook, Third grade

Imagine – Rachel Zelaya, First through eighth grade Latin

St. Vrain Comm. Montessori- Christy Curton, First through Third Grade

Twin Peaks – Cindy Schultz, Fourth Grade

Middle Schools

Altona – Victor Thibault, Seventh Grade language arts

Coal Ridge – Jeff Conway, Sixth through eighth grade physical education

Erie – Beau Townsend, Sixth through eighth grade art

Heritage – Kaarina Demers, Seventh grade language arts

Longs Peak – Ari Gold, Seventh grade language arts

Mead – Kara Davis, Seventh grade language arts

Sunset – Cece Balman, Sixth through eighth grade media

Trail Ridge – Milo Fortes, Sixth grade social studies

Westview – Ellie Decker, Seventh grade math

Senior High Schools

Erie – Kimberly Kepler, Ninth through 12th grade math

Frederick – Dorothy LePore, Eleventh and 12th grade AP language

Longmont – Scott Bergamo, Tenth through 12th grade counseling

Mead – Shannon Martenson, Ninth through 12th grade language arts

Niwot – Scott Sanchez, Ninth through 12th grade math

Silver Creek – Kevin Lyons, Ninth through 12th grade Spanish

Skyline - Jane Moody, Ninth through 12th grade, ELL

Alternative High Schools

Career Development Center and Olde Columbine - Kevin Bartish, Ninth through 12th grade math

Adult Education – Kristin Denton, Seventh through 12th grade language arts

To see more details about the 2010 Spotlight Award Recipients, please click here.

Names listed in blue indicate a 2009 Spotlight Award Recipient

Elementary Schools

Alpine - Kristen Brohm, Kindergarten
Black Rock - Julia Simms, Second through fifth grade reading and gifted & talented
Blue Mountain - Jennifer Rabenhorst, Kindergarten
Burlington - Brian Huey, Fourth grade
Centennial - Helen Douglass, Pre-K through fifth grade science
Central - Camilla Johnson, Kindergarten through fifth grade music
Columbine - Gail Becker, Fourth and fifth grade science and social studies
Eagle Crest - Tracy Smith, Kindergarten through fifth grade special education
Erie - Diane Sherman, First grade
Fall River - Amy Sperry, First grade
Frederick - Patty Goodgaine, Kindergarten through fifth grade physical education
Hygiene - Viki Samson, Kindergarten
Indian Peaks - Katie Koets, Fourth grade
Legacy - Jean Luyendyk, Kindergarten
Loma Linda - Kelly Bernhardt, First grade
Longmont Estates - Lori Hendrickson, Kindergarten
Lyons - Douglas Stahl, Fifth grade
Mead - Mary Ellen Bunta, Third grade
Mountain View - Kerin McClure, First grade
Niwot - Bob Reid, Fifth grade
Northridge - Jane Najacht Daw, Kindergarten through fifth grade art
Prairie Ridge - Jennifer Frank, First grade
Rocky Mountain - Araceli Kennedy, Kindergarten
Sanborn - Amber Tank, Second grade
Spangler - Julie Potter, First grade

Middle/ Senior Schools

Lyons Middle – Senior - Mark Roberts, Ninth through 12th grade math and English

Charter Schools

Carbon Valley - David Floodeen, Sixth through ninth science
Flagstaff - Jennifer Battistoni, Second grade
Imagine - Kia Chapman, Second grade
Twin Peaks - Aaron Moe, Seventh and eighth grade English

Middle Schools

Altona - Jayme Margolin, Eighth grade science
Coal Ridge - Kate Ault, Eighth grade language arts
Erie - Bernice de Witte, Sixth through eighth grade literacy and special education
Heritage - Janet Benter, Eighth grade science
Longs Peak - Sue Riffe, Sixth through eighth grade music
Mead - Keith Kennison, Sixth grade math and science
Sunset - Sally Goerner, Sixth grade language arts
Trail Ridge - Elizabeth Sims, Eighth grade science
Westview - Greg Tafel, Eighth grade social studies

Senior High Schools

Erie - Daniel Brooks, Ninth through 12th grade special education
Frederick - Julie Constantine, Ninth through 12th grade science
Longmont - Richard Martyr, PhD, Ninth through 12th science
Niwot - Keith Ellison, Ninth through 12th grade music and orchestra
Silver Creek - Matthew Smedley, Ninth through 12th grade math
Skyline - M. Travis O'Hair, Ninth through 12th grade science

Alternative High Schools

Career Development Center and Olde Columbine - Niki Brady, Tenth through 12th grade business
Adult Education - Ardith Loustalet, English as a second language

To see more details about the 2009 Spotlight Award Recipients, click here.

Names listed in blue indicate 2008 Spotlight Award Recipients

Elementary Schools

Alpine – Pauline Soderholm, music

Burlington – Nancy Ferraro, fourth grade science and math

Central – Gwen Schell, third grade

Columbine – Ruth Hanna, third grade

Eagle Crest – Elizabeth Lange, third grade

Erie – Ann Apple, physical education

Fall River – Kristin Parsons, fifth grade

Frederick – Elizabeth French, first grade

Hygiene – Betsy Sandoval, fourth grade

Indian Peaks – Lila Kennelly, first grade

Legacy – Christine Cope, first grade

Loma Linda – Catherine Sochia, second grade

Longmont Estates – Ronda Soliz, first grade

Lyons – Nancy Roe, third/fourth grade

Mead – Linda Klausmery-Thiel, second grade

Mountain View – Ann Humble, third grade

Niwot – Mickki Soole, kindergarten

Northridge – Linda Brown, second grade

Prairie Ridge – Susanne Brown, kindergarten

Rocky Mountain – Marci Knaus, second grade

Sanborn – Kay DeFoor, first grade

Spangler – Jason Gage, art

Middle/ Senior Schools

Lyons Middle – Senior – Brad Martin, sixth – eighth grade

language arts, social studies, and physical education

Charter Schools

Carbon Valley – Sheila Romero-Bisgard, second grade

Flagstaff – Tommy Reddicks, music

Twin Peaks – Kristen Baker, kindergarten

Middle Schools

Altona – Amanda Menihan, fifth grade*

Coal Ridge – Carol Duarte, seventh grade science

Erie – Jan Phelps, eighth grade math

Heritage – Mary Jo Pelanek, sixth grade science and math

Longs Peak – Matt Barz, eighth grade history

Mead – Beth Farling, resource teacher

Sunset – Linda Bartlett, eighth grade language arts

Trail Ridge – Melissa Burch, seventh grade language arts

Westview – Andrew Roberts, sixth grade math

Senior High Schools

Erie – Kim Kepler, ninth – twelfth grade mathematics

Frederick – Peggy morrow, ninth – twelfth grade business

Longmont – Jackie Bilan, tenth – twelfth grade advanced placement biology

Niwot – David Title, ninth – twelfth grade biology

Silver Creek – Steve McNichols, tenth – twelfth grade advanced placement

U.S. history, government, and comparative politics

Skyline – Stephen Ross, ninth – twelfth grade vocal music

Alternative High Schools

Career Development Center and Olde Columbine – Jim Asmus, ninth through 12th grade Microsoft Office and multimedia

Adult Education – Charlotte Garlock, high school completion

*Fifth grade students from Eagle Crest Elementary are attending Altona because of Space limitations.

To see more details about the 2008 Spotlight Award Reciepiets, click here.