by Shelley Bennett
It’s the week before Teacher Appreciation Week and this teacher would like to show my thanks and appreciation to the Lassen County Office of Education.
Superintendent Patty Gunderson and her staff have planned and executed several incredible events for local teachers, students, parents, and caretakers over the last year.
From starting if off strong in the Fall with an inspirational and hilarious keynote speaker at our annual Professional Development Day to the You Matter conferences held at local schools to last week’s Career Day at LHS, this groups goes above and beyond for all the stakeholders in education.
There are two ways to a teacher’s heart: free food and free school supplies. LCOE knows this and they provide an abundance of both at their events. This year I have collected pens and pencils galore, fun sticky notes, autographed books for my classroom library, and this little gizmo that creates an electrical circuit out of your body.
Don’t ask me what the purpose of that is or how it works. I just use it as a metaphor for what you can accomplish when you work together.
Then, last Friday, they host this amazing Educator Gala to celebrate and honor Excellence in Education. It was a wonderful evening, which left everyone in attendance feeling appreciated and grateful to be an educator in Lassen County.
According to Gunderson, she wanted to do something “special” to “recognize and celebrate all of the people who work so very hard every day with our students”. Her vision for LCOE is to “support, celebrate, and help each and every employee be the best they can be.”
And that they did. Patty and her team (James Hall, Kaitlyn Midgley, Bobbie Kirkpatrick, Megan Gray, Anna Townsend, Amber Akiwo, Brie Buckler, Hannah Hutson, Courtney Hanna, and Jodi Neuenschwander knocked it out of the park.
We were treated to a delicious dinner catered by Courthouse Café and also enjoyed drinks, appetizers, and dessert. DJ Doug Cain kept the evening rolling and announced the nominees and recipients in the various categories while photographer Greg Wallace documented every moment.
Retirees: Ray Bailey, Zeane Barber, Rhonda Foreman, Shanda Hooven, Loretta Larimer, Dawn Lightsey, Maria Mankins, Dianne Parady, and Shannon Polan
Community Partners: Susanville Stuff, Lassen Family Services, and Wheels West
Workability and Transitional Partnership Program: T&A Café, Margie’s Book Nook, and Blue Ox Bistro & Chocolate
Volunteers: Sandy Ellena, Kim Michel, and Ken Oster
Classified Staff (this is the glue that holds the school together, everyone from bus drivers to para-pros, cafeteria workers to maintenance, and everything in between!): Saray Bowers, Grace Burt, Callista Carlton, Jasmine Conner, Donna Del Rio, Devin Enriquez, Sara Farris, Julie Galindo, Laureen Kinnaman, Ferne Lee, Lorena Melendrez, Lacey Moncada, Jennifer Painter, Chester Patterson, Kami Prater, Melissa Rickert, Jesse Snyder, Brandalin Taylor, Zane Teeter, Holly VanDeventer, and Marissa Zamora
Diamond View Physical Education Program: Daniel Hartrum and Johnelle Wright
Susanville School District English Learner Program: Violeta Hurd, Salome Shaw, Martha Uribe, and Yelena Vakuichik
Teachers: Lori Alexander, Liz Ammon, Adrianne Bliss-Williams, Rhonda Bonilla-Chicas, Jessica Carrillo, Julia Dias, Melanie Faiferlick, Jacob George, Eileen Heisig, Jenn Kirby, Jennifer Lepage, Sarah Loflin, Natalie Loiler, Megan Maytum, Cheryl McCormack, Tammy Mitchell, Rochelle Nakanishi, Breanne Pratt, Cory Rickert, Chris Sakellariou, Lisa Urquizu, Rachel Vincent, and Ben Wade
In addition, Gwen Corey and Krissy House were recognized as Chief Business Officials and Stephanie Preston as Administrator.
Stacy Russell was given the Countywide Impact Award and with very good reason. As the Credential Analyst, Stacy is full of important information every new teacher needs when starting out. She has been my saving grace many times over the last 29 years and I value her expertise.
There were also 42 people who were nominated for making a positive impact in their school and students’ lives. I was proud to be named among them.
I had a great time, laughing and visiting with my colleagues, reconnecting with other educators I have worked with in so many different ways, and even seeing some of my former students finding their place to shine.
Thank you again to Patty and her team! It was a great way to begin this busy wind down of the school year. I can’t wait to see what you have planned for Sober Grad!
And thanks also to Schools First Federal Credit Union for sponsoring the event. We are truly grateful.
Remember when news was ‘newsy’? When you read about weddings, family events and engagement announcements in the newspaper? If you have something that might be newsworthy, please submit it to [email protected] and I’ll do my best to include it here in “The Good Stuff.”
