Quyana to Mrs. Charlaine Polak at Abbott Loop Elementary! I would like to than Mrs.Polak for always allowing me to check out books from her library. She has also always been helpful to me when I am looking for a book. I'm very glad she is a librarian in the school district! - Ben Clayton, student
Quyana to Mrs. Kelly Bolling at Trailside Elementary! I would like to thank Mrs. Bolling for being such a great teacher, and helping us learn in a fun way. I'm very glad I am in her class, and hope that the school year will continue to be great! - Ben Clayton, student
Quyana to Richard Ladner at Gruening Middle School! I would like to recognize Richard Ladner, BPO at Gruening Middle School, for his outstanding efforts so far this winter. When the weather turns cold and snowy, Richard is out early on school grounds to ensure that students, staff, and parents alike have a safe, snow-free environment. We owe Richard a big Quyana for keeping us at Gruening safe and slip free! Thanks Mr. Ladner! - Ryan Clark, teacher
Quyana to Ben Walker, Kerry Howard, and John Bruce at Romig! I feel fortunate to work on the Aurora Team with Kerry, John, and Ben. Every day is filled with making curriculum fun and interesting for kids, and they work together to have the highest academic standards for our students. They are supportive, caring, and work tirelessly to promote a positive atmosphere at Romig. - Keri Barter, team partner
Quyana to David Van Soest at Providence Heights School, Alaska Psychiatric Institute! I would most definitely like to express my deepest appreciation and gratitude to Mr. David Van Soest commonly known to our wonderful students as Mr. "Dude" for being a generous person and an excellent example to the staff, people and especially the students here in Alaska Psychiatric Institute. David has a special gift that has everyone here happy and willing to get to work each day to experience it. And the gift he has been sharing and still is giving out to each student’s hearts and workers to store in their hearts is full of love, laughter and happiness. We need more people like David in this world. He is full of great spirits and excitement. I have learned a lot of new things ever since I had the opportunity to work with such marvelous person like David. His good work has shine and will always be spreading in the lives of the staff and mainly the students here in API. He has shown and encourages each and every one of us to go further no matter what happens in life. And I think this is what a great educator is all about! Thumps up to one of the best educators who makes a difference in the lives of each and every student in Providence Heights School. Way to Go Mr. David! - Kaylene Lauano, teacher assistant
Quyana to teachers and staff at Nunaka Valley Elementary! Wow! This goes out to the staff and teachers at Nunaka Valley Elementary for planning, organizing and sponsoring both a math and a science night within the past month. These activities provided an opportunity for children and families to discover the joys of math and science together, and all done with many, many hours of time and energy volunteered past "contract hours". What a wonderfully dedicated and committed staff. How lucky our kids are to have you in their lives. Thanks hardly begin to express it, so.....Quyana! - Rita and William McKenzie, parents
Quyana to John Gallup at Begich Middle School! Mr. John Gallup opens up the whole world or should I say the stars, moon and planets to all the students at Begich. Almost every morning he is out at Begich looking up at the sky. He is such an amazing teacher and has been with the Anchorage School District for a long time. He still has the enthusiasm to reach all of his students and enjoy doing so. He also attends the high school graduation of his former students and hangs the pictures of the different classes that he has taught. He makes a sign that says “The Best Class." Of course that gets changed on a daily basis. Two out of my three daughters were/currently are very blessed to have him as their science teacher. Thank you Mr. Gallup for all your years of wonderful dedication to the field of science. A lot of parents and students appreciate that dedication. - Penny Seliger, parent
Quyana to Kellie Fagan, cafeteria manager Central Middle School of Science ! I interact with Kellie at least three or four times a day depending on the needs of my students in ISS. I'm in the multipurpose room with the breakfast program at least 30 minutes each day while the late bus students finish eating and my ISS students begin cleaning up the tables.
I have worked around Kellie for about seven years here and she has always been the perfect role model of a very organized, kind and considerate working mom. Last year we constantly had very late buses and Kellie always accommodated their breakfast needs without a hitch.
I hope all schools in the district are as fortunate as our school is with the style and grace of food service Kellie delivers daily.
Thank you Kellie. - Robert E. Atkinson, ISS teacher
Quyana to Janet Campbell and Stephanie Ranger at Gladys Wood Elementary! These two create an awesome, family friendly, atmosphere at our school. They work in an open office setting. Hundreds of little feet pass by their office every day and they smile and greet each one. They juggle the phones, the new Zangle program, along with the many requests for borrowed gloves or lunch charges and even an occasional teacher request for a special lunch order. Thank you Janet and Stephanie for all your hours of hard work. You are appreciated and loved very much! - Wendy Zorea, parent and peer
Quyana to Tameka Shook at Fairview Elementary School! I am the DARE Officer for Fairview Elementary and have had the opportunity to teach in Mrs. Tameka Shook's 5th grade classes for several years now. Her class is consistently the most well-behaved, respectful and hard-working class I have contact with. Several months ago, I stepped out of my role as an officer and did an observation in her classroom, while working on my own master's degree. I wanted to see Mrs. Shook in action, instead of her always watching me. Having been a teacher at Fairview Elementary, myself, several years ago - I know what challenges she faces on a daily basis and wanted to see what her secret is to handling these challenges.
Her secret very quickly became clear to me - it's respect. Not only does she respect her students as individuals, but she fosters respect for each other. She teaches her students what respect looks and sounds like and why it's so important to their lives and education.
I consider myself lucky to have been allowed to watch her in action. I hope that when I get to teach DARE in her class I can continue to help students learn how to make good choices and respect others. Fairview is lucky to have her and her students will be forever changed for the positive - Amanda Fisher, police officer
Quyana to Dawn Campbell at Ravenwood Elementary! Dawn showed the patience of a jedi as she introduced our staff to Zangle. She answered our many questions throughout an in-service day and continues to lend support and patience in every way as our tech guru! I admire her patience and commitment to our growth as a tech savvy group. - Bridget Broderick, peer
Quyana to Kristin Lavelle-Carr at Inlet View Elementary! I want you to know how much I value and appreciate, Kristin Lavelle-Carr, our Inlet View bilingual teacher. Kristin is joyful and supportive with both staff and students. She is knowledgeable, competent, thorough, reliable, and a person our children feel they can learn with. She makes them feel safe, smart, and valuable. I love how our students know she is the one who makes learning make sense and they feel safe enough to wait for her to help them. She is their lifeboat.
The ease with which she flows in and out of my classroom is amazing. Kristin can switch to whatever the child needs at the time as well as continue with longer term plans. She figures out what the whole child needs to be successful and makes it happen. Last year she made sure her students had science fair projects, and fit making the project into her schedule.
She has also been our homework/teamwork club tutor after school.
I am so very thankful for her. - Ellyn Derman, peer and parent
Quyana to Philip Fleckenstein at Steller Secondary! Philip is an excellent teacher. I enjoy his class very much and hope to be in it for the rest of my life. I mean for the rest of my time at Steller. He knows everything about rockets, right out of his head. Philip puts visual examples and writing examples on the board, and he charges $1,000 for each question -- in our latest project, to make us think. We always have so much fun that we cannot stop talking about rocket science, and we are always doing hands-on activities. Philip is enthusiastic about teaching and encourages everyone else to love science. Thank you so much for being an outstanding teacher. - Jimmy Lanier, 7th grade student at Steller.
Quyana to Aquarian staff and families at Aquarian Charter! Quyana to Aquarian Charter's staff and families who are all filled with the spirit of giving this holiday season. Aquarian's school community donated more than 15,000 cans of food to the Food Bank and $1,000 in turkeys. I feel very lucky that my son and I are part of such an amazing school. - Sara Peebles, parent
Quyana to Penny Seliger at Muldoon Elementary! My son Hada had a very hard time grasping things. He barely knew how to read or even write his name. Mrs. Seliger has really been a positive motivating force in my son's life and he is absolutely grasping things he never knew. I see a big change in him and his desire to learn. Mrs. Seliger is an amazing teacher who deserves to be recognized for making a positive difference in my child's life. - Kaneyo Hirata, parent
Quyana to Alicia Woods at Muldoon Elementary! Hard work and dedication. Every time I call the school for my children or if I need letters or copies of transcripts or even a question about the various activities, Mrs. Woods always goes above and beyond excellent customer service. She exemplifies awesome professionalism and really runs the office smoothly. She deserves to be recognized for her diligence and helpful and friendly personality. She is truly an asset at Muldoon Elementary. - Kaneyo Hirata, parent
Quyana to Amy Frackman at Educational Technology! Amy has been a tremendous help in launching new technology at our school. She has extended herself so many times to do the extra things that we need for technology at our school. Amy recently coordinated a flawless teacher computer distribution, helped coordinate tech training, and is always available to help us when we need a hand. Her hard work and dedication to helping with our technology needs is enabling us to help our students learn. - Ted Angstadt, 4th grade teacher
Quyana to Mary Koehler at Whaley Center! We would like to commend Mary for her tireless work, above and beyond the responsibilities of her position. Mary's focus is that all staff and students are cared for. This means that in addition to her daily duties, Mary pitches in where ever and whenever needed. On holidays or just particularly trying weeks, Mary will host a staff breakfast or lunch; bring her own personal decorations to turn the staff lounge into a different world (i.e. an Italian bistro, a cozy fall scene, a winter wonderland.) Her thoughtfulness and tireless efforts build the morale of staff and students alike. Not only does Mary keep things running smoothly throughout Whaley, she makes sure that the staff and students are supported and nurtured when needed. - Kay Papakristo, Georgia Davis, Mickie Pascar, peers
Quyana to Jeanne Fischer at Begich Middle School! I want to thank you Jeanne Fischer for all the loyalty you show to us and all the good care you give to us. I don't know how to repay your kindness, but I will remember all you do for us forever. I am a custodian at Begich and I want you to know that you are an amazing principal to us. - Vue Yang, ASD custodian
Quyana to Jeanne Fischer at Begich Middle School! I would like to thank Jeanne Fischer for everything she gives to us and for helping students at Begich. - Hlao Yang, ASD custodian
