Quyana to Penni Traxler at Tyson Elementary! My son can be a difficult child. He has had a lot of upheavals in his life the past two years that contribute to his problems. Mrs. Traxler has gone out of her way to keep me in the loop by sending me daily e-mails regarding my son's day. This has helped immensely with his issues. By showing my son that she and I are a unified team it has improved his education and his behavior. Way to go Penni! We are lucky to have had a teacher like you. QUYANA! -Brandy, parent
Quyana to Ken Kampen at Campbell Elementary! Dear Mr Kampen, my granddaughter Marsha Nicholai, your 4th grade student recently visited the family here is Los Angeles, California during your spring break.
Our love and sincere gratitude is sent to you for the remarkable and dedicated work you are doing with all of your students, especially Marsha. We spent many days reading, doing math, talking, discussing events, discussing her feelings and her awareness of the world as well as her own self awareness as a growing, young remarkable lady. Her skills, due to your fine teaching and care, are most impressive and we are thrilled with the progress you are leading her towards. She appears to love learning, and much of that goes with the challenge of learning as well. Our family thanks you deeply for your fine ability to tap into this wonderful mind and person of Marsha. Our prayers are that she shall continue to grow and flourish under your fine work and dedication. May you, and all your students be blessed. -Sheldon and Thelma - Grandparents - L.A., CA
Quyana to Kelly Dennis the Elementary Honor Choir Director! Kelly Dennis has been the ASD Elementary Honor Choir conductor the past two years in which my daughter has had the privilege to be a member. With over hundred 5th and 6th graders participating, practices only once a week, and two months from the first practice until the final concert, Mrs. Dennis works her magic at transforming these talented young ladies and gentlemen into a top-notch choir. Mrs. Dennis' high expectations, her exceptional talent, and her obvious passion for music and children are clearly apparent throughout the process and in the final performance.
Bravo, Mrs. Dennis!
Of course, Mrs. Dennis has wonderful support, and I apologize for not knowing everyone that contributed, but I appreciate everyone's time and commitment. Jo Ann Day was the accompanist, Mr. Robby Dennis, and Joan Haskell are just a few of those that I would like to thank. -Paula Saindon, parent
Quyana to Don Cosgrove at Hanshew Middle School for being an amazing middle school band teacher. His enthusiasm for band and working with his students is contagious. He meets with honor jazz band before school and makes opportunities for them to perform. My daughter's favorite subject is band. Before Mr. Cosgrove, she wasn't sure she wanted to continue playing an instrument. Don, thanks for all you do to inspire these kids. -Gretchen Hopkins, parent
Quyana to the Teal Team at Hanshew Middle School. Everette Burk, Jeanne Bradner, Kaci Fisher, Marcia Indahl, Sue Tifental and Wendy Sept are dedicated, exciting teachers. My 7th grade daughter Mira is enthusiastic about what she is learning due to the interesting projects and activities the teachers teach through. These teachers are motivating her to do challenging work. Thank you! -Gretchen Hopkins, parent
Quyana to Colleen Hildebrandt, Tracy Houser, Kyung Peterson and Gail Taylor at Mirror Lake Middle School! Quyana to my very own "Fantastic Four" team...the "Reflective Lawn Gnomes" comprised of the quintessential quartet of Colleen Hildebrandt, Tracy Houser, Kyung Peterson and Gail Taylor. These women are fabulous and I can't thank them enough for being such outstanding teachers and for helping 8th grade to be my daughter's most favorite grade since she has been at Mirror Lake.
This team works incredibly well together and I love how the social studies projects tie into language arts and how the collaborative effort of these exceptional women gels so completely together, that they are the epitome of what true team teaching should be.
I also commend them for preparing my daughter and her peers for high school. They have done an exceptional job of ensuring their students are ready to take on more tasks and face more challenging assignments, and for that, I am grateful. I am also grateful that they have helped nurtured my daughter's desire to learn more and that they have not only provided her with an great education...they helped make learning fun, too.
My daughter enjoys all of her core classes very much and I can't think of a better way for her to end her time at Mirror Lake, than to have the honor and privilege of being taught by these amazing women. Kudos to Colleen, Gail, Kyung and Tracy. You have helped make 8th grade a wonderful year for my daughter. Consequently, it ended up being a wonderful year for me, too. You are THE BEST and I appreciate you more than words can say. - Barbara Ringland, parent
Quyana to Adrianne Grenier and Danielle Lesko at Williwaw Elementary! Adrianne and Danielle are amazing! Not only are they incredible 4th grade teachers, but they have either been in charge of or involved with just about every extra activity at our school this year. Between the two of them they have been responsible for Student Council, Battle of the Books, Clean-up Day, and they were the picket captains for our building. They have also been very actively involved in cross-country running, basketball, track, schoolwide recycling, the talent show, and the after school program! They clearly love the kids at our school, and their generosity knows no bounds. Keep up the good work ladies, you make our school a very fun place for our students! -Laura Storrs, peer
Quyana to Crysta Svendsen at Nunaka Valley Elementary! Crysta Svendsen is a leader by example. She has devoted her time and energy to the students at Nunaka. She is the facilitator of many programs and events. She has an annual ski program, REI snow shoeing specialist come to encourage the children in life time leisure activities. Crysta is involved in many ways; she also helps students enroll in Healthy Futures to name a few. -Respectfully, Joe
"J.T." Tomson
Quyana to Karen Cook and Paige Blair at Campbell Elementary! Karen Cook and Paige Blair are the smiling faces you first see when you enter the Campbell School office. Paige is at the front desk with her warm smile and her uncanny ability to name nearly each of the 400 plus students on sight. She can tell you whose class they are in and recognizes most family members. She really makes people feel welcomed. She is well organized has a wealth of skills and always keeps the neatest work area. She is a vital part of the office staff.
Karen Cook is a top-notch office manager. She dives into each task with intense focus. Whether it is a complicated purchase request, a detailed leave report or a student need, she is right on it. She also takes the time to make some very meaningful connections with the students. She has been witnessed giving good manners lessons, and turned an almost always tardy student into a prompt young man by helping him set some great goals. He now proudly reports to her each time he achieves a new goal. Campbell School is fortunate to have these ladies running the front office. -Sheila Hall, supervisor
Quyana to Joyce Morton at East High! Mrs. Morton is my son's study skills teacher at East High. He had her his junior year and again his senior year. She has been such a big encouragement to my son. To hear him talk, she was extremely hard on him the first time around. He was having a hard time with school and just did not want to be there or do anything. Mrs. Morton took the time to talk to him and keep pressuring him to do better. She said she saw his potential and knew he had family support and the ability to do better even though it was challenging for him. He gave her such a hard time that each time she talked to me I was surprised that she still had encouraging words about him. When he found out he would have her again his senior year, he sought her out to tell her he felt he owed her an apology. He saw that he had wasted some valuable time, and now he was taking a heavy load his senior year. She witnessed him talking to other underclassmen about the danger of wasting their time. He values the help Mrs. Morton gave him. Now he speaks of her with the utmost respect. I believe that because of her, he has decided he wants to become a special education teacher or an adaptive physical education teacher. Thank you Mrs. Morton for not giving up on my son, and believing in the students you teach. -Sheila Hall, parent
