Quyana to Mrs. Yvette Stone and Ms. Amy Bonertz at Bartlett High School! A BIG THANK YOU to both Mrs. Stone and Ms. Bonertz! They are fantastic coaches for flag football. All the girls on JV and C teams were always happy and willing to play any position! It was great to watch all the games and seeing the girls so upbeat. They all learned a great deal from you both, especially Sami !
- Kelly and Travis Maxim, parents
Quyana to Clayton Atkins at Whaley Center! Clayton is an amazing intervention coach at Whaley. This is my first year at Whaley as a teacher assistant, and I really appreciate what Clayton does for the students. He is very patient and is always willing to help them be successful. He is also a lot of fun to work with. He has helped make my experience at Whaley an enjoyable one!
- Amy Thompson, teacher assistant
Quyana to James Gray at the Education Center! I really appreciated the manner in which James helped brighten the Ed Tech office yesterday. He was very approachable, listened to what I had to say, and went out of his way to produce a win-win solution. Thank you for going above and beyond. You made my day! I will think of your kindness every time I walk by those offices.
- Joanne Osborne, peer
Quyana to Kathleen Godsoe at Williwaw Autism Program! Kathleen is always going above and beyond to help others. She has helped me the last three years and is an inspiration to other educators. I want to thank her especially for her support this year. During my times of stress, she has been there to listen and to help me with anything and everything. Thank you Kathleen for everything!
- Brandy Jones, teacher
Quyana to Travis Harrington at Mirror Lake Middle School! Thank you Mr. Harrington for really helping me out with everything, even going out of your way to help me. Thanks again!
- Alex Culbert, student
Quyana to Dody Froehlich at the Student Nutrition Department! I would just like to say Quyana to Dody for all her hard work. She truly is a wonderful person. She deals with our free and reduced program and is doing an outstanding job. Thanks Dody you make my job The best.
- Jamie Beardsley, peer- co worker
Quyana to Ms. Nicole Lamb at Whaley Center, level 2! Thank you to Ms. Nicole for teaching us.
- from SS, a student
Quyana to the entire staff at Homestead Elementary! I want to thank all the teachers and support staff at Homestead for the work they do with children. They all love kids and it shows in the dedication to their jobs. I just really would like to thank them all for everything they do for the children at Homestead.
- Venessa Brazfield, parent
Quyana to Laurel Vorachek at Assessment and Evaluation! Laurel Vorachek’s dedication to students, ASD staff and the community is seen throughout all of her work as Executive Director of Assessment and Evaluation. Recently Laurel arranged for a meeting with another department to help facilitate new practices that did not even directly impact her department. She went out of her way to help many staff members and students across the district. Thank you Laurel for always looking at the bigger picture. You are appreciated.
- Christine Garbe, peer
Quyana to Angelina Fleckenstein at Information Technology! Angelina is one key player who has helped make the transition into a Zangle a smooth one. Anytime anyone in our department calls her she is always pleasant and helpful. She goes out of her way to make sure we have what we need for students and staff. Thank you Angelina for helping all of us in the English Language Learner Program. Soon we will be clicking along and we will only have to call to say, "Hello!"
- Christine Garbe, peer
Quyana to Mrs. Jessica Uptegrove at Bowman elementary School! Ms. Uptegrove is a very special teacher who creates a positive learning environment for every one of her students. Each student in her class has special needs and she is able to coordinate an incredible amount of learning for these special kids every day. The children in her class require a different type of environment to learn in and Ms. Jessica not only provides that, but she shows each child that they are special, important and loved every day they are at school.
Her communication with parents and acceptance of their ideas in their child's education is exceptional. As a classroom volunteer and parent of one of her students, it is an emotional experience to witness the transformation that takes place in all of her students, as a result of the structured education, support and love she provides them on a daily basis.
- Mary Stassel, parent, PTA executive board member, volunteer
Quyana to Merri Kae Vanderploeg at Gifted Education! Merri Kae is an outstanding educator who consistently puts the needs of children first. Her creative ideas inspire those who work with her and filter down to all gifted children in the Anchorage School District. Merri Kae teaches many popular classes to teachers including the Art Partners in Education, How Boys and Girls Learn Differently, and Gifted and Poverty. We feel fortunate to have Merri Kae as a leader who inspires and helps us put best practice into action. Thank you and happy birthday from all your friends around the ASD!
- Dawn Wilcox, teacher
Quyana to Susan Koike at Chugiak Elementary! Susan Koike continuously shares her expertise in technology to enrich library class lessons. Her willingness to help other librarians and especially her patience in teaching me these new technologies has enriched all of us. Thank you, Susan.
- Mary Lum, peer
Quyana to Roseanne Brownfield at Trailside Elementary! Roseanne is eternally optimistic and is a pleasure to work with. She cares for all students and takes the time to stop and talk with them whenever she gets the chance. Roseanne makes all students feel special, whether she works directly for them or not. She is friendly, fun, and always smiling. Trailside is a better place with Roseanne there!
- Melissa May-Pringle, coworker
Quyana to Ted Angstadt at Northwood ABC! Mr. Angstadt is a wonderful teacher whom goes above and beyond what any teacher’s job should entail. He is very in tune with his students and their parents. He understands the students and teaches them in a way where they can grasp concepts, and he makes learning fun and enjoyable. He uses today’s technology to capture their minds and lets them be creative during all his lessons. Mr. Angstadt is a also very active with the school store and uses his students to help run it. It teaches the students values and skills for a brighter future. He is a very active member with the PTA and is always there to lend a helping hand. All the students enjoy being in his class. On behalf of the parents and PTA, I would like to say “thank you” to Mr. Angstadt for inspiring my son towards a brighter future.
- Wendy, parent, PTA officer
Quyana to Miriam Delap at Lake Otis elementary! Mrs. Delap has created such a warm and inviting musical environment that any child, regardless of age or ability level can experience the beauty of music and feel the satisfaction of being a musical creator. Her consistent efforts to make music accessible to the most challenged students has greatly improved the lives of those children and teachers fortunate enough to work with her.
- Kevin Crowley, Intensive Needs special education teacher (co-worker)
Quyana to Dolores Solano at ASD Recruiter- Human Resources! What would the ASD be without Dolores? I do not have the ability to express how much Dolores has helped me out in my professional career. I came to Anchorage from Oregon, a lost soul, and without much, but Dolores took me under her wings and assisted me beyond her call of duty. I want to just say Thank You from the deepest parts of my heart. Mil gracias, Dolores. Un brazo.
- Marty Perez, Spanish teacher, Mears Middle School
Quyana to Ed Scherer at Whaley School! I want to thank Mr. Scherer for taking so much time to make sure I am supported in my new position at Whaley. He has been so welcoming and supportive of all the new teachers to his school. He also is frequently checking in to see if there is anything I need or helps me find the correct information in the district. Being new to the district, it is wonderful to have an outstanding and supportive building administrator. Thank you Mr. Scherer!
- Wendy Nebbia, Special Education teacher
Quyana to Dorothea Culbert at Alpenglow Elementary! Thanks to Dorothea Culbert for her hard working and teaching skills!
- Alex Culbert, student
Quyana to Ron Blakeman at ASD Maintenance! Ron is helpful, cheerful, and oh, so competent. He goes above and beyond in making sure that our school always looks top notch. Ron scours our rooms and hallways, looking for anything that is damaged, and promptly fixes it. He asks us to point out any areas he may have missed. The quality of his repairs make items look brand new, not patched. We are very lucky to have Ron Blakeman taking care of our school.
- Karen Orfitelli, SPED teacher
