Quyana to Cheryl Hilmes at Chinook Elementary! Ms. Hilmes goes the "extra mile" in so many ways for Chinook. This year, in addition to all her other responsibilities, she has been the accompanist for our chorus. I want her to know how much I've appreciated her time in after-school practices and in our concerts. Cheryl is a true example of dedication to her students and her school. -Rebecca Pfennig, peer
Quyana to Marvin Kroener in the Maintenance Department! Mr. Kroener was repairing the sink in my classroom when the children arrived for school. He had incredible patience for the many questions that they asked. He also explained what he was doing and why it was needed. I heard one child say "I want to be a plumber." It was quite a learning experience for them. For the rest of the day they shared "Marv the plumber stories" with anyone who would listen. -Cindy Martindale, kindergarten teacher
Quyana to Wade Hughes at Mears Middle School! I have been a substitute teacher at Mears for the last few years. Recently I have frequently worked with the Kustatan Team. They are all an amazing group of teachers. They have such personal interest in each of their team students.
Wade Hughes has always impressed me with his professional approach to teaching and his awareness of each student and their strengths and weaknesses. Today was an example. I stopped to greet a student that I know in the hallway. He likes to wear his hair over his eyes. The student is an underachiever with obvious potential. I always tease him about not being able to see his eyes. Wade was standing there listening. He later approached me and said "I spoke with the student and the vice principal after your observation of his hair. I told him that I need to be able to see his eyes, because if he were to pass me years from now I would not recognize him, as seeing into his eyes is how I would know him. Later in the day, his hair was pushed away from his face and I saw his eyes…he smiled at me and said "thanks".
Something tells me he will remember Mr. Hughes comment for the rest of his life. The community is lucky to have such outstanding teachers like the Kustatan Team and Wade Hughes. -Bette, substitute teacher
Quyana to Claudia Bittlingmaier at Taku Elementary! I would like to extend my sincere quyana to Ms. Bittlingmaier, of Taku Elementary School for an excellent job of teaching her class. I enjoy how she uses different techniques to teach her students so each one can learn up to their full potential. Ms. Bittlingmaier tries her best to make sure the parents are happy right along with her students. She's always available when you needed her. I have been extremely impressed with her teaching style and ability. My son, who now loves math, can't wait to come home to do his homework. The academic and social growth I have witnessed in my son and the rest of the class this year has been remarkable. -Demi Frigillana, parent
Quyana to Dennis Gall in the Psychology Department! I would like to thank Dennis Gall for his thorough evaluation of each and every student that he tests. He puts much thought into looking at the "whole child." He works with the team of teachers and makes teaching recommendations that he thinks will match the student learning style. He often goes above and beyond the required testing to have a better profile of the strengths and weaknesses of the student. As a special education teacher, this is very useful in addressing the unique learning needs of students.
Thank you Dennis for your dedication. -Debbie Worthington, special education teacher
Quyana to Renee Howland and May Vaught at Gruening Middle School! Mrs. Howland and Mrs. Vaught are to be commended for the effort they have put forth this year to help my son transition successfully into middle school. They have worked very diligently to help our son get accustomed to the requirements and responsibility of being in 7th grade. These teachers were very receptive to my husband and me and respected our desire to play a very active role in his educational success. They welcomed us as a part of the team that is responsible for helping our son succeed. I can not thank them enough for making this a great year. -Annette Bell, parent
Quyana to Jackie Buckley at Lake Otis Elementary!
Jackie Buckley is a positive and cheerful member of our school. She goes far beyond her job by her willingness to help others. Her caring and compassionate nature is seen every day as she interacts with staff, students, and families. It is evident that she loves and respects children.
My husband and I personally appreciate Jackie, as she has been so supportive while I'm home on medical leave. She has kept communication open by phone, emails, and even visits to deliver cards, letters, and gifts from staff and students. She even came in with family on a Saturday to help us pack up my personal items and spent most of the day! Jackie, we can't begin to thank you enough for everything you do for our school, kids, families, and staff.
We love you! -Sherry (and Rollie) Gardiner, teacher
Quyana to Anthony Lemons in the Transportation Department! I was informed that this school bus driver had taken control of a near fatal accident, involving a stop arm violator, almost hitting children crossing the road. This bus driver should be recognized for saving those children by alerting them just in time. Since when do bus drivers get appreciated for the countless children that they drive to and from school safely? -Jacky Remole, parent
Quyana to Adele George at Mirror Lake Middle School! Quyana to Mrs. George for doing such an excellent job in teaching Cultural Art. Mrs. George is a wonderful teacher and she is very creative and enthusiastic, too. I'm impressed with the projects my daughter has made in her classroom and that she's learning so much about different cultures, too.
To learn about another culture and then to be able to express what you've learned through the creativity of making a project that represents that culture is an invaluable experience. I feel fortunate my daughter was able to have that experience by taking Mrs. George's class and I know my daughter has truly enjoyed Cultural Art very much, too.
I love the mask my daughter made in Mrs. George's class! The mask is absolutely beautiful and will be a treasured addition to our home. I saw the display in the school of masks her students made and they depicted such beauty, creativity and unique self-expression and I attribute that to how well Mrs. George led them, guided them and taught them.
My daughter loves art and Mrs. George helped to further foster that; especially since my daughter spends time making projects at home now. Quyana, Mrs. George for everything you did to make Cultural Art a worthwhile, educational and fun experience for my daughter and her classmates; I commend you for doing such an exceptional job! -Barbara Ringland, parent
Quyana to Madonna Combs at Dimond High School! My son has unexpectedly missed a great deal of school due to health problems. I stopped by Dimond High School to talk to his counselor about what we should do. Without being asked, Madonna Combs, the receptionist, made sure that everyone of his teachers knew I was there so we could work something out. With the end of the year looming, I knew I wasn't going to be able to reach every teacher and have them get back to me in time. With her assistance, his counselor and I were able to speak with all of them. I don't think we could have gotten it together so easily without Ms. Combs's insight into what I needed. Thank you, Ms. Combs! -Rebecca Graham, parent
Quyana to Donna Kleppin at West High School! I would like to thank Ms. Kleppin for her hard work and dedication in helping kids succeed. She holds her students accountable while still encouraging them to excel. She is a great teacher and a valuable asset to the Anchorage School District and our community. I would like to commend Ms. Kleppin for her dedication in encouraging high school kids succeed. She has been an excellent role model for my daughter, and many other neighborhood kids, which will have a positive long-lasting impact on their future. Thanks for being such a great supporter of our children today! -Sincerely,
Michele Christiansen, parent
Quyana to Cheryl Huber and the Counseling Department at West High School!
All of you made my year as an Educational Talent Search advisor so wonderful. You all constantly fed me students to have enrolled into the program, spread the word about me and what I was trying to do around the school, and welcomed me into West with open arms! At first, I was highly upset that I was not place at Dimond High School, my alma mater. I could not image working with any other group of people besides the ones at West High School. Being able to be a part of your West High Family made me realize how serious I am about becoming an educator of language arts on the secondary level, especially at West. I thank all of you for what you have done for me and the ETS program. This year could not have been a success if it had not been for all of you. See you in the fall. -Collin M. White. Educational Talent Search Advisor
Quyana to the ASD Paint Crew in the Maintenance Department! They work shifts around the clock to make sure our facilities are looking clean and new. When it comes to vandalism and graffiti removal, these workers are on the front line to paint over our community's most embarrassing and thoughtless actions. Unfortunately , our school was hit by an extensive, vulgar array of spray painted graffiti. After police investigated, Jerry, Alvin and Chris from ASD Paint Crew went to work and painted away every speck of the vandalism. They left our building's exterior walls looking perfectly professionally painted - like brand new! Kudos to the crew and their work; I can't thank you enough. -Paul Wieneke, principal at Susitna Elementary
Quyana to the Maintenance Department!
Thanks to all the great staff in the Maintenance Department for their exceptional work last year and especially for the beautiful job they did, with limited resources, of refurbishing our Chinook reader board! You're awesome! -Claire Frederic, administrative assistant
Quyana to David Hall and Chip Nordhoff at Chinook Elementary! During the last week of school classroom teachers can find themselves scrambling to "get things done." That week two specialists at Chinook gave the gift of kindness by providing planning time in an alternative way. David Hall, our PE teacher, came into the classroom to help bind student books. By doing this, he got to see the students' projects and they got to have time sharing their books with him. Our librarian, Chip Nordhoff, spent his 30 minute library time planting in the school garden with the 1st & 2nd graders. He used his green thumb to help get our potatoes, carrots and sweet peas planted. I very much appreciated this alternative way of using planning time and I'm happy that the students got to have time with their PE teacher and librarian in a different setting. -Cheryl Hilmes, peer
Quyana to Brandy Davenport, Joey Williams and Joe Winter at Chinook Elementary!
I would like to extend my heart felt thanks to my colleagues for stepping in to chaperone Chinook's mediators for the rally in May 2007. Ms. Davenport, Miss Williams and Mr. Winter provided leadership, organization and care for our 42 mediators during this year's rally. Our school wouldn't have been able to participate without their commitment to our students. I appreciate their willingness to provide support to our program. -Cheryl Hilmes, peer
Quyana to Carol Smith at Mt Spurr Elementary! I wanted to take the time and say how much I appreciate what Mrs. Smith did for my son last year. She is a wonderful teacher. I have been teaching for 16 years and even though I never taught in the same building with her, I was able to see how good she was just by what Joshua brought home during the school year. I was so impressed with how organized she was, I only wish that one day I can get that way with my classroom.
I also wanted to say that I really appreciated the patience and understanding she took in working with Joshua. Again, thanks again to Mrs. Smith for her kindness and giving me the time when I needed to email or talk. I only hope that my step-son's teacher next year will do the same. -Nadine Graves, parent
Quyana to Casey Miller at Dimond High School!
He spends time to thoroughly explain his assignments, and gladly opens his room at lunch. He is a great role model to all of his students, and treats them with respect, as do his students. His lesson plans are fun and exciting, yet challenging and informative, all at the same time. I am glad my daughter had the opportunity to be under the supervision of the highly qualified teacher. -Jenna Tulls, parent
Quyana to Brendan Wilson at Hanshew Middle School!
Brendan Wilson stepped in as an assistant principal sometime this past February at Hanshew Middle School. He quickly established a positive yet firm rapport with students. Brendan's sense of humor and assertiveness helped to maintain high expectations for student behavior choices. I feel very fortunate to have worked with Brendan for such a short time, but I have no doubt that he will continue to be a strong administrator. Thank You Brendan! -Deanna Youngren, teacher
Quyana to Gretchen Hopkins at Campbell Elementary!
My son Joshua attended Campbell this past academic year. He was placed in a second - third grade split; which can be an undesirable situation.
Mrs. Hopkins was his teacher. It was obvious that long hours were spent adapting a full year curriculum for each class into a mixed curriculum for a single class. I am sure that having several students with various problems did not make this any easier…but you would not know this when observing her class. She is an amazing teacher!
The children all benefited from the creative planning, patience, and hard work put into each day! They all adore her.
Outstanding teachers, such as Mrs. Hopkins, are what make the Anchorage School District what it is - thank you! -
Sincerely,
R. Gretchen Smith, parent
Quyana to Ms. Daphne Matz in the Skills Acquisition Room at Whaley School! I was fortunate enough to be able to team-teach with Daphne Matz in the Skills Room last year, and with Read-190 the year prior. I have always been impressed with her unwavering dedication and her intuitive insight into working with students with extreme special needs. No matter what is going on in the classroom or hallway, she is endlessly patient and instinctively effective. We formed an incredibly committed teaching team last year, and both wish we were still teaming together. I have learned a great deal from Ms. Matz. Her students and our school are blessed to have her! She is definitely one of the very best teachers I have been privileged to know. -Bev Kirk, fellow teacher
