The 2024-25 Denali Award winners were recognized Tuesday, May 20, 2025 during the Anchorage School Board meeting. 

Denali is an Athabascan word meaning “great one,” and the Anchorage School District (ASD) is proud to have employees that display greatness in the areas of achievement, service, and dedication. The Denali award is the highest award offered by the District.

About the Denali Awards

Each spring, supervisors submit nominations, and a panel of ASD staff selects a number of employees and a team of colleagues that demonstrate outstanding commitment to the District’s mission of educating all students for success in life.

There are three different categories for the Denali Award: Classified, Certificated, and Team. ASD is honored to recognize two individuals and one group as the 2025 Denali Award winners. 

The District would like to acknowledge the individuals who received Honorable Mention for their exceptional service and dedication. These employees were nominated and stood out to the selection panel for their outstanding contributions to their schools and the Anchorage School District community.

2025 Honorable Mention recipients:

• Eric Elliott, Government Hill Elementary

• Ryan Harris, Government Hill Elementary

• Linda Korevec, Kasuun Elementary School

• Edward Pershing, Denali Montessori School

• Gerald Ramos, College Gate Elementary School

2025 Denali Award recipients

Certificated Denali Award winner

Amanda Schultz, Kasuun Elementary School Teacher

 

Mrs. Schultz is an exceptional educator who has taken on significant leadership roles within Kasuun Elementary School and the Anchorage School District. For the past two years, she has served as the Tier I PBIS Coordinator, contributing to the development and implementation of school-wide behavior systems that promote positive behavior and a supportive learning environment. She has served as Teacher-in-Charge over the years, Building Test Coordinator, Talent Show Coordinator, Red Ribbon Week Coordinator, ASD Mentor, Student Teacher Supervisor, and she tutors students after school. 

Mrs. Schultz skillfully engages her students through various interactive strategies, including group discussions, choral reading, and peer-assisted learning activities. She fosters an atmosphere of collaboration by encouraging students to help one another in problem-solving situations, promoting critical thinking and mutual support. For example, she facilitates peer feedback with comments like, “Don’t forget to add a period,” and “This is where you find the answer,” which helps students enhance their learning and improve their work. Additionally, Mrs. Schultz effectively uses turn-and-talk strategies to deepen students' understanding of key concepts, such as exploring the question, “What is an amphibian?”

Mrs. Schultz actively encourages school-to-home connections by motivating students to complete iReady lessons at home. She recognizes their achievements by providing certificates for milestones such as 25, 30, 50, and 100 lessons completed. To further celebrate their hard work, Mrs. Schultz gives students the opportunity to choose a reward when they reach these milestones. Options include an ice cream party, cookies, and a whole-class pizza party for those who complete 100 lessons. When students are recognized for these achievements, the entire class cheers and drums on cue, following a prompt from Mrs. Schultz to celebrate their peers’ success. Importantly, she invites parents to join the classroom when their child is being recognized, fostering a sense of community and involvement in their child’s educational journey.

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Classified Denali Award winner

David Mayo-Kiely, Child in Transition Program

 

 

Dave has provided consistent and stable leadership in his department for 16 years, including vast community partnership and inclusion of innovative ideas to serve families that may be in some of the most vulnerable situations due to economic and housing hardship. He is often called to testify before our Legislature, be interviewed by the news, or work in tandem with Schoolhouse Connection and local affiliated social service organizations. He has been a well-spoken advocate and respected representative of the Anchorage School District. 

Dave has expertise regarding McKinney-Vento funds and has partnered with several alternative schools and departments to meet the needs of students at a variety of settings across the city. While his department is small, they provide daily support to many families and school staff to connect resources that support student success, including but not limited to the Downtown Covenant House classroom, night school, summer opportunities, and blend funded student success coaches. Additionally, Dave partners on several big projects each year to include the expansion of the local HUGSS event and the ASD resource fair. He is often requested to present to principals and front office staff to spread awareness to identify and connect families to valuable resources. 

Dave is highly respected and has provided discerning perspectives to support changes around issues such as Rightsizing, transportation needs, and any event or initiative whose work prioritizes families that may encounter additional barriers. He knows about the broad landscape and unique schools and regional factors across the District, and is able to support his staff as they answer urgent calls, coordinate with multiple departments, and interacting with families under high stress that need to be handled as delicately and wisely as possible.

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Team Denali Award winners:

Academies of Anchorage Coaches:

• Melissa Carey
• Maureen Cronin
• David Dobler
• Amy Habberstad
• Leah Kellerby
• Tony Lewis
• Amy Peters
• Adam Wartman

 

 

The Academy Coaches in the Academies of Anchorage are more than just educators; they are architects of opportunity, tirelessly working to bridge the gap between classroom learning and real-world application, all while supporting the Anchorage School Board’s College Career and Life readiness goal. 

Their dedication extends far beyond traditional teaching and counseling roles, as they actively cultivate partnerships with local businesses and organizations. This collaborative effort allows them to design and implement work-based learning experiences which provide students with invaluable hands-on exposure to diverse career pathways. Moreover, they support the curriculum in Freshman Academy, Career Technical Education (CTE), and other academic classes aligning with industry needs, equipping students with the skills and knowledge necessary to thrive in Alaska's dynamic workforce. This proactive approach to education is instrumental in preparing students for successful transitions into both higher education and meaningful careers, strengthening the foundation of Anchorage's future.

Academy Coaches provide crucial personalized support to students. They are proactive problem solvers, finding innovative solutions to the challenges that arise with work-based learning, and other academy centered activities. 

Additionally, they serve as vital liaisons, strengthening the connections between schools, students, and the wider community. By organizing career expos and campus visits, they create platforms for students to interact with professionals and explore potential career paths firsthand. This commitment to holistic student development is a testament to their dedication to creating a more engaging and impactful educational experience for all students.

Academy Coaches also play a significant role in supporting staff development. They collaborate with teachers to integrate career-focused learning into classroom instruction, ensuring that educators are equipped to prepare students for the demands of the modern workforce. They also help staff understand the changing landscape of local industries, enabling them to provide relevant and up-to-date guidance. By fostering a culture of collaboration and continuous improvement, Academy Coaches contribute to a more dynamic and responsive educational environment within the Anchorage School District. 

Their multifaceted contributions, from building community partnerships to providing personalized student support and empowering staff, make them indispensable assets in shaping the future of Anchorage's students and the community as a whole.

Though the Academy Coach role is relatively new to the Anchorage School District, its impact is already transforming the educational landscape. These coaches are forging pathways where previously there were none and taking a risk on a position that is continually redefining itself.

During the 2024-25 school year, the Academy Coaches facilitated over 65,000 work-based learning touchpoints for 9th graders, an increase across the system of well over 200%. By demonstrating the tangible benefits of industry engagement, these coaches are reshaping how the District approaches career readiness.

Furthermore, the Academy Coaches are making a critical difference by providing personalized, proactive support to students navigating the complexities of their educational and career journeys. By fostering a culture of personalized support and proactive engagement, the coaches are ensuring that every student has the tools and resources they need to thrive. This team implements the goals of the largest grant ASD has ever received, Fostering Diverse Schools, from the US Department of Education. 

This team of educators is driving early successes that lay a strong foundation for the continued growth and impact of the Academies of Anchorage, enabling the District to stretch toward new goals.