DALLAS
 SCHOOL DIsTRICT
 

Distinguished educators 2014-2015 

May 2015 - Carmel Hanes

Today, Carmel Hanes, school psychologist for our district was presented with the May Distinguished Educator Award.

Her nominators were Yvette Allen and Diana Christensen, colleagues at Whitworth Elementary.

They shared these comments about Mrs. Hanes:

• She always gives thoughtful new ideas and strategies about how to work with students

• She has a way of looking at students in such a positive, compassionate way

• She has probably helped improve the lives of students in this district more than anyone with her wise advice, useful trainings, and compassionate, empathetic view of our students

• I appreciate how she is always researching and finding out the latest and best ways to help students and staff

• She is approachable and willing to share her knowledge

• She has an awesome sense of humor

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Here are few things other colleagues had to say about Mrs. Hanes:

·         I wouldn’t of had the success I’ve had without the help she’s offered

·         I benefited from her wisdom

·         She made me a better teacher

Please join me in congratulating Carmel!

April 2015 - Brian Williamson

Friday, Brian Williamson, 5th grade teacher at Whitworth Elementary School was presented with the April Distinguished Educator Award.

His nominators were Sophia Baughman and Lilly Garrett, current students.

They shared these comments about Mr. Williamson:

• He is an amazing teacher because he teaches math, writing, and reading so well

• He shows he cares about our learning by encouraging us and making learning interesting and fun

• He is such a good teacher because he teaches us strategies and shortcuts and makes math fun and easy

• He makes writing interesting and encourages our best effort on everything

• He trains our brains with daily reading activities which help us with our tests

• He is an expert teacher, encourages us and makes learning fun in hundreds of ways!

Here is what the other students had to say about Mr. Williamson:

• He’s really loud if you’re right next to him

• He’s an excellent teacher who tries to help us pay attention more

• He’s plain awesome

• He’s fun so we don’t get bored

• He has an amazing personality

• He tries to say good morning to every classroom

• He’s funny

• He’s good at helping us read

Please join me in congratulating Brian!

March 2015 - Blake Shinn

Friday, Blake Shinn, 6th grade math teacher at LaCreole Middle School was presented with the March Distinguished Educator Award at an all-school assembly.

His nominator was Kimberly Noack, parent of one of Mr. Shinn’s students and colleague at LaCreole.

She shared these comments about Mr. Shinn:

• He is a teacher that exemplifies what every good teacher should be, a supporter of student learning

• He spends countless hours before school, during lunch time, and after school

• He believes that students and their learning should always come first

• He is dedicated to current and former students and willing to help all in gaining math skills

• He encourages students and helps them push through frustration until success and understanding is reached

• He shows respect to his students and is positive in all his interactions, even when giving correction

• He brings a realistic approach to our 6th grade team, which helps keep us all grounded and focused

Here is what the other students had to say about Mr. Shinn:

• He doesn’t flip out if we don’t get the answers right

• He helps us understand problems

• He is nice and pretty helpful

• He always has a smile on his face

• He is very patient!

Please join me in congratulating Blake!

February 2015 - Kari Witt

Today, Kari Witt, Kindergarten teacher at Lyle Elementary School was presented with February’s Distinguished Educator Award.

Her nominator was Amy Lieuallen, parent of a Kindergarten student from Ms. Witt’s classroom last year. She shared these comments about Ms. Witt:

• I am impressed by the amount of learning she can squeeze into a 2.5 hour day

• She always makes the students feel like she has time to listen

• She does not rush them even when she’s pressed for time

• She is an effective teacher, gently serious when she needs to be

• She provides a fun learning environment for her class and is extremely caring

• A significant number of students have met the writing standards in her Kindergarten classroom – not a small task!

• When I asked my son about Miss Witt he said “she does fun stuff, we do fun math games”

Here is what the other students had to say about Ms. Witt:

• She teaches us to be respectful, responsible, and to make good choices!

• She’s a good teacher and knows how to work good

• She always does good and helps people learn everything she knows

• She helps kids work and be good

• She’s always nice and helps people

Please join me in congratulating Kari!

January 2015 - Lynden Jones

Today, Lynden Jones at Whitworth Elementary School was presented with January’s Distinguished Educator Award.

Her nominators were Jeff and Jaime Hevener, parents of a student in Mrs. Jones classroom.

She shared these comments about Mrs. Jones:

• She has greatly impacted our child’s life

• She was very willing to work with us to help our child overcome the challenges he faces

• She communicates frequently to keep us informed of his progress and see if adjustments need to be made

• She has always shown a positive attitude and is so friendly

• She has been eager to do whatever it takes to help our son

• Words cannot describe how much it has meant to us as parents for a teacher to care so much about our child

• Our child has made such progress with his challenges

• When we asked our child about Mrs. Jones, he replied “Dad, I have had a lot of great teachers so it is hard to pick one. But, Mrs. Jones is pretty awesome. I would say she is my favorite teacher that I have ever had.”

Here is what the other students had to say about Mrs. Jones:

·         She explains things well

·         She is really nice to us

·         She is a really good teacher

·         She cares about our feelings

·         She goes step by step

·         She teaches us love

Please join us in congratulating Lynden!

November 2014 - Ann Ludwig

Ann Ludwig, Educational Assistant at Oakdale Heights Elementary School was presented with November’s Distinguished Educator Award.

Her nominator was Courtney Wehner, Kindergarten teacher that Ann assists in the classroom.

She shared these comments about Mrs. Ludwig:

• I cannot think of anyone more deserving

• She truly loves the students

• She is caring, diligent, and very dedicated to her job

• She stays late to make sure we are prepped and ready for the following day

• She selflessly takes personal days to volunteer for the school’s jog-a-thon

• She was the creator of our school’s Harvest Festival and has volunteered every year since then to ensure the event is perfect for our students

• She is our school’s “go to” photographer and makes sure every student has their picture taken for the end of the year slideshow she puts together

• She creates posters of advertisement for our monthly movie nights as well as attends our Literacy and Math nights.

• She does ALL these things PLUS works in my classroom

Here is what the Kindergarten students had to say about Mrs. Ludwig:

• I love her

• She’s helpful

• She’s a great teacher

• She’s very nice

• I love her

• She plays with me

• She’s always smiling

Please join us in congratulating Ann!

October 2014 - Jon Petersen

Jon Petersen, PE Teacher at Oakdale Heights Elementary School was presented with October’s Distinguished Educator Award.

His nominator was JoAnn Ekstrand a volunteer at the school and grandparent of two students who have Mr. Petersen as a PE teacher. She shared these comments about Mr. Petersen:

• He has the kids enthusiastically participate and demonstrates “fun in action”

• In spite of children rotating in and out every half hour, he is aware of the kids strengths and areas they are working on

• He focuses on learning to have fun playing games (even if you lose)

• He teaches the important rules of sportsmanship, empathy for one another, and the joy of being active

Here is what other students had to say about Mr. Petersen:

• He lets us play with some stuff

• He’s nice

• He lets us go around and play on other things

• He’s a great teacher

• He’s the best PE teacher

• He lets us play with the rope

Please join us in congratulating Jon!

September 2014 - Dobie Long

Dobie Long, counselor at Dallas High School was presented with the Distinguished Educator Award for September. 

Dobie was nominated by Kathy Cole, a parent of three students who graduated from DHS. She shared these comments about Ms. Long:

•          Dobie is always willing to give me time and explain things to me no                       matter what else she has going on.

•          She follows through with each request and always answers my questions.

•          I felt like she truly wants all of the students to succeed and is always                    willing to give everyone her time.

•          She treats everyone as though they are special.

Here is what other students had to say about Ms. Long:

•          Dobie gave me the encouragement to follow my dreams

•          She is kind and warm hearted

•          Dobie is absolutely fantastic – she always follows through

•          “The best person in the world”

•          Not only does she do all her counseling work, she also plays                                  music perfectly for our school plays

Please join us in congratulating Dobie. She is a very special person and a great asset to DHS and Dallas School District!

Distinguished Educator Mission Statement

Our mission is to recognize excellence in teaching and learning.

Excellence that extends beyond the classroom walls;

Excellence that makes a life changing impact for our students;

Excellence that builds our future…one student at a time!