IPSD204 Stars: A+ Awards
204 Stars: A+ Awards
IPSD204 has outstanding teachers and support staff who provide an excellent education and sustain the district’s strong reputation. Each month, three ‘stars,’ one from elementary, middle and high school levels, are recognized for going above and beyond to make a difference for students.
The A+ Award recognizes these stars and their contributions. Sponsored by Wells Fargo Advisors, the award recipients receive items for their classrooms and recognition throughout the district.
Know such a deserving teacher or support staff member? Nominate them for an A+ Award. ➤
A+ Awards Overview
In 2014, IPEF teamed up with District 204 and Wells Fargo Advisors to recognize the positive impact of educators with a new award. The A+ Award is presented monthly by a surprise team to the unsuspecting winning teachers or staff members.
While their backgrounds and stories are unique, all A+ Award winners have one thing in common: they go ‘above and beyond’ for the students they support, often making the difference between a student floundering or succeeding. Remember that teacher who most influenced you during your school years? These A+ Award winners are those kind of educators.
Program Sponsor
A+ Awards 2019 – 2020 School Year
May - Matt Cooper
April - Michele Savant
March - Scott Schaffer
February - Kevin Wynard
January - Amit Vaid
December - Eric Williams
November - Jimmy Kennedy
October - Holly Crawford
September - Meghan Van Dorn
2014 – 2022 A+ Award Recipients
2021 – 2022 | ||
| September | LeeAnn Pietryk | McCarty Elementary School (4th Grade Teacher) |
| September | Michele Nowoj | Granger Middle School (6th PA Math Teacher) |
| September | Kathryn Kreutzer | Neuqua Valley High School (PE/Health Teacher) |
| October | Melinda Clawson | Graham Elementary School) (Kindergarten Teacher) |
| October | Dina Esposito | Scullen Middle School (Counselor) |
| October | Kevin Carroll | Waubonsie Valley High School (Marching Band Director) |
| November | Debi Swieter | Longwood Elementary School (4th Grade Teacher) |
| November | Jennifer Coombs | Still Middle School (ELA Teacher) |
| November | Ashley Elder | STEPS (Teacher and Case Manager) |
| December | Kathryn Hillebrand | Cowlishaw Elementary School (1st Grade Teacher) |
| December | Kelly Mulhern | Granger Middle School (6th Grade Social Studies Teacher) |
| December | Kristen Mansmith | Metea Valley High School English Teacher/Coach) |
| January | Jenny Horsey | Kendall Elementary School (Project Arrow Teacher) |
| January | Beth Piccininni | Hill MIddle School (PA Math Teacher) |
| January | David Johnston | Neuqua Valley High School (Math Teacher) |
| February | Jean Domyancic | Owen Elementary School (2nd Grade Teacher) |
| February | Sheila Mertes | Scullen MIddle School (Teaching Assistant) |
| February | Albert Zika | Metea Valley High School (Science Teacher) |
| March | Joyce Louis | Steck Elementary School (1st Grade Teacher) |
| March | Maria Santoyo | Gregory MIddle School (Science Teacher) |
| March | Donald Dvorak | Waubonsie Valley HIgh School (Art Teacher) |
| April | Brooke Falck | Peterson Elementary School (3rd Grade Teacher) |
| April | Terrye Neuenschwander | Fischer Middle School (7th ELA/Geography Teacher) |
| April | Sarah Bien | Neuqua Valley High School (Chinese Teacher) |
| May | Missy Paoletti | Gombert Elementary School (Speech & Language Pathologist) |
| May | Anne O'Neil | Hill Middle School (8th PA ELA/SS Teacher) |
| May | Michael O'Neill | Metea Valley High School (Social Studies Teacher) |
2020 – 2021 | ||
| October | Aileen Hannigan | Clow Elementary School (1st Grade Teacher) |
| October | Stephanie Kuehn | Granger Middle School (6th Grade Math Teacher) |
| October | Jen Kastner | Waubonsie Valley High School (English Teacher) |
| November | Jacki Knowles | Longwood Elementary School (2nd Grade Teacher) |
| November | Ann Ketcherside | Scullen Middle School (6th Grade Science Teacher) |
| November | Alyssa Schneider | Metea Valley High School (Math Teacher) |
| December | Mary Zalabak | Young Elementary School (Special Ed Teacher) |
| December | Patrick Clifford | Hill Middle School (ELA Teacher) |
| December | Erica Pavlik | Neuqua Valley High School (Business Teacher) |
| January | Robert Tesmond | Metea Valley High School (English Teacher) |
| January | Bryan Buss | Crone Middle School (ELA Teacher) |
| January | Megan Federhofer | Brookdale Elementary School (5th Grade Teacher) |
| February | Jason Verdin | Neuqua Valley High School (English Teacher) |
| February | Kathy Abraham | Granger Middle School (French Teacher) |
| February | Courtney Abrahamovich | Patterson Elementary School (5th grade Teacher) |
| March | Karen Kripas | Waubonsie High School (Math Teacher) |
| March | George Vellookunnel | Hill Middle School (ELA/Social Studies Teacher) |
| March | Michael Esser | May Watts Elementary School (Special Ed Teacher Teacher) |
| April | Jennifer Torza | Metea Valley High School (Health/PE Teacher) |
| April | Stephanie Burdiak | Still Middle School (6th grade Teacher) |
| April | Amy Park | Clow Elementary School (3rd grade Teacher) |
| May | Dave Calvert | Waubonsie Valley High School (English Teacher/Theater) |
| May | Caitlin DeBona | Fischer Middle School (8th Grade Teacher) |
| May | Rebeka Rodriguez | Brooks Elementary School (5th Grade Teacher) |
2019 – 2020 | ||
| September | Meghan Van Dorn | Owen Elementary School (Special Ed Teacher) |
| October | Holly Crawford | Brooks Elementary School (First Student School Bus Driver) |
| November | Jimmy Kennedy | Neuqua Valley High School (PE Teacher) |
| December | Eric Williams | Crone Middle School (PE Teacher) |
| January | Amit Vaid | May Watts Elementary School (5th Grade Teacher) |
| February | Kevin Wynard | Metea Valley High School(Social Worker) |
| March | Scott Schaffer | Gregory Middle School (Technology Teacher) |
| April | Michele Savant | Scullen Middle School (Special Education Teacher) |
| May | Matt Cooper | Graham Elementary School (PE Teacher) |
2017 – 2018 | ||
| September | Jill DeFarno | Builta Elementary School (LMC Director) |
| October | Edgar Stewart | McCarty Elementary School(Crossing Guard) |
| November | Jennifer Rowe | Metea Valley High School(Dean) |
| December | Ryan Henry | Clow Elementary School(Music Teacher) |
| January | Cathie Prochaska | Cowlishaw Elementary Schoo;(2nd Grade Teacher) |
| February | Mariah Reed | Gombert Elementary School (2nd Grade Teacher) |
| March | Amanda Yee | Peterson Elementary School(2nd Grade Teacher) |
| April | Bernadette Jacobs | Fry Elementary School (Kindergarten Teacher) |
| May | Kim Haake | Waubonsie Valley High School (English Teacher) |
2018 – 2019 | ||
| October | Tony Annarino | Builta Elementary (Evening Custodian) |
| November | Amy Huetson | Granger Middle (PA Science Teacher) |
| December | Alexis Mansfield | Gombert Elementary (4th Grade Teacher) |
| January | Jeannie Dina | IPSD (Registration/Residency) |
| February | John Gelsomino | Neuqua Valley High School (Media Teacher) |
| March | Elaine Archey | Brooks Elementary (Teaching Assistant) |
| April | Colin Rust | Brookdale Elementary (4th Grade Teacher) |
| May | John Gibbs | Still Middle/Prairie Preschool (Coach, Teaching Assistant) |
2016 – 2017 | ||
| September | Victor Low | Scullen Middle School (7th Grade Teacher) |
| October | Rhonda Jenkins | Kendall Elementary School (LMC Director) |
| November | Lisa Lake | Welch Elementary School (Social Worker) |
| December | Meredith Smith | Young Elementary School (3rd Grade Teacher) |
| January | Blake Cline | STEPS (Special Olympics Coach) |
| February | Keith Olson | McCarty Elementary School (5th Grade Teacher) |
| March | Michael Rossi | Neuqua Valley High School(English Teacher) |
| April | Andrea Palmer | Still Middle School (English/Social Studies Teacher) |
| May | Rob Maldonado | Young Elementary School (PE Teacher) |
2015 – 2016 | ||
| September | Amanda Pyzik | Metea Valley High School (Guidance Counselor) |
| October | Sue Kuhn | Graham Elementary School (Secretary) |
| November | Katie Ammons | Steck Elementary School (Kindergarten Teacher) |
| December | Eugenia Latka | Waubonsie Valley High School (Math Teacher) |
| January | Michael Ackerman | Metea Valley High School (Special Olympics Coach) |
| February | Matt Ragusa | Neuqua Valley High School (Chemistry Teacher, Coach) |
| March | John Fleetwood | Spring Brook Elementary School (Head Custodian) |
| April | Jacki Provis | Indian Plains High School (Secretary) |
| May | Patty McElroy | Patterson Elementary School (Nurse) |
2014 – 2015 | ||
| October | Skaiste Zinkevicius | Hill Middle School (6th Grade Teacher) |
| November | Debra Crooks | Graham Elementary School (2nd Grade Teacher) |
| December | Megan Marco | Fry Elementary School (Support Teacher) |
| January | Liz Fay | Waubonsie Valley High School (English Teacher) |
| February | Carolyn Hesselink | White Eagle Elementary School (4th Grade Teacher) |
| March | Heidi Provost | Spring Brook Elementary School (5th Grade Teacher) |
| Terence White | Still Middle School (Science Teacher) | |
| Janice Hums | Welch Elementary School (5th Grade Teacher) | |
| Emily Binder | Neuqua Valley High School (Music Teacher) | |
| April | Lynne White | Granger Middle School (LMC Director) |
| May | Kiki Labianca | Gregory Middle School (Project Arrow Teacher) |
