raymore-peculiar teacher of the year and

The Raymore-Peculiar

Public School Foundation

presents the

Thursday, April 6, 2017

Raymore-Peculiar High School

Raymore-Peculiar

Teacher of the Year and

Support Staff Employee of the Year

2017

2017 Campaign Donors (as of 4/4/2017)

DIRECTOR - $5000 Deborah Gash

Peculiar Charitable Foundation

First Church of Peculiar

Pete & Renee Kerckhoff

MENTOR - $2500-$4999 Price Chopper

Caring Hearts of Peculiar

Jim & Eleanor Kopetsky

ADVOCATE - $1001-2499 incite Design Studio

Phil Parke-Edward Jones

Bob & Jodie Huston

Creekmoor PTA

Brad & Tiffany Kiehl

Rock & Dirt Construction

Matt Hocker Agency

DLR Group

LEADER - $501-$1000 Phil & Missy Vandeusen

Larry & Mary Dobson

Community Bank of Raymore

Juan & Carolyn Grube

Kari & Laura Monsees

Belton Regional Medical Center

Apple Bus

Dick Bartow

John & Allison Bruflat

Raymore Lions Club

Sunrise Optimist Club

Outdoor Solutions

Raymore Festival in the Park

Greg & Jill Teale

Bryan & Sarah Pettengill

ECA

Sonic

Crossland Construction

All Systems Design Solutions

Pepper Grimm

Vincent & Annette Como

Belton-Raymore Rotary Club

PATRON - $251-$500 Amy Heinin

Eric Collins

CBIZ

Don & RoseAnn Shull

Nancy Dobbs

Ernest & Linda VanHooser

Al Voelker

Community Bank of Raymore

PARTNER - $101-$250 Piper Jaffray & Co.

Richard Mather Builders

Rep. Jack Bondon

Sen. Ed Emery

Commerce Bank

Stacy Allen

Janet Bader

Linda Bass

Carol Brandt

Cari Bryant

Risa Bullard

Cynthia Byous

Lindsay Carmichael

Lisa Carr

Tracy Caskey

Sarah Chellberg

Joanna Clark

Christina Cummings

Deanna Dawson

Leanne Dial

Kristine Dillon

Scott Dobson

Ashton Eslinger

Tina Fowler

Terry Foster

Daniel Garrison

Gina Garrison

Jennifer Gibson

Jennifer Gingrich

Carrie Hamburg

Katherine Hamburg

Amy Hansen

Melissa Haskamp

Lisa Hatfield

Christina Hocker

Edward Hruska

Wendy Huffman

Debra Ivanuska

Roger Jacobs

Robin Jones

Stefanie Kesler

Aaron King

Tom Kruse

Richard Lally

Calee McElwain

Lindsay Meyer

Whitney Mikkelsen

Bradye Miller

Michelle Moore

Candi Morris

Anne Mussatti

Juline Norman

Keri Pinney

Margaret Pointek

Heather Poland

Ivan Robison

Kristina Schuler

Brenda Sehorn

Linda Sharp

Mary Shatford

Jennifer Simmons

Amber Solomon

Lydmarie Spruill

Pam Steele

Gloria Stewart

Michele Stidham

Gayle Stoklasa

Faye Tait

Megan Tepfenhart

Rob Weida

Debbie Wescoat

Jodi Wooley

Kelli Yahnig

FRIEND - $100 Laura Campbell

Ruth Johnson

The Cochlan Group

Judge Mike Wagner

UMB

Raymore-Peculiar Teacher of the Year and

Support Staff Employee of the Year Banquet

April 6, 2017

Welcome .................................................................................... Dr. Kari Monsees, Superintendent

About the Public School Foundation........................ Jodie Huston, Foundation Executive Director

Teacher and Support Staff Employee of the Year Programs ...................................... Dr. Monsees

Introduction of Support Staff Finalists ................... Dr. Bryan Pettengill, Assistant Superintendent

............................................................................................... Cynthia Byous, Chief Financial Officer

Tracy Caskey Linda Portman

Dan Fisher Cheryl Tipton

Karla Heinrich Kristy Warren

Jeff Helzer Penny Wilson

Konni Noyes

Introduction of Teacher of the Year Finalists ................. Dr. Al Voelker, Assistant Superintendent

...................................................................................... Lisa Hatfield, Director of Human Resources

Tracy Elliott Katie Kiger

Tricia Elmore Angie LaSala

Dan Garrison Jennifer Milligan

Katie Goodin Brandon Ransom

Amy Greble Kim Shaul

Closing Remarks ........................................................................................................... Dr. Monsees

Announcement of winners

For the Winners $500 cash award (Funded by incite Design Studio and Crossland Construction) ● Desk award ● $25 HyVee gift card

Banners for his or her school ● 8x10 photo on display at the Administrative Services Center

$100 Price Chopper gift card ● Business cards from Cass Gazette ● $25 Sonic gift card ● Sam’s Club membership

The North Cass Herald subscription ● Raymore Chamber of Commerce mug ● Teacher of the Year ring from Balfour

All Finalists: Plaque and gift bag

Thanks to these contributors Sonic of Raymore ● Dancing Plus ● Bel-Ray Wellness Center ● Community Bank of Raymore

Affordable Elegance ● Bob Huston, Cass County Assessor ● Longview Funeral Home ● Jump City ● 9 Round

Belton Regional Medical Center ● Calvary Bible College ● Minsky’s Pizza ● John and Allison Bruflat

American Family Insurance— Matt Hocker ● American Family Insurance — Nathan Ward

Kim Shaul, Teacher Finalist

Kim Shaul has been teaching at Eagle Glen Intermediate School since fall 2008. For

the past two years, she has taught 5th grade math; and earlier taught 5th grade

math and science.

From her nomination letter:

“Kim is kind, compassionate, and intelligent, and works hard to build positive rela-

tionships with students in the classroom and colleagues throughout the district.”

Brandon Ransom, Teacher Finalist

Brandon Ransom has been teaching in the Ray-Pec School District since 2002. He

teaches American History at Ray-Pec High School.

From his nomination letter:

“I pass his class because he always gives useful advice and tips on any major part

of our grade. His most useful piece of advice is: ‘Just do the work.’ It’s hard to ex-

plain, but he knows just how to grasp the students’ attention and make the stu-

dents enjoy the class.”

Thanks to our judges

Trish Alexander, retired Lee’s Summit principal Dan Erholtz, assistant superintendent, Harrisonville

Mary Jo LeCluyse, retired Lee’s Summit educator Jean Gelsinger, retired educator

Jennifer Milligan, Teacher Finalist

Jennifer Milligan teaches second grade at Timber Creek Elementary School. She

has been in this position for six years, and previously taught third grade for three

years at Timber Creek.


“I’m impressed with her teaching style. I’ve seen how she interacts with the chil-

dren. She has a teacher’s heart. It’s more than a job for her; it’s her passion.”

Amy Greble, Teacher Finalist

Amy Greble came to Ray-Pec as the Focus Facilitator at the Shull 6th Grade Cen-

ter. She returned to the classroom as part of a two-teacher team at Shull. She

then taught second grade for five years at Peculiar Elementary, and has been

teaching second grade the past 10 years at Stonegate Elementary.


“When she talks to a student, they have her undivided attention. She works hard

to make her classroom a welcoming place where lessons are always learned, but

from the outside looking in, it seems effortless.”

Angie LaSala, Teacher Finalist

Angie LaSala has been teaching fourth grade for 10 years in the Ray-Pec School District, and has been teaching a total of 17 years. Previously, she taught fourth grade in the Raytown School District from 2000 to 2006.


“I want Mrs. A. LaSala to be Teacher of the Year for more reasons than I can list.

One of the many reasons is that I would not know how to be spelling half of these

words that I am typing if it was not for her.”

Katie Kiger, Teacher Finalist

This is Katie’s 17th year in the District. She currently teaches second grade at

Shull Elementary. This is her second year at this grade level. Most of her teach-

ing experience (12 years) has been in first grade. She has also taught third and

fourth grades at Ray-Pec.


“She always has a positive attitude. She always helped me if I sometimes need-

ed help or did not get a thing she was saying or describing.”

Tracy Caskey, Support Staff Finalist

Tracy Caskey is the financial secretary at Peculiar Elementary School. She has been in this position for two years. Before that, she was a lunch moni-tor at Peculiar Elementary for two years.


“I love the front office at Peculiar Elementary. Makes you feel welcome, and you

know your children are safe and loved while at school. Mrs. Tracy goes above and

beyond in the mornings.”

Dan Fisher, Support Staff Finalist

Dan Fisher is the day lead custodian at Bridle Ridge Intermediate School. He has

worked for the District for 11 years, with about six years in this position.


“I believe Mr. Dan is the best candidate for Support Staff of the Year because Mr.

Dan is caring, cool, and awesome. Also, he is super nice. An example of how nice

he can be is to make people smile every day. He is kind to everyone.”

Karla Heinrich, Support Staff Finalist

Karla Heinrich is the attendance secretary at Raymore Elementary School. She has been in this position about 6 years. Before taking that position, she was a substitute teacher for about three years.


“Karla is a calm, easy-going presence to be around. She is always positive and

never seems too busy to help out. She is just a genuinely kind-hearted person who

truly loves our staff and students.”

Jeff Helzer, Support Staff Finalist

Jeff Helzer has been employed by the District for 27 ½ years. He was a night cus-todian at Peculiar Elementary and Raymore Elementary. For the past 21 years, he has been performing maintenance as an employee in the Buildings and Grounds Department.


“He knows every building inside out, upside down, because he has worked there

since 1989 when there were only four schools, Shull, The Academy, Peculiar, and

Raymore. Also, he takes care of all of the schools.”

Katie Goodin, Teacher Finalist

Katie Goodin has been teaching kindergarten at Creekmoor Elementary School

since August 2013. Before coming to Ray-Pec, Katie taught kindergarten from

1999 to 2013 at Center Elementary in Kansas City.


“I am so pleased and amazed how Mrs. Goodin is able to not only teach the cur-

riculum, but teach so many other things that kids need, such as how to get along

with others and have friends and just those basic social skills.”

Tricia Elmore, Teacher Finalist

Tricia Elmore is a kindergarten teacher at Timber Creek Elementary School. She has taught 11 years in the Ray-Pec School District, all in that position.


“Tricia has been so patient and creative with the education of our daughter. As first-

time parents, we are new to this whole experience, and Mrs. Elmore has been help-

ful to let us know what is expected. I watched a video of her mental math process. It

was great to see her get the kids to think outside the box and come up with the an-

Dan Garrison, Teacher Finalist

Dan Garrison has taught in the Ray-Pec School District for 18 years. This is his first year to teach 8th grade social studies. Previously, he taught at the intermediate and elementary school levels in the District.


“He had a fun side and a serious side—I, myself, liked his fun side. Mr. Garrison

changed my life and gave me better reading skills, self esteem, and made me a

better person overall.”

Tracy Elliott, Teacher Finalist

Tracy Elliott teaches Special Education life skills for seventh and eighth graders at

Ray-Pec East Middle School. This is her third year in that position, and her 13th

year in the Ray-Pec School District.


“I really liked going to her class because it was so much fun, and that is where I

met some of my best friends. She was very nice to me, even when I said some not

smart things. That is why she was my favorite teacher.”

Penny Wilson, Support Staff Finalist

Penny Wilson is the financial secretary at Creekmoor Elementary School. She has

been in this position for 10 years, and has worked at Ray-Pec for 12 ½ years. The

first 2 ½ years with the District, she was a paraprofessional.


“Penny is the epitome of efficiency. She locates subs at a moment’s notice, orders

supplies the day we ask for them, and is responsive and thorough with any re-

quest we make.”

Konni Noyes, Support Staff Finalist

Konni Noyes is the lead custodian at Raymore Elementary School. This is her second year in that position. She started working for Ray-Pec in 2006 as a sub and then as the night lead custodian for six years at Timber Creek Elementary.

From her nomination letters:

“She’s not just our lead custodian. She truly does whatever it takes to help a

child or adult be successful.”

“She truly cares about every person who walks through our school doors.”

Linda Portman, Support Staff Finalist

Linda Portman is the data manager for the Technology Department. This is her 20th year in this position, and her 22nd year working in the District.


“Her expertise in Tyler SIS is amazing to say the least. I have never asked her a ques-

tion in that program that she could not answer. Linda goes above and beyond in

helping people, and takes that extra step in all that she does. She is very thorough in

her job.”

Cheryl Tipton, Support Staff Finalist

Cheryl Tipton is the bookkeeper for the Finance Department. She has worked for the District for 23 years. She started as an accounts payable clerk and was pro-moted to the bookkeeper position about 10 years ago.


“With 23 years’ experience, the ability to take on multiple challenges is expected.

However, she takes things on not simply because they need to be done, but be-

cause she takes great pride in her role of supporting the education of children.”

Kristy Warren, Support Staff Finalist

Kristy Warren is the focus facilitator at Raymore Elementary School. She has been in this position since October 2012, when she came to work for the District.


“Kristy has a natural talent connecting with students. She appreciates everything

about each student and finds positive strengths in each one and builds upon

those strengths.”

raymore-peculiar teacher of the year and

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