Kylie Gilmore, a Food Service Office Manager at Central Kitchen.
"Kylie handles the many staffing challenges calling subs to fill in for members who are out for the day. She is very pleasant, professional, and always greets you with a smile. She will always go the extra mile to get things done. Congratulations Kylie, keep up the great work!"
Robert Gottburg, a Resource Teacher at Hunt A+ Arts Elementary School.
"Mr. Gottburg has been an invaluable asset to Hunt. He provided strong support to our long-term substitute and played a key role in successfully transitioning new staff within his department. He has demonstrated leadership in selecting and implementing our ISASP theme, helping to build a positive and focused testing environment. Most importantly, he consistently creates a supportive and encouraging atmosphere for his students, ensuring they feel confident and capable in their learning.
His dedication to differentiated instruction has led to measurable growth in student performance, particularly among students with diverse learning needs. He uses data-driven strategies to target skill gaps, resulting in increased student engagement and improved outcomes. Additionally, his strong relationships with students foster a sense of trust and motivation, which has had a direct and positive impact on their academic achievement."
Andrea Vazquez, a Third Grade Teacher at Loess Hills Computer Programming Elementary School.
"Andrea has been an excellent addition to the third-grade team. Although she is only in her second year of teaching, she consistently goes above and beyond to create an engaging and enjoyable learning environment in her classroom. In addition to her classroom efforts, she has contributed to schoolwide initiatives, including organizing dress-up days for Dr. Seuss Week and supporting activities such as Book March Madness.
Ms. Vazquez demonstrates creativity in her instructional practices, delivering lessons in ways that actively engage her students. She is also highly collaborative, readily sharing ideas and strategies with colleagues who are interested in implementing them.
She is committed to building strong relationships with her students, ensuring they feel safe, supported, and confident in their ability to succeed. Beyond her classroom responsibilities, Ms. Vazquez contributes to the broader school community by serving on two committees—the Building Emergency Response Team (BERT) and the Social Committee—further demonstrating her dedication to making the school a positive and supportive environment."
Sam Mogensen, a Compass Academy Teacher at North Middle School.
"Mr. Mogensen consistently demonstrates patience, professionalism, and genuine care in every interaction. He builds strong, trusting relationships with students who often need extra support, and he approaches each situation with calmness and understanding.
He goes above and beyond to ensure students feel respected, heard, and supported while maintaining high expectations. His ability to de-escalate challenging situations and redirect students in a positive way makes a meaningful difference in both the classroom environment and the overall school culture.
Through his dedication, consistency, and compassion, Mr. Mogensen truly embodies what it means to support the whole child. Our students are better because of his work, and our team is stronger because of his commitment."
Carson Clayborne and the Compass Academy team (Miss Abby, Miss Jasmine, and Miss Kyleigh) at Morningside STEM Elementary School.
"The Morningside Compass Academy team serves students with such remarkable patience, consistency, and compassion. What stands out most is the intentional effort they put into building a strong foundation of respect and meaningful relationships with each student. This does not happen by chance, but through accountability, consistency, trust, and genuine care.
These relationships are evident across daily interactions. Students excitedly share their voice, pride in their work, feedback about book choices and more, knowing they will always be met with encouragement, enthusiasm, and authentic connection. That kind of joy and trust speaks volumes. It is clear that students feel seen, valued, and genuinely proud—something that is special to witness.
While much of their impact happens behind the scenes, it is truly powerful. Carson’s leadership, alongside her team, is changing lives through the relationships they build every single day. She and her team are incredibly deserving of this recognition."
Melinda Karges, Cory Paronto, Jean Guiterrez, George Davis, Luc Jensen, and Kyle Dorsey, the Night Building Service Technician Team at West High School.
"This crew sets up for events, cleans up after events, is always willing to help, takes care of the building and the grounds. We appreciate everything they do for us at West High School. Thank you for being Welcoming, Engaged, Safe, and Trustworthy!"
Mary Perez, a Building Assistant at East Middle School.
"Ms. Perez is an incredible support to everyone at East Middle School. She plays a vital role in keeping things running smoothly by managing administrative and building calendars, ensuring classrooms are covered, helping put together student of the month, and making sure substitutes have the materials they need and know where to go. She coordinates meetings for staff and families and keeps important documents organized. She also keeps families and staff informed through the monthly newsletter, sharing key information, important dates, and celebrating all the great things happening in our school.
Mary is always willing to step in wherever she’s needed—whether it’s assisting in the office, covering the nurse’s station, or supporting staff and students throughout the day. Her dedication, reliability, and positive presence make a meaningful difference in our entire school community.
We truly appreciate all that Mary does. We’re grateful to have her at EMS! She goes above and beyond every day and is so deserving of this recognition."
Cia Koop, a Third Grade Teacher at Leeds Elementary School.
"Cia is steady and reliable. Day in and day out, she approaches her work with consistency, professionalism, and a calm presence that positively influences both students and colleagues. Whether handling routine responsibilities or navigating unexpected challenges, this staff member can always be counted on to follow through with care and attention. Her dependability creates a strong foundation within the team, and her steady approach helps foster a supportive and structured environment for everyone around her.
In addition to her reliability, she is an excellent communicator who ensures that information is shared clearly and thoughtfully. She keeps colleagues informed, collaborates effectively, and builds strong relationships through her openness and willingness to listen. Her communication style helps create trust and clarity, making it easier for teams to work together and for students to feel understood and supported.
What truly sets her apart is her dedication to advocating for her students. She is proactive in recognizing when additional support is needed and does not hesitate to seek out resources or collaborate with others to ensure each student can succeed. Her commitment to doing what is best for her students demonstrates both compassion and professionalism, making her a truly deserving choice for Leeds Elementary Staff Member of the Month.
Congratulations, Mrs. Koop!"
Teresa Sutton, a MTSS Specialist at Bryant Elementary School.
"Ms. Sutton builds strong relationships with students across all grade levels. She consistently steps in to provide coverage, fulfills duties, and supports students with behavioral needs. She leads our Character Strong monthly student recognition events and plays an active role in developing building behavior intervention plans. She does all of this with a positive attitude and a genuine care for students."
Krista Benson, a Fourth Grade Teacher at Spalding Park Environmental Sciences Elementary School.
"Krista always puts in the extra time and effort to help out our team. She keeps us organized and all on the same page. Her calendars and unit plans, she shares with all of us, always discussing and planning weekly in all our extra Professional Learning Community (PLC) time. We can always count on her!"
Whitney Hellman, a Fifth Grade Teacher at Riverside Elementary School.
"Whitney truly exemplifies what it means to go above and beyond for our school community. Her leadership and creativity were on full display as she led the ISASP assembly, bringing energy and excitement to an important time of year for our students. Whitney also took the initiative to design shirts that helped build unity and school spirit, showing her commitment to creating a positive culture. Beyond these efforts, she consistently demonstrates genuine care and dedication to her students, always putting their needs first. Whitney’s positivity, leadership, and willingness to step up make her an invaluable part of our team and a well-deserving recipient of staff member of the month."
April Fuller, a Specialist in the Transportation Department.
"April has worked for the Transportation Department for over 14 years. In that time, she has never failed to volunteer to help in any capacity. She is always willing to come in early or stay late to ensure the success of the department. Her knowledge of the routing system, as well as the routes themselves, allows her to get into any bus and complete the job seamlessly."
Frank Peck, an Instructional Assistant at West Middle School.
"Mr. Frank Peck is a truly deserving Staff Member of the Month, recognized for his unwavering commitment to students, staff, and the overall success of our building.
What sets Frank apart is his remarkable ability to connect with students, especially during their most challenging moments. Students know they can rely on him—not just for guidance, but for genuine understanding and support.
Frank’s steady presence, positive attitude, and dedication to doing what’s best for students make a meaningful impact on our school community every day. His work does not go unnoticed, and we are grateful for the care and consistency he brings to our building."
Rachel Fuller, an Early Childhood Special Education Substitute Teacher at the Sioux City Community Schools Preschool Program.
"A huge shout-out to our incredible long-term sub, Rachel! She has stepped into the classroom with such grace and natural talent. From fearlessly tackling new tasks without hesitation to her unwavering dedication to every child’s unique needs, she’s been an absolute game-changer. We are so lucky to have her heart and hard work in our preschool family!"
Jen Swanson, a Teacher at East High School.
"Jen brings a positive and calm presence to EHS. She puts in the hard work and makes her students feel safe and cared for. She des a phenomenal job preparing students for the next step after high school and always brings a smile with her everyday. Jen's students adore her and her ability to connect well with everyone. They note she is a bright light at EHS. Inside the classroom, Jen is taking new classes and revolutionizing them! She finds so many ways to inspire, uplift, and remain professional. Congratulations, Jen!"
Peyton Schmith, an Office Assistant at Sunnyside Elementary School.
"Peyton was recognized for her friendly attitude and willingness to step up whenever there is a need. She brings a positive presence to our building each day, greeting students and staff with warmth and care. She goes above and beyond to fill in the gaps when colleagues are absent, ensuring that our school continues to run smoothly without missing a beat. Her flexibility and team-first mindset make a meaningful difference in our school community, and we are grateful for the dedication she shows to both students and staff."