2026 Nominees

Christopher Anderson, Teacher – Hammond Elementary

Jay Bacus, Teacher – West Salem High School

Adam Banducci, Behavior Specialist – Roberts High School

Anne Bartlett, Library Specialist – Stephens Middle School

Christopher Bartruff, Custodian – McKay High School

Elizabeth Beazizo, Librarian – West Salem High School

Doug Beisley, Teacher – Washington Elementary

Michelle Bertholf, Teacher – Hammond Elementary

Emily Bjelland, Teacher – West Salem High School

Dustin Boyd, Custodian – Stephens Middle School

Carolyn Breedlove, Special Education Teacher – Behavioral Health Center

Autumn Breitwieser – Teacher, McKay High School

Mary Beth Brooks, Teacher – St. Joseph Catholic School

Cesar Bueno, Counselor – South Salem High School

Amanda Burke, Program Associate – Student Services

Rosa Ceja-Contreras, Title 1-C Education Program Specialist – Elementary Language Acquisition

Hayden Chandler, Behavior Specialist – Yoshikai Elementary

Christi Cheever, Principal – Parrish Middle School

Sydney Chisholm, Special Program Instructional Assistant – Yoshikai Elementary

Cortney Clendening, Teacher – Kennedy Elementary

Rosio Contreras, Graduation Coach – McNary High School

T.J. Crockett, Director of Transportation – Transportation Services

Michelle Crook, Instructional Assistant – Cummings Elementary

Elizabeth Curry, Teacher – Leslie Middle School

Ann Marie Davis, Special Education Teacher – Leslie Middle School

Jessica Defrancisco, Teacher – Sumpter Elementary

John Divelbiss, Teacher – West Salem High School

Stacey Evans, Teacher – Forest Ridge Elementary

Amy Faiman, Teacher – Schirle Elementary School

Jeffrey Flores, Special Education Instructional Assistant – Leslie Middle School

Marissa Frye, Teacher – Grant Community School

Bethany Fussell, Teacher – Wright Elementary

Omar Gallardo, Registrar – Roberts Middle School

Kimberly Ganchenko, Teacher – Swegle Elementary

Melissa Garcia, Teacher – Hoover Elementary

Maria Garcia-Rodriguez, Special Program Instructional Assistant – Waldo Middle School

Yaneli Garibay, Teacher – Eyre Elementary

Jennifer Gelbrich, Teacher – West Salem High School

Juventino Gonzalez, Community Resource Specialist – Office of Student Equity, Access and Advancement

Lindsay Goodpaster, Assistant Principal – West Salem High School

Estela Gutierrez, Instructional Assistant – Chapman Hill Elementary

Efrain Guzman, Behavior Intervention Trainer – Highland Elementary

Arlee Hall, Teacher – Leslie Middle School

Joey Hansen, Instructional Support Assistant – Salem Heights Elementary

Whitney Hines, Teacher – Walker Middle School

Jason Howell, Sign Language Interpreter Specialist – Crossler Middle School

Diana Huerta-Cortez, Teacher – McNary High School

Megan Jackson, Nurse – West Salem High School

Krista Jardine, Behavior Specialist – Whiteaker Middle School

Kurt Johnson, Teacher – Washington Elementary

Carly Justino, Teacher – Miller Elementary

Lauren Keller, Teacher – Forest Ridge Elementary

Tanja Langen, Teacher – South Salem High School

Ricardo Larios, Principal – Stephens Middle School

Stephanie Lassetter, Teacher – McNary High School

Melissa Llamas Gutierrez, Office Manager – Washington Elementary

Stephanie Lugo, Special Education Teacher – North Salem High School

Marcus Luther, Teacher – McNary High School

Shane Lutton, Custodian – Highland Elementary

Kristina Martinez, Counselor – Washington Elementary

Jack Martino, Behavior Specialist – North Salem High School

Brijida Mata-Sibbett, Student Data Specialist – North Salem High School

Kayliegh Melzer, Custodian – Whiteaker

Socorro Mendez, Recruiter – Elementary Language Acquisition

Taylor Messerle, Teacher – Western Christian School

Melissa Mikesh, Teacher – Forest Ridge Elementary

Jessica Miller, Teacher – North Salem High School

Seth Mills, General Carpenter – Maintenance

Esmerelda Miranda-Carmona, Special Programs Instructional Assistant – Leslie Middle School

Sonia Mora, Instructional Support Assistant – Leslie Middle School

Marc Morris, Principal – Sumpter Elementary

Toni Nanneman, Development Director – Blanchet Catholic School

Christina Nash, Instructional Assistant – Swegle Elementary

Billy Niebla, Student Advocate – Instructional Services

Dakota Nimmo, Instructional Support Assistant – Claggett Creek Middle School

Stephanie Nguyen, Program Associate – Instructional Services

Danny Ortiz, Teacher – North Salem High School

Sarah Pazina, Speech Language Pathologist – Battle Creek Elementary

Cecilia Perez, Office Manager – Leslie Middle School

Jodi Peterson, Health Services Coordinator – Student Services

Kaitlyn Pierson, Special Education Instructional Assistant – Leslie Middle School

Ana Ramirez, Teacher – Walker Middle School

Aimee Rea, Program Associate – Instructional Services

Shirley Richardson, Assistant Principal – Stephens Middle School

Anna Robinson, Teacher – Lee Elementary

Serianna Rosberg, Teacher – Morningside and Salem Heights Elementary

Bonnie Rosenthal, Behavior Specialist – Cummings Elementary

Stacy Ryan, Teacher – Liberty Elementary

Leticia Salas, Office Manager – Hoover Elementary

Bryan Sallee, Instructional Support Assistant – Washington Elementary

Nancy Serrano, Graduation Coach – McNary High School

Jeanenne Shaffner, Teacher – Englewood Elementary

Shauna Simeral, Teacher – Salem Academy Christian School

Joshua Singleton, Campus Safety Specialist – West Salem High School

Kristy Smith, School Office Specialist – Salem Heights Elementary

Brandon Southward, Graduation Coach – Sprague High School

Alicia Sparks, Teacher – Western Christian School

Michiel Spence-Majors, Risk Management Manager – Safety and Risk Management Services

Jamie Stanley, Teacher – Hammond Elementary

Lesa Stewart, Special Programs Instructional Assistant – North Salem High School

Jacquelyn Svejkovsky, Student Data Specialist – West Salem High School

Christopher Trammell, Teacher – Sprague High School

Jennifer Tweed, Instructional Assistant – Candalaria Elementary

Josh Vanlue, Special Education Teacher – South Salem High School

Krista Vanslyke, Accounting Clerk – McNary High School

Joshua Varon, Teacher – Leslie Middle School

Whitney Vue, Teacher – Gubser Elementary

Emily Wynings, Teacher – Highland Elementary

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Past Winners

2025

Jaimie Murphy, Teacher – McNary High School

Linda Beardsley, Instructional Mentor – Stephens Middle School

Robert Hunter, Teacher – Crossler Middle School

Bryndle Jarvis, Teacher – Western Christian School

Joshua Kuor, Teacher – Auburn Elementary

Kayly Muniz, Teacher – Highland Elementary

Yenisei Perez-Tovar, School Office Specialist – Lamb Elementary

Lilia Reyes, Testing Coordinator – McKay High School

Martha Specht, Teacher – Washington Elementary

Brittany Stanley, School Office Specialist – Schirle Elementary

Michael Weis, Teacher – West Salem High School

Jennifer D. Wilson, Instructional Support Assistant – Parrish Middle School

2024

Amanda Starkey, Teacher – North Salem High School

Christopher Feskens, Teacher – McKay High School

Gabriela Acevedo-Solis, Teacher – Waldo Middle School

Keelana Meyer, CTE Liaison – South Salem High School

Ken Ramirez, Security Field Coordinator – Safety and Risk Management Services

Kellie Menghini, Teacher – McKay High School

Lisa Olson, Library Media Instructional Assistant – Chapman Hill Elementary

Luis Oliva Barrientos, Bilingual Special Education Instructional Assistant – Chavez Elementary School

Max Price, Teacher – South Salem High School

Pat Ozenna-Lemay, Teacher – Cummings Elementary

Rubi Hovenden, Program Associate – Curriculum and Instruction

Shayla Brown, Counselor – Blanchet Catholic School

2023

Sarah Keck, Teacher at South Salem High School

Harry Ahn, Teacher at Blanchet Catholic School

Micheal Cape, Transportation Field Coordinator, Salem-Keizer Public Schools

Michael Daniels, Technology Support Specialist, Salem-Keizer Public Schools

Sheila Gebhardt, Administrative Specialist, Salem-Keizer Public Schools

Denny McCarthy, Principal at Straub Middle School

Carl Mucken, Principal at Queen of Peace Catholic School

Hortencia Navarrete, Bilingual Instructional Assistant at Bush Elementary School

Jeremy Parker, Teacher at Auburn Elementary School

Jacqueline Pope Brothers, Teacher at Sprague High School

Dennise Pozos Gonzalez, Teacher at West Salem High School

Denise Proudfoot, Nurse at South Salem High School

Maricela Ruiz Herrera, Bilingual Instructional Assistant at Douglas McKay High School

Megan Spickerman, Instructional Support Assistant at Chapman Hill Elementary School

Gabriella Steinlicht, Bilingual Instructional Assistant at Kennedy Elementary School

2019

Taya Woodwall, School Office Specialist at South Salem High School

Jason Erickson, Music Teacher at Clear Lake Elementary School

Shauna DeVos, Office Manager at Jane Goodall Environmental Middle School (JGEMS)

Yuriana Coronado, Community School Outreach Coordinator at Auburn Elementary School

John Scott, Teacher at Parrish Middle School

Joana Guevara Cruz, Teacher/English Language Facilitator at Hallman Elementary School

Terry Woods, School Bus Driver at Roberts High School/Teen Parent Program

David Fender, Coordinator at the Office of Behavioral Learning

Kelly Greer, Counselor at Leslie Middle School

Donna Duval, Social Studies/English Teacher at CTEC

Larkin Smith Foley, English Teacher/AVID Coordinator at McKay High School

Laura Hofer, Culinary Arts Teacher at South Salem High School

2018

Barb Bamford, Salem-Keizer Public Schools AVID Coordinator

Jacqueline Benavides, Community School Outreach Coordinator, North Salem High School

Alyssa Darnell, Teacher, Mathematics, Special Programs, World Languages, Parrish Middle School

Phil Decker, Principal, Four Corners Elementary School

Brad Dixon, Teacher, Social Studies, AVID

Laura Hoagland, Bilingual Instructional Assistant, Kennedy Elementary School

Katrina Hull, Teacher, Mathematics and Engineering, McKay High School

Lee King, Lead Custodian, Walker Middle School

Chris Lieder, Registrar, Blanche Catholic High School

Lisa McIntyre, Assistant Principal, Roberts High School

Mike Melting, Teacher, Automotive, McNary High School

Beth Tinseth, Bilingual Teacher, Myers Elementary School

2017

Sara Casebeer

Sarah Ferguson-Manon

JoyAnna Forsythe

Louis Tiller, Tana Garcia

Allison Silbernagel

Patrick Doody

Sally Tsukamaki

Stacey Morgan

Keith Broyles

Sean Farmer

Sheila Morales

2016

Aimee Leaton

Eric Bradfield

Jolie Gilman

Kim Siegrist

Michelle Mills

Joseph Dull

Marianne Silvestre

Dinah Walsh

Tricia Nelson

Jason Kline

Monique Aguilar-Weaver

Christina Pierce

Leslie Van Meter

2015

David DeRoest

Amy Divelbiss

Katie Gilmour

Christina Gragg

Rebecca Hollen

Linda Kitchin

Holly Ruston

Terra Shiffer

Jennifer Walloch

Kevin Wise

2014

Tiffany Carstensen

John Dixon

Noelia Flux

Melissa Frank

Jenny Gelbrich

Teresa Grindy

Allison Harris

Tricia Langerud

Jason Niedermeyer

Angelina Ochoa

Justin Pierce

Shannie Rediger

2013

Teresa Maciel

Deleah Salstrom

Heidi Tavares

Todd Wieweck

Jessica Morgan

Kim Cummings

David Baumer

Denisha Blondin

Ed John

Dottie Knecht

Jessica Sydow

Nancy Ingerson

2012

Joel Cowley

Maureen Foelkl

Wally Wing

Katie Young

Ronnie Brooks

Becky Crooke

Michele Husseman

Annie Burlison

Tracey Sherwood

Trycia Smith

Ryan Somerville

Maria Guadelupe Swenson

2011

Yadira Juarez

Lisa Shreeve

Bruce Lathers

Mary Heintzman

Chris Moore

Anita Maurer

Charlie Marshall

Carol Lindquist

Laura Estes

Rhonda Herbert

2010

Shannon Bateman

Don Berger

Dana Costa

Ryan Hari

Mike Lampert

John Mandeville

John Mangan

Michele Nowlin

Jody Orcutt

Lara Tiffin

Frances Woitte

Cheryl Yoder

2009

Stacie Creighton

Brian Eriksen

Adria Farina-Miller

Melinda Freshour

Brenda Hauswirth

Lee Horton

Mary Kruger

Scott May

Julie Nordlien

Janice Olinger

Mary Paulson

Christina Tracy

2008

Paula Hassenstab

Kathleen Hill

Josh Scott

Eileen Taylor

Matt Faatz

Lorelei Gilmore

Michael Ross

Laura Daniel

Andy Sheldon

Les Charles

Bonnie Gallagher

Christine Haskell

2007

Carlotta Arnold

Jean Craig

Karl Raschkes

Jim Lorenz

Michelle Ross

Nancy Fischer

Pattie Sloan

Rhonda Hansen

Rich Swartzentruber

Sarah Whitney

Steve Sanchez

2006

Dan Bliss

Sheri Bond

Olga Gloria

Karen Hannegan

James Henry

Christi McAfee

Jon Penhollow

Sue Speckman

Linda St. Pierre

Jeanette Teta

John Van Dreal

Danielle Wise

2005

Gayle Carrier

Debbie Comstock

Jennifer Edwards

Pat Henson

Ryan Kinnett

Sue Luft

Diane Miller

Rachel Stucky

Victoria Voronko

Pam Weisser

Jennie Williams

2004

Matthe Biondi

Alan De Meurers

Colleen Johnson

Wade Martin

Katie Nelson

Steve Norris

Gordon Ogo

Michael Reinbold

Tyler Scialo

Brian Sund

Terry Tucker

Pam Warren

Kathy Westcott

Autumn Zetlmaier

2003

Laurie Aguirre

Mark Atkinson

Elizabeth Callahan

Chuck Chamberlain

Barbara Fontana

Megan Trow Garcia

Davie Guile

Daniel Kenneth Jamsa

Lynda Kronenberg

Pam Medzegian

Rhonda Priollaud

Mindy Rodin

Cathy Tilley

Roxanne Warren

2002

Wayne Beckwith

Margo Bellock

John bohlander

Donna Bosco

Deana Dean

Pat Edelbrock

Maraline Ellis

Dan Gordon

Teri Johnston

Judy Lynch

Carol Proudfit

Mark Timmons

Darrell Trussell

Joyce Yoder

2001

Susan Adams

Sue Baisden

Bob Barnes

Lori Beck

Ken Collins

Shirley Giesbrecht

Patti Hoffert

Lisa Hughes

Cathy Jones

Barbara McKinley

Jim Saffeels

Mary Jean Sandall

Julie Speck

Carol Tower

Julie Wells

2000

Ron Baker

Laurie Baird

Cheryl Borden

Doris Brown

Lynn Freshour

Ken Hansen

Geri Johnson

Gloria Martin

Stephanie Miller

Mike Weddle

1999

Mark Anderson

Linda Baker

Gay Behnke

David Beranek

Debbie Donaldson

Tanya Grape

Robert Hamilton

Don Kirkwood

Mike Kolb

Patti O’Neil

Sati Sil

Berniece Thornton

1998

Elizabeth Alexander

Jane Berry-Eddings

Cheryl Bower

Vye Carlile

Pam Casteel

Ella-Marie Christensen

Grant Foster

Kathy Haney

Carol Kilfoil

Dixie Montgomery

Dwight Morse

Nancy Ward

Malia West

1997

Sandy Bauer

Gladys Camber

Jeaneen Gann

Chuck Graber

Jan Hansen

Tom Hewitt

Tim Jaskoski

Kathy Martell

Rey Mayoral

Patti O’Rielly

Tom Patterson

Kathy Sansone