Performance Zone 12
January 2015 Spotlights
Marion B. Earl Elementary School
All Marion Earl students are going to college if it is up to counselor Mrs. Lisa Ajemian. Even Earl Bones! In partnership with Nevada College Kick Start Savings Program, Mrs. Ajemian counsels all 150 kindergarten students on how to save money for college, and she signs them up for a $50 account and a college t-shirt. Studies show that a child is 7x more likely to attend college if he/she knows a college savings account has been established in their name. The studies found that a savings account sends a strong message to a child: “You are a college saver. You are college-bound.” Mrs. Ajemian does year-round lessons for all grade levels about being prepared for college academically and financially. As one of the co-advisers for National Elementary Honor Society, she instills a college atmosphere among the members of NEHS by putting up bulletin boards and promoting monthly college day celebrations.
Mrs. Ajemian has called Marion Earl ES her home for 19 years. She is the guiding light for families in need and for students who just need a helping hand. Not only does she insist that all students can learn and all students are college-bound, she also preaches for all people to “Use your words,” and to “Be kind.” She works with the Broadcast Club and assists several students with the daily live broadcast which promotes positive lessons and important information each day. On a monthly basis, she hosts a Student of the Month Luncheon, and on a weekly basis, she hosts an Eagle Chip Day when students who have earned enough chips may come shopping in her Eagle Chip Store. She works with community partners to get items for this incentive program. In addition to promoting good behavior, she also heads up the Attendance Incentive Committee.
One can find her digging deep into her own pockets to assure a family eats a holiday meal together, or that children have essentials like pajamas and shoes! Her wisdom, kindness, and beauty are beacons of light for all!
Lisa
Ajemian
Durango High School
Carolynn Manning is at the top of the charts as a person and as an educator. She serves in the special education department at Durango High School as the MCS-DD specialized program teacher. In this role, she is absolutely amazing. Ms. Manning has a strong work ethic, an unbelievable level of care and consideration, and a desire to bring out the very best in all of her students daily. Her expertize, dedication, and individualized love for each of her students is manifested in numerous ways. Simply put – she is amazing!!! Ms. Manning is commended for her dedication, hard work, and success. The students, parents, teachers, administration, and Blazer community are truly fortunate to have Carolynn Manning as a member of the Durango High School team.
Carolynn
Manning
Frank Kim Elementary School
Frank Kim Elementary School is proud to recognize one of our outstanding teachers, Ms. Kathy Reitz. Ms. Reitz has built and maintains a warm friendly learning environment for her students as well as the teachers at our school. She is the first grade chair and eagerly assists other teachers throughout our school with mentoring and teaching strategies. She is a model teacher for the Literacy Performance Framework for PZ 12 and shares the knowledge and experience with the entire school as evidenced by her presentation on Staff Development Day. Her students thrive in the positive, inclusive and challenging environment she has created for them. Ms. Reitz is an outstanding example for everyone at Kim Elementary School. Thank you, Ms. Reitz, for all your hard work, inspiration, and dedication to our students and staff.
Kathy
Reitz
Victoria Fertitta Middle School
Victoria Fertitta Middle School is proud to recognize an exceptional teacher, Mr. Bradley Shaffer-Ortiz. Mr. Shaffer teaches 8th grade Geography at Fertitta. He dedicates countless hours to support all students at Fertitta and has taken the lead and created two new after school clubs at our school, The Drama Club and The Travel Club. The Drama club will be be having a spring performance of Mulan Jr. at Durango High School in May. Furthermore, he works diligently to build positive relationships with students and helps them to become leaders on our campus. Mr. Shaffer plans lessons that captivate the interest of his students through hands-on, technology enriched lessons. He effectively demonstrates and shares his passion for teaching on a daily basis. Mr. Shaffer’s classroom is one filled with active, lively, students who are excited to learn about geography. Mr. Shaffer coordinated a salsa cultural experience for all of the 8th graders at our school. Mr. Shaffer was selected to travel to Atlanta for professional development with a cadre of teachers and administrators in February 2015. Thank you, Mr. Shaffer for your amazing contributions to student achievement!
Bradley
Shaffer-Ortiz
Judy and John L. Goolsby Elementary School
Goolsby Elementary School is proud to recognize an exceptional special education teacher, Ms. Kennedy. Ms. Kennedy works tirelessly every day to provide a warm and engaging classroom environment that fosters academic and social growth, as well as an excitement for learning. In addition, Ms. Kennedy contributes an enormous amount of expertise outside of the classroom. She assists and mentors fellow teachers, spends countless hours supporting the special education department, and plays an integral role on many committees. Ms. Kennedy has been a rock for our Special Education team over the past months as we worked to fill a number of vacancies in our Special Education Department. Ms. Kennedy devoted numerous hours to ensure that all our students’ needs were met by juggling schedules, guest teachers and many IEP’s. Now that our staffing is completed, Ms. Kennedy has taken on the role of teacher and mentor for these new staff members. Ms. Kennedy is such a vital part of our Goolsby community, and we are so proud to call her a Goolsby Greyhound!
Karen
Kennedy
Helen M. Jydstup Elementary School
Helen M. Jydstrup Elementary School is proud to recognize an amazing special education teacher, Ms. Zeilman. Ms. Zeilman strives every day to provide her students with all that they need to be successful, academically and socially. She collaborates daily with teachers in all grade levels to support and offer assistance in all areas. Ms. Zeilman builds and maintains strong relationships with all of the students at Jydstrup. Ms. Zeilman says “becoming a teacher has given me two wonderful gifts: the privilege of teaching and a lifetime of learning.” She is an invaluable member of the Jydstrup family. We are so proud to call her a Jydstrup Jaguar.
Jessica Zeilman
Keith C. and Karen W. Hayes Elementary School
Janelle Obilor is the Art teacher at Hayes Elementary School. She embodies the Hayes Hero persona as she consistently volunteers to help the staff, students, and community improve academically and socially through her guidance. Artwork of the students, as well as her own creations, illuminate the halls in support of school functions from plays, musicals, attendance challenges, yearbook, and student council elections. We would like to thank Mrs. Obilor for her enthusiasm, dedication for making Hayes a better place for all, and an contagious smile, which is a welcome sight on our campus.
Thank you for being a Hayes Hero!
Janelle
Obilor
Kenny C. Guinn Middle School
Kenny C. Guinn Middle School is proud to recognize one of our outstanding teachers, Ms. Jessica Wolfenden. Ms. Wolfenden teaches sixth and seventh grade reading at Guinn. She maintains an exceptional learning environment and encourages all students to do their best. Additionally, Ms. Wolfenden strives to provide her students with a rigorous, advanced curriculum and a high level of student engagement. Ms. Wolfenden is also a mentor and a role model who is very well respected by her fellow teachers and colleagues. Thank you Ms. Wolfenden for your knowledge, passion, and wisdom that you provide for students, staff and parents on a daily basis.
