Adam Riediger, a PE teacher at Loess Hills Computer Programming Elementary School
"Kids love going to PE and learning new athletic skills. Mr. Riediger utilizes amazing equipment and makes fun games that teach physical education in a neat way. Kids don’t come out of PE complaining about losing or fighting. They come out after a fun game celebrating each other or talking about strategy, always with a smile on their face. The introduction of 'Home Base”' spots is also a great idea to get kids into the gym in an organized and structured way, ready for attendance and listening. Thank you, Mr. Riediger, for all you do!! We are grateful to have you at Loess Hills!"
April Murphy, an ECSE teacher in the Sioux City Community School District Preschool Program
"April has been recognized for her positive spirit and supportive nature. She always looks for the light in any situation. April has been a supportive team member to the staff in her building. She will assist other staff without hesitation. It is evident that April has established a positive classroom culture as the students in her room have great relationships with one another and are always happy to be at school."
Zoey Boisen, an Instructional Assistant at North Middle School
" Zoey has shown outstanding dedication and a positive impact every day. As a para, she consistently goes above and beyond to support her sixth-grade students, helping them grow academically and socially. She builds strong, meaningful relationships with both students and staff, creating a welcoming and supportive environment throughout the building. Zoey’s hard work, compassion, and commitment make her truly deserving of this recognition."
Kurt Bremer, a teacher and coach at East High School
"Mr. Bremer longstanding commitment to our school community is evident in everything he does. Mr. Bremer consistently models reliability, professionalism, and genuine care. His passion for serving the youth of today is one of his greatest strengths. Mr. Bremer is a powerful example of what it means to be honorable and is an outstanding teacher, and is kind, compassionate and optimistic in his approach. Congratulations Kurt!"
Bryce Brewer, a night-shift building service technician at Leeds Elementary School
"Bryce is one of those people who quietly makes a huge impact every single day. He’s dependable, hardworking, and truly cares about keeping our building safe and running smoothly for our students and staff.
Any time something needs attention, Bryce is there, no questions asked. He regularly steps outside of his normal responsibilities to help wherever he’s needed, and he never hesitates to jump in. A perfect example happened during the recent snowfall: Bryce came to school on a Sunday evening to clear our parking lots and sidewalks so everything would be ready and safe for Monday morning. His initiative and pride in his work made such a difference for our whole school.
On top of all that, Bryce is just a genuinely kind and positive person to be around. He treats everyone with respect and is always willing to lend a hand. He has quickly become an essential part of our team at Leeds, and we are so grateful for him.
For his reliability, his willingness to go above and beyond, and the care he shows our school community every day, we are proud to recognize Bryce Brewer for Leeds Elementary Staff Member of the Month for the month of December!"
Melissa Ortiz, a Third-grade Teacher at Hunt A+ Arts Elementary School
"Mrs. Ortiz is a fun and engaging teacher who consistently strives to provide meaningful, enjoyable activities that help her students develop a love for learning. She works diligently to ensure that every student in her classroom is supported and able to learn. Mrs. Ortiz builds positive, meaningful relationships with her students so they feel welcomed, comfortable, and confident in the classroom. She incorporates fun and interactive class rewards that motivate students to stay focused and work hard throughout the school day. Mrs. Ortiz is also a strong team leader for our third-grade team. Our school is truly fortunate to have such a kind, dedicated, and committed teacher like Mrs. Ortiz."
Martez Van Buren, an MTSS Coordinator at West High School
A colleague said the following about Mr. Van Buren, "He always addresses students by name and will often greet them in the hallway while on hall duty. He constantly encourages students to focus and do their best to earn another credit." Another colleague said, "He is a calm support for students and staff, and he is reliable and professional." Congratulations, Mr. Van Buren!
Jeanne Mehrer, a Management Information Systems coordinator at the Educational Service Center
A district principal said the following: "Jeanne is always willing to help and guide us through the scheduling process. She is patient and understanding when teaching us new scheduling processes and willing to reteach us when needed. Jeanne is proactive and sees problems that may occur, resolving them before they become bigger issues. She is a great asset to all the schools when it comes to planning, scheduling, processes, problem solving, course development, and scheduling."
Wendy Bryce, an Education Pathway Teacher at the Sioux City Career Academy
"Mrs. Bryce pours her heart and soul into her passion for educating the next generation of teachers. Her classroom is fun, exciting, and SAFE for all students. She genuinely cares about the well being of her children and follows them after graduation, creating life long relationships. Wendy stretches learning and learners to maximize their potential. She is a leader amongst the staff at the Career Academy, advocating for children and her fellow colleagues. We are thrilled to showcase Mrs. Bryce this holiday season!"
Mackenzie Schmitz, a fifth-grade teacher at Morningside STEM Elementary School
"Mrs. Schmitz has put in so much additional work to support the learners in her classroom. From day one, she was inquiring about student needs and requesting assistance to best support her students. Mrs. Schmitz is always willing to expand her abilities by collaborating and even creating materials for students. She has truly shown her passion for students to succeed by going above and beyond for all of them."
Denise Jensen, a second -grade teacher at Riverside Elementary School
"Denise created magic on 6-7 Day, bringing energy, creativity, and excitement that made the day unforgettable for students. Beyond special events, Denise takes on new challenges head-on with a positive attitude and a willingness to grow. As the leader of our Kindness Club, she models compassion and inspires students to make a difference every day. Denise continues to show up for others, always offering help and support wherever it’s needed. We are incredibly grateful for her heart, dedication, and the kindness she brings to Riverside."
Aylin Garcia, an ESL Tutor at Bryant Elementary School
"Aylin goes above and beyond on a daily basis to help make an impact in students' lives at Bryant. She creates strong relationships with our Bears in order to help them to believe in themselves and reach their fullest potential. Beyond that, Aylin will step up and fill needed supports for her colleagues without hesitation. She will cover duties when others are sick, help support family events, and give an extra hand to rooms whenever she is asked to do so. All that help, along with her endless smile, makes Aylin a treasured staff member in our Bryant Bear family. Thank you Aylin!"
Katelyn Andersen, a business and marketing teacher at East Middle School
A grateful colleague said the following: "I would like to nominate Katie Andersen as staff member of the month. She is someone who consistently goes above and beyond in everything she does. No matter the task, big or small she is always willing to jump in and help wherever she is needed. Her dedication, kindness, and positive attitude makes a noticeable difference every single day. She supports her colleagues by stepping in for last minute needs and lending a hand to ensure things run smoothly."
Wendy Johnson, a fourth-grade teacher at Spalding Park Environmental Sciences Elementary School
"Wendy is a great team leader. She is always looking at data for ways to improve our instruction. The kid's success is her number one goal. She keeps her team informed of all the important information relayed through the Building Leadership Team and other trainings she attends. She keeps us all running smoothly in fourth grade. Congratulations, Wendy!"
Ryan Prather, a FACS teacher at West Middle School
"Mr. Prather’s interactive supervision stands out across the building. He is consistently present, attentive, and proactive—building genuine relationships with students and ensuring they feel seen and supported. Whether in the hallway, cafeteria, or classroom, his steady presence helps create a welcoming and structured environment for all learners. Mr. Prather continually finds ways to make lessons meaningful and fun—helping students gain confidence, learn real world skills, and take pride in their accomplishments. Above all, Mr. Prather is a positive force at West Middle School. His supportive nature, teamwork, and commitment to students help make our school a better place!'
Jerry Walker, a bus driver in the Transportation Department
"Jerry is a great team player. He is always willing to help out where he can, especially by picking up extra routes when extra help is needed in the mornings. When dispatch needs a bus to pick up kids, he is one of the first to volunteer to help. Jerry consistently supports fellow drivers by offering assistance and practical wisdom. Thank you for all you do, Jerry!"
Jill Palmiotti, a Kindergarten Teacher at Nodland Elementary School
"Mrs. Palmiotti consistently takes on new challenges in her classroom with a positive and enthusiastic attitude. She is fun to work with and easygoing, which makes her a wonderful colleague and a joy to collaborate with. Jill brings great ideas to the table and generously shares them with others, strengthening our team as a whole. Her dedication, creativity, and compassion make her highly deserving of the our Staff Member of the Month."
Toni Ray Christensen, an AEA Strategist at Liberty Elementary School
Toni Ray Christensen works with administration and teachers to support students who are struggling academically. With many statewide changes in our partnership, Toni has remained committed to what is best for students. She is organized, caring and willing to do what is needed to get additional supports in place for our students. With a seemingly unending checklist of things to do, she remains organized and dedicated to getting what our students need. We are so grateful to have Toni Ray at Liberty “Making it Happen!"