Category: Awards

High accolades for speech, language, and hearing contributions

High accolades for three KPBSD employees who receive praise and recognition during the Alaska Speech–Language-Hearing Association (AKSHA) conference, October 16-17, 2015, in Anchorage, Alaska!

“The speech-language pathologists working in the KPBSD are incredible,” said Clayton Holland, director of pupil services. “It is wonderful that Cynthia Detrow, Judy Gonsalves, and Amy Hogue were recognized for their outstanding contribution to their profession in Alaska. They each bring so much to the table in the terms of expertise, hard work, collaboration, and service to students. I consider it an honor to work with them individually and with the entire group of speech and language pathologists in our district.”

KPBSD October 2015 AK Speech award (1)
Judy Gonsalves, Cynthia Detrow, and Amy Hogue receive high accolades for contributions that make a difference!

Judy Gonsalves, West Homer Elementary
AKSHA Sourdough: Long-Term Dedication and Outstanding Contributions in Speech Language Pathology and, or Audiology—Judy Gonsalves

This award recognizes an Audiologist and, or SLP who demonstrates long-term dedication to issues in the state, advocacy, leadership, or outstanding clinical practice.
Judy Gonsalves is the Speech-Language Pathologist for grades third through sixth at West Homer Elementary School and has been for the past 12 years. Ms. Gonsalves began 30 years ago as an itinerant SLP in Bristol Bay, flying out to 11 different villages to give services to Alaskan students. Recalling her experience, she said, “I always packed an apple, granola bars and a book for when I got weathered in, and worked hard to keep the audiometer warm in the bush planes on cold winter days!” After filling in for an SLP on maternity leave, she found herself in need of a job and returned to school for her Type A certification, then taught third grade for 15 years. Keeping up her Type C certification, she was able to apply for her current SLP position in Homer. Besides working in the school, she is also active in the community through the Homer Council on the Arts, Homer Friends of the Library, and the KBBI public radio station.

Cynthia Detrow
Red Lantern: Outstanding Contributions in Rural Alaska by an Audiologist and, or a SLP—Cynthia Detrow (Kenai Peninsula Borough School District)

This award recognizes the unique challenges many AKSHA members work under to provide services to those in our rural areas.
Cynthia Detrow took the initiative to pursue providing a distance delivery speech program to the remote sites in the Kenai Peninsula Borough School District. “By providing telespeech services from another location in the district, Ms. Detrow is able to offer more consistent, efficient, and effective services to students living in hard-to-reach rural areas of the district,” noted Clayton Holland, Director of Pupil Services with KPBSD. “We no longer need to worry about the weather preventing the delivery of services to students.” Cindy, also, travels to the peninsula’s village schools on a rotating basis to provide on-site assessment, collaboration with school staff and parents, and direct services to students. Cindy’s blended approach of distance delivery combined with on-site work has led to therapy that is mutually beneficial to all involved, creating cost benefits for the district while also maximizing the effectiveness of services. Cindy’s work has also inspired other district specialists to use distance technology to provide services, attend meetings when otherwise weathered-out, and link students in remotes sites with students in other locations in the district for educational purposes.  Detrow highly deserves recognition with AkSHA’s Red Lantern Award for her outstanding contribution to speech-language service delivery in rural Alaska.

Amy Hogue, President’s Award

Amy Russell, president of the Alaska Speech-Language Hearing Association, selected Amy Hogue for her President’s Award. She said the following: “Amy has made many contributions to our association. Many therapists in the Kenai area have joined our association at the encouragement of Amy. She has also been a great AKSHA ambassador to her employers at the Kenai Peninsula Borough School District. Amy has served on our ASKHA board for many years. Currently, she is our Communication Chair and has been for almost four years. She has been a key contributor to our current website and has become our Wild Apricot specialist, as we navigate and figure out all that the company has to offer our association’s website. If you ask her to do something, it’s done without a second reminder and done quicker than you even thought possible. If you’ve ever received an email from AKSHA, Amy was probably the one who hit the ‘send’ button.”
Links

#GoldenStory
KPBSD October 2015 AK Speech award (2)

News Release: National Blue Ribbon for Kaleidoscope School of Arts and Science

Kenai Peninsula Borough School District News ReleaseBlue Ribbon logo
Contact: Pegge Erkeneff, 907.714.8888
Soldotna, September 30, 2015—U.S. Secretary of Education Arne Duncan recognized Kaleidoscope School of Arts and Science [Kenai, Alaska] as a 2015 National Blue Ribbon School. Based on overall academic excellence or their progress in closing achievement gaps among student subgroups for making progress, 335 schools are honored as a 2015 National Blue Ribbon School.
One of the 15 charter schools recognized nationally, and one of three schools in Alaska to receive this distinguished honor in 2015, Kaleidoscope School of Arts and Science in Kenai, Alaska, joins nine other schools in the Kenai Peninsula Borough School District (KPBSD) to achieve the National Blue Ribbon School excellence designation.
“This honor recognizes your students’ accomplishments and the hard work and dedication that went into their success,” Duncan said in a video message to the awardees. “Your journey has taught you collaboration, intentional instruction, and strong relationships in school and with your community. You represent excellence—in vision, in implementation, and in results—and we want to learn as much as we can from you.”
COVER 1 Kalideoscope School of Arts and Science“I’m honored our school has been recognized,” said Robin Dahlman, principal. “This is a reflection of a vision shared by dedicated teachers, staff, students, families and community members to personalize integrated learning for all students. We look forward to continuing to provide excellence in all we pursue with children’s learning and development.”
“We are very proud of Kaleidoscope and what they are doing for students in our district,” said Sean Dusek, superintendent. “The staff, students and parents should be commended for all of their hard work to make this school such a wonderful place for kids. Congratulations and keep up the great effort!”
The U.S. Department of Education will honor all 285 public and 50 private schools at a recognition ceremony on November 9-10, 2015, at the Omni Shoreham Hotel in Washington, D.C. Each school will receive an award plaque and a flag as symbols of their accomplishments. In its 33-year history, more than 8,000 of America’s schools have received the coveted National Blue Ribbon Schools award.

COVER 2 BLUE RIBBON BULLETIN BOARD
Students arrive at school on September 30, 2015, and discover the U.S. Department of Education is recognizing their accomplishments and the hard work and dedication that goes into their success!

Kaleidoscope School of Arts and Science is one of four charter schools in the KPBSD. With forty-three diverse public schools spanning 25,600 square miles on the Kenai Peninsula, Sean Dusek, superintendent, explains, “In my opinion our diversity is an asset that all of us should embrace. While this diversity makes the management of our district challenging, it is the best thing to offer for our nearly 9,000 students.”Alaskan families can choose to send their students to these KPBSD public schools:

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1:1 iPads bring dynamic learning opportunity to Nanwalek School through White House ConnectEd initiative

Kenai Peninsula Borough School DistrictKPBSD 50 years logo Smallest version
Contact: Pegge Erkeneff, 907.714.8888

News Release
iPads bring dynamic learning opportunity to Nanwalek

Soldotna, August 17, 2015—Palpable excitement is in the air today at Nanwalek School, where 80 kindergarten through twelfth grade students anticipate receiving their own Apple iPad on Tuesday August 18, 2015.
A year in the planning, the rollout celebration to begin the comprehensive 1:1 technology solution for every student and teacher, including Apple hardware, software, and services, begins at 1:00 p.m., Tuesday, August 18, 2015, with guests and dignitaries present to speak to students, staff, and the community. The upcoming year is a game-changer for Nanwalek School, the only school in Alaska, and one of 114 schools in the country, to receive an Apple grant as part of the White House ConnectEd initiative begun in 2013.
Nanwalek School is located in a small village on the southern tip of the Kenai Peninsula, across the bay from Homer, Alaska. By giving students access to the latest technology and powerful learning tools, we’re working to transform the classroom into a place of deeper exploration and creativity.
“We are very excited about this opportunity for our students in Nanwalek,” said Sean Dusek, superintendent. “A key part of any initiative is professional development for our teachers and through the training commitment from Apple, we are confident that the new technology will have a tremendous positive impact for all of our Nanwalek students.”
As a result of the initiative to receive iPads, Apple TVs, and MacBook laptops for teachers:

  1. Students and teachers will be introduced to a new level of technology that they have not previously experienced in the village or school. This experience will be enhanced by faster Internet installed by the district through ACS in September 2014
  2. Academic core learning will be strengthened through resources and e-books on the devices
  3. This grant includes professional development for teachers in differentiation to strengthen core instruction, and intervention processes to increase achievement

IMG_9979Nanwalek School honors cultural identity while developing students to be effective members of society. School goals for the ConnectEd initiative include:

  • Students, parents, and community will be our partners
  • Teaching will be transformed
  • Students will be active learners
  • Students will strengthen their academic learning
  • Students will have a tool for preservation of language and culture
  • Students will have more possibilities for postsecondary options

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This and all KPBSD media releases are online at this web page: http://bit.ly/MediaPublicRelationships
Suggest or contribute a story online link: http://bit.ly/SuggestKPBSDstory
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Celebrate KPBSD Natalie Kant, Alaska Counselor of the Year

Natalie Kant, Alaska Counselor of the Year!
Skyview Middle School (SMS) counselor Natalie Kant received top acknowledgment from the State of Alaska for her “exceptional leadership skills, work ethic, enthusiasm for the profession, and care for students.” Sarge Truesdell, principal of SMS said, “There is this old saying in schools that the head secretary and head custodian run a school building. Here at SMS, Mrs. Natalie runs the building. She outworks us all, is a leader amongst her colleagues, is innovative, original, competent, and continually striving to learn and improve. She loves what she does!”

USE large Natalie Kant Alaska Counselor of the Year
Natalie Kant, Alaska Counselor of the Year, with Skyview Middle School (SMS) students

“I am very humbled to receive this incredible award for something that I love to do,” said Natalie Kant. “I am honored to be an employee of the KPBSD and absolutely love being a school counselor. My students, their parents, my colleagues and friends, my family and my school district have inspired me to always be involved and have motivated me to do my best. I love working with all students. Thank you for encouraging and challenging me to be the person I am today. Thank you for allowing me to be part of your life. I am very grateful for the influence you have had in my life. Thank You!”
Natalie Kant Counselor of the YEar
KPBSD School Counselors celebrate Alaska Counselor of the Year, Natalie Kant

Homeless liaison Kelly King receives Golden Apple award

Kenai Peninsula Borough School District
Golden Apple Award | March 2, 2015
Kelly King, Homeless Liaison 

Superintendent Dusek congratulates KPBSD homeless liaison, Kelly King, recipient of a Golden Apple award.
Superintendent Dusek congratulates Golden Apple awardee Kelly King, KPBSD homeless liaison.

One of the more challenging tasks that we face is educating our homeless students. Because of the extraordinary effort and dedication of Kelly King, KPBSD homeless liaison, the district is able to do its best to meet this challenge.
Ms. Kelly King came to the Kenai Peninsula Borough School District in 2008. In the past seven years she has literally worn her car out traveling from one end of the peninsula to the other to offer support to families and youth in transition. A lifelong Kenai resident, Kelly understands the unique characteristics of our communities. She continually goes well above her job expectations to develop strong, respectful relationships with local and state agencies in order to provide the very best assistance possible for her clients.
The task of the homeless liaison is not a high profile position and it does not garner a lot of attention. King doesn’t need those accolades; she truly has a heart for families and youth finding themselves in difficult times. The goal of the Students in Transition Program is to provide consistent, uninterrupted education so that students can succeed in school. Kelly takes this goal to heart; during her time as homeless liaison, she has watched many of her unaccompanied youth make it through high school, graduate on time, and go on to college or enroll in vocational education. In a typical year, she supports approximately 300 students. It is not uncommon for her to receive a thank you—sometimes years later—from a former student or parent who expresses appreciation for the difference she made during a difficult time.
She works outside her 8:00-5:00 work day or work week to provide emergency supplies, or put documentation in place to help her clients continue their K-12 education without interruption. Kelly thinks outside of the box and determines a way to help students get what they need in order to succeed and stay in school. She continually works to raise awareness and get the community involved; examples include the annual Vigil for Youth and Family Homelessness, working with students and schools to increase advocacy and outreach, and to maintain a KPBSD Students in Transition Facebook page to keep the community updated. Kelly’s work to raise community awareness has long reaching impact. In 2013 two students from Kenai Middle School learned about young people who are homeless on the Kenai Peninsula. The boys decided to combine their birthday party and asked guests to bring a present or gift card that would benefit youth and teens in the KPBSD SIT program. This past year, the student government at Kenai Central High School worked with Kelly to provide education and create a community fundraiser, students at Skyview Middle School sponsored a Penny War, and most recently students from Nikiski Middle-High School raised almost $3,000 to assist youth who are homeless and want to stay in school. KPBSD is very proud of the work Kelly does and is pleased she received the Knight in Shining Armor from the community in 2013.
Forging partnerships with many organizations and area businesses, Kelly has presented at the Student Council Conference, Rotary meetings, and collaborates with Covenant House in Anchorage, Love Inc., and other service agencies, just to name a few. Her beautiful smile and attitude helps put students at ease—they know they have found someone who truly cares, and that makes all the difference.
The Kenai Peninsula Borough School District Board of Education is proud to recognize Kelly King for her dedication to the students of the school district—past, present, and future.
Links
KPBSD Students In Transition program on Facebook
KPBSD Students in Transition program
Golden Apple awards
Kelly King Tim Vlasak Debbie Golden Apple 2015 March
 
KPBSD 50 years logo Smallest version

10K benefits Seward Elementary classroom instruction

$10,000 Worth of Gifts Arrive at Seward Elementary
The gifts have arrived, and teachers at Seward Elementary School are very excited about integrating all the new equipment into their lessons. After receiving a $10,000 gift for computer hardware from the education non-profit organization, Code.Org, teachers selected items that would enhance classroom instruction, especially S.T.E.M. lessons. For example, the new 3D printer by MakerBot will allow students to engineer tangible solutions to simple real-world problems, design their fix in SketchUp, then print the object out!
10K award
Third grade teachers are thrilled to have 28 new Chromebooks for their students. These are a cross between a notebook and a laptop, and they run without fans—allowing for stackable storage. The Chromebooks use Google for education applications, which KPBSD supports for all teachers and students.
“The third grade classes are looking forward to using the Chromebooks,” said Erin Flowers, a third grade teacher.  “These devices will provide extra opportunities for our students to prepare for AMP tests, improve fluency in reading and math, as well as provide the technological foundation required for continuous improvement in technology skills.”
Excitement stems from the possibilities that the new web cameras give each teacher, too. Leigh Ray, a second grade teacher, explained how websites such as www.epals.com allow teachers to connect with other classrooms around the globe—making contact based on age, academic unit of study, or other similar purposes.
Several other items rounded out the gifts received, including mp3 players, a new digital projector, and document cameras. With these new tools, students at Seward Elementary are definitely receiving a leading-edge, twenty-first century education.
Many thanks to Hadi Partovi, the CEO and co-founder of the education non-profit Code.org, for having the vision to bring computer science to every student in the United States, for instituting the now-famous Hour of Code, and for gifting Seward Elementary School with $10,000 of computer hardware.
Story contributed by David Kingsland, principal, Seward Elementary
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Librarian Lisa Whip receives Golden Apple award

Kenai Peninsula Borough School District

Golden Apple Award | February 2, 2015
Lisa Whip, School Librarian

West Homer Elementary librarian Lisa Whip awarded Golden Apple by KPBSD Board of Education
West Homer Elementary librarian Lisa Whip awarded Golden Apple by KPBSD Board of Education

 

“The moment when a student of any level or age discovers a book that they are passionate about is the most exciting part of my job as a librarian. At that point the student’s desire to read unlocks the world of books and for the first time they understand why other people read for pleasure. They become voracious readers. There is no stopping them!” – Lisa Whip

“Over the past eleven years, Mrs. Lisa Whip has turned the West Homer Elementary library into the heart and soul of our school, where students flock to find new books to read and sources for research projects, as well as a place to find a supportive ear and safe place to relax,” said Lyn Maslow, educator. “Teachers go to the library to find materials to support curriculum, scour the professional library that Mrs. Whip has developed, and find the latest cool book or series that was purchased.”
Mrs. Whip’s specialty is finding a magic book or series that switches a reluctant reader into an independent reader who keeps coming back for more. She has many strategies that help students become lifelong readers.
Mrs. Whip helps support innovative school programs. For example, when the school developed a nature trail, Mrs. Whip gathered resources and books that would support the science activities that would take place along the trail. She helped preserve and house a herbarium that the students created from the trail. When the school planted a garden, she put together a gardening section for the library. She has been an integral part of schoolwide programs such as Battle of Books, Book Fair, and Readathon.
Mrs. Whip implemented the Scholastic Lexile measure system Reading Counts into the library so that students would have school wide access to determine their Lexile levels—which led to students reading books on just the right level. She then helped students set goals for their reading, and a means to achieve those goals. The program has raised the number of books students read in order to meet personal goals. To accomplish this, she solicited funds, and coordinated volunteers from staff and the local Rotary Club to spend weekends Lexile formatting books. She coordinates two successful book fairs every year which draw many people from the community, and has evening book nights. Additionally, she has an ongoing book swap at a designated spot outside of the library, so students can exchange personal books for new ones.
Mrs. Whip works collaboratively with the children’s librarian at the Homer Public Library to increase the technology component of the West Homer Elementary library. This helps develop the role of technology in both the school and community libraries. “She procured funds to purchase iPads for each teacher in the school,” said Maslow. “And over the past two years we have been sharing different apps that are beneficial for our students.”
A tireless advocate for all students and teachers, Mrs. Whip has taken professional development classes with teachers, and then added resources from the classes to the professional library at the school. Over the past three summers, several educators participated in the Writing Institute at the Teacher’s College at Columbia University, in New York City. During the institute, Mrs. Whip collected recommended mentor texts that teachers could use in their language arts curriculum. The students would not be the successful student readers, nor West Homer Elementary be a Blue Ribbon School, without her passion for literacy.
The Kenai Peninsula Borough School District Board of Education is proud to recognize Lisa Whip for her dedication to the students of the school district—past, present, and future.

Lisa Whip, school librarian
Lisa Whip, school librarian

Addressing the  school board and  meeting attendees, Lisa Whip said, “Now I would like to let you in on a little secret. Every day I get to West Homer really early in the morning and walk through the silent halls to the library. When I open the door to the 25,000 books waiting for me on the shelves, I say out loud Good morning West Homer Library—you are awesome! and in the same breath I whisper Thank you IT Team* for without you keeping the library systems whirring and programs running the library would come to a screeching halt! …There is a brilliance hidden in every one of us waiting to be discovered. As a librarian, I support each child in finding their brilliance through books that are just right for them.”
*Information Technology
Golden Apple Awards
The Board of Education bestows Golden Apple Awards to school district employees, volunteers, and community organizations that go to extra lengths to support and advance education. Recipients are honored at a school board meeting with a proclamation and an engraved apple award. District employees, parents, school board members, volunteers, and community members are eligible to make nominations for the award. Complete a nomination form, write a letter of nomination explaining why you believe the nominee is deserving of special recognition. Click for additional information.
Links
Golden Apple information and nomination form
Past Golden Apple Award Recipients

news release: Seward Elementary wins 10K for Hour of Code

Kenai Peninsula Borough School DistrictPrint
Contact: Pegge Erkeneff, 907.714.8888

News Release
Seward Elementary awarded 10K for Hour of Code

Soldotna, December 2, 2014—Second grade Seward Elementary teacher, Leigh Ray, organized an Hour of Code for her school last year, and invited other KPBSD schools to participate. Imagine her surprise in November, 2014, when she learned her school would receive $10,000 worth of computer hardware and accessories from Code.org. In addition, Seward Elementary was one of 51 schools, and the only school in Alaska to receive the award!
“What’s exciting to me about this gift is the increased opportunities it gives our students here in Seward,” said Leigh Ray. “We already have an award-winning school and a supportive little town, and through this gift, our ability to educate our elementary students with first class technology has leapt forward substantially! Imagine what this will do for our students’ curiosity, aspirations, and love of learning! Through technology, our world has changed. It’s only natural that our classrooms should be equipped to support learning that matches those changes.”
Hour of Code 2014The international Hour of Code is a one-hour introduction to computer science, designed to show that anyone can learn the basics of computer coding. Last year during Computer Education Week, nearly 15 million students tried computer science in one week. This year, December 8 – 14, 2014, marks a week when tens of millions of students in 180+ countries will participate.
A Seward Elementary assembly will take place at 1:00, December 8, 2014, to celebrate the educational experience taking place in the school, and accept the $10,000 award.
“We are very excited that Seward Elementary has won this opportunity through the efforts of the school and in particular, educator Leigh Ray,” said Sean Dusek, KPBSD superintendent. “Utilizing projects that are application based like this are the kinds of activities that make a real difference in developing student thinking and technology skills. I am very happy the school is emphasizing 21st Century learning schools in this manner. Congratulations Seward Elementary!”
Links
http://hourofcode.com/us
KPBSD story: Hour of Code, 2013 http://bit.ly/KPBSDHourOfCode

20131217_HL_HourOfCode_LEAD
Hour of Code, 2013, Seward Elementary

 

Educator James Reinseth receives Golden Apple award

Kenai Peninsula Borough School District

Golden Apple Award | November 3, 2014
James Reinseth, Educator

Nanwalek teacher, James Reinseth, is awarded Golden Apple by KPBSD Board of Education
Nanwalek teacher James Reinseth awarded Golden Apple by KPBSD Board of Education

Dr. Atwater encourages us to teach students to be conscientious, resilient, and prudent. Mr. James Reinseth, a devoted K-1 teacher at Nanwalek School, exemplifies these qualities while also teaching them to his students through a culture of respect, high expectations, and constant formative feedback that encourages each to grow in academics, social behaviors, and work ethic.
Mr. Reinseth began teaching in Shungnak and remained there for eight years. Nanwalek gained his attention in 2007, and he has been of service to the community and district since, for a total of eighteen years in rural Alaska. Teacher turnover in villages interrupts learning. Mr. Reinseth’s longevity and devotion in his bush positions demonstrates commitment beyond what most are willing to offer.
In his words, Mr. Reinseth “lives to teach kindergarten and first grade.” Towering over his young students at more than six feet tall, Mr. Reinseth is driven to spend time with students—on the floor, bending over, or from his balcony view. During the last three years, Mr. Reinseth has shown tremendous growth in stepping out of his K-1 environment to participate and actively contribute in collaborations. Initial resistance led to gentle participation, then to active engagement to share his talents. In this, he passes on to others his incredible artistry in teaching.
Mr. Reinseth’s most notable contribution which will soon extend throughout the district came when Deb Evensen, an educational consultant, observed that Mr. Reinseth regularly implements with his regular education students the “Eight Magic Keys” that she recommends for students with compromised brains due to Fetal Alcohol Syndrome Disorder (FASD) or Adverse Childhood Experiences (ACE). Overcoming shyness and his natural inclination to stick to himself, Mr. Reinseth agreed to work with Nancy Kleine, principal; Deb Evensen; and Clayton Holland, director of student services, to capture his teaching for a training film for teachers. This film shows how to teach in ways that help all students without leaving behind those with brain dysfunctions.
After observing Mr. Reinseth over the last two years, Deb Evensen commented on Mr. Reinseth’s distinguished teaching: “Watching Jim Reinseth in action is like observing a great conductor lead a symphony. He guides his multi-level classroom of diverse learners through each day using multi-sensory, whole-brain strategies built on positive support and collaboration, and links everything to their daily lives. Jim is simply one of the most skilled educators I have ever observed during my forty year career as a teacher and consultant working with schools throughout North America.”
Every single day, Mr. Reinseth’s students live the eight magic keys: concrete, consistent, repetitive, routine, simple, specific, structured, and supervised. Literacy is constantly supported. His young students are addressed respectfully as Mr. and Miss. Thank you is heard often in Mr. Reinseth’s class. If an observer comes, not a beat is skipped in Mr. Reinseth’s constant feedback and positive reinforcement for students.
Mr. Reinseth also contributes expertise to other students in the school. Always willing, he has been an anchor to several former students who are struggling with personal issues. During the past two years, Mr. Reinseth taught welding academies for high school students. Every year, during the major holiday of Halloween in Nanwalek, Mr. Reinseth takes the reins for the annual school and community carnival. Finally, Mr. Reinseth endlessly helps new teachers who move to Nanwalek, whether it be to mentor them in curriculum or provide resources in the community.
Any district would be lucky to have a teacher of this caliber. That he is in Nanwalek is highly valued.The Kenai Peninsula Borough School District Board of Education is proud to recognize James Reinseth for his dedication to the students of the school district, past, present, and future.

Nanwalek class with James Reinseth

Nadejda Reutov receives Golden Apple award

Kenai Peninsula Borough School District

Golden Apple Award | November 3, 2014
Nadejda Reutov, Support Staff

IMG_8581
Golden Apple Award | November 3, 2014 Nadejda Reutov, Voznesenka School Custodian

“Nadejda Reutov is a custodian who is dedicated to her job and the Voznesenka School. Her eight and a half years of exceptional service have made our school a welcoming place for students, staff and visitors,” said Michael Wojciak, school principal.
Nadejda has a “do what it takes” type of attitude and often goes above and beyond her job duties for our school. Essential responsibilities include cleaning, maintenance, safety and security, and teamwork. Not only does Nadejda excel at her job duties, she is also an effective communicator with a pleasant personality. She greets students and staff in the hallways and passing between buildings. As a result, she has gained the respect of the students. This is evident by their attention and reaction to her voiced concerns about the upkeep of the school. Furthermore, Nadejda communicates with her colleagues throughout the school on a daily basis. She pays attention to details and puts forth her best efforts to fulfill any requests. She rarely misses a Site Council meeting, and is always willing to be open and honest about the issues involving the school.
When Nadejda does need to be away she never leaves it up to the school to find a substitute, and takes care of this on her own. She makes sure the substitute has the necessary keys and everything is prepared at school to make a substitute’s work as easy as possible. Nadejda is also a kind donor and volunteer to Voznesenka School. She often brings homemade goodies to share with staff, she donates to school programs like consumer science, and she and her husband help with repairs when needed.
Principal Wojciak said, “Nadejda Reutov’s personal pride is visible within our school, she pours her passion into every aspect of her job. She never complains about her responsibilities, is understanding in regard to school activities, and takes initiative without needing direction. Nadejda has an incomparable work ethic and is an invaluable member of the Voznesenka staff and school culture.”
The Kenai Peninsula Borough School District Board of Education is proud to recognize Nadejda Reutov for her dedication to the students of the school district, past, present, and future.