Congratulations to Kari Dendurent, Homer Middle School principal! Ms. Dendurent is recognized as the Alaska Association of Secondary School Principals (AASSP) Region III Principal of the Year!
The mission of AASSP is to promote excellence in school leadership while providing quality professional development to our members through conferences and other professional development opportunities.
“It is a great honor to be selected by my fellow administrators to represent Region III,” said Kari Dendurent, Homer Middle School principal. “I want to thank the amazing students, staff, parents, and the Homer Middle School Community for their continued hard work and support in making HMS such a wonderful place. We at HMS strive for high academic achievement and a positive school climate and culture. Our most important achievement is building trusting relationships through a positive rapport with every student.”
Sean Dusek, superintendent said, “I am very proud of Ms. Dendurent’s recognition and it is very well deserved! She has done an excellent job at Homer Middle School and has brought a very positive attitude with her that permeates the whole school. Great job Kari!”
Tag: awards
Librarian Lisa Whip receives Golden Apple award
Kenai Peninsula Borough School District
Golden Apple Award | February 2, 2015
Lisa Whip, School Librarian
“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.
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
Educator James Reinseth receives Golden Apple award
Kenai Peninsula Borough School District
Golden Apple Award | November 3, 2014
James Reinseth, Educator
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.
Celebrate! Principal David Kingsland is 2014 National Distinguished Elementary Principal
The Alaska Association of Elementary Principals announces the National Distinguished Principal for 2014 is David Kingsland!
“I was thrilled to learn that one of our own is being recognized by his peers as a National Distinguished Principal for 2014,” said Dr. Steve Atwater, Superintendent. “Mr. Kingsland’s unwavering commitment to the students of William H. Seward Elementary School is both commendable and inspiring. This is a great honor for Mr. Kingsland and by association all the students and staff of his school.”
“The Alaska Association of Elementary School Principals is proud to announce our National Distinguished Principal for 2014. David Kingsland is the principal of William H. Seward Elementary School in Seward, Alaska. The 2014 NDP Celebration marks the 31st year that the National Association of Elementary School Principals has presented this prestigious award.
Principal Kingsland was nominated and selected by his fellow principals through a statewide search process conducted by the Alaska Association of Elementary School Principals. Kingsland has previously held the position of Assistant Principal in Shishmaref. He was a teacher at Davis-Ramoth School in Selawik as well as at Head Start in Fairbanks and Circle School in Circle, Alaska. He has served as principal at Seward Elementary for fourteen years.
Kingsland will travel to Washington DC in October for two days of activities planned to honor and bring well-deserved recognition to the elementary educators selected by their respective states.
AAESP believes that David Kingsland is worthy of the National Distinguished Principal’s award and appreciates his commitment to Alaska’s children.”
Link
Alaska Association of Elementary Principals
Jason Bickling awarded 2014 Region III Principal of the Year
Jason Bickling, Seward Middle School administer, is named Alaska 2014 Region III Principal of the Year!
His response:
“Honestly, it’s very humbling to be recognized when I know there are a lot of administrators out there doing great things in their schools and making a difference for kids.”
“I am pleased to learn that Mr. Bickling’s is recognized as Alaska’s Region III Principal of the Year,” said Dr. Steve Atwater, superintendent. “His tireless work to create an optimum learning environment for his Seward Middle School and Moose Pass School students is inspiring. All of us at KPBSD hope that he is named Alaska Middle School Principal of the Year.”
Please join KPBSD in celebrating Mr. Bickling, and his commitment to education, his students, families, staff, and public education.
Jason–you make a difference!
Nominate your favorite KPBSD teacher! 2013 BP Teacher of Excellence program
Who is your favorite KPBSD teacher?
Please make time to nominate the educator you want to be recognized as a
2013 BP Teacher of Excellence!
BP is pleased to be able to recognize teachers throughout the entire state of Alaska for their dedication to teaching and for inspiring students. Each Teacher of Excellence chosen by our local community on the Peninsula will receive a $500 gift card and an award certificate. In addition, $500 will also be awarded to the winner’s school or PTA group.
BP has recognized more than 500 outstanding Alaska teachers since 1995, and this years nominations are due by February 15, 2013.
Online nomination: http://www.bpteachers.com/
Resources to share the program: www.BPTeachersToolkit.com
More information: 1-888-530-8962 or 907-564-4001, email: bpteachers@bp.com
