Tag: Golden Apple

Ms. Krista Etzwiler awarded Golden Apple

Ms. Krista Etzwiler, West Homer Elementary School Teacher
Kenai Peninsula Borough School District
Golden Apple Award | September 14, 2020

“Providing art opportunities for kids brings me joy. I like to think big and long-lasting so that everyone’s efforts can be enjoyed by many people for a long time.”

–Ms. Krista Etzwiler

There is no official art teacher at West Homer Elementary; rather, classroom teachers deliver art instruction to their students regardless of experience. Ms. Krista Etzwiler has been a leader in the school building in this curricular area by taking on the undefined role of Art Educator. On her own initiative, she supports her peers in their professional development in art instruction, envisions and mobilizes school-wide art projects, volunteers to coordinate the Artist in Residence program, volunteers to plan the whole school Art Faire, and volunteers on the Site Council.

Principal Eric Waltenbaugh describes her contributions: “The projects she initiates at West Homer Elementary contribute to the vibrant creative school culture and enhance the overall educational environment. As part of the Site Council, she participated in the creation of the entryway mural in the foyer of the building that aligns with our mission statement. Also, as a Site Council project she spearheaded the creation of positive message posters that are displayed in all the bathrooms in the building. Each year she volunteers to coordinate our Artist in Residence program working tirelessly on ensuring all students and adults in the building benefit from this yearly experience. She seeks out and vets candidates, collaborates with artists to meet our needs, and coordinates with teachers. Every three years we put on an Art Faire and she takes it upon herself to coordinate this school-wide show for the community. She has an eye for making these experiences interactive for both students and the public, finding creative ways to engage families. One year she experimented with QR codes where students recorded their artist statements and so when parents moved through the displays in the school, they could access the student audio statements by scanning the codes with their phones. She also designed critical thinking sheets students and community used to explore and think about the artistic elements present in the student work.

After the City of Homer put in a cement retaining wall on Soundview Avenue facing the school, it did not take long for Krista to see the opportunity to collaborate with local agencies to garner support for creating an installation that fit with the school and involved everyone in it. In addition to the wall, she worked on a matching painted cement sign. In the process she discovered there was power to the sign and was able to get it lighted once again. And, in true Krista spirit, she took it one step further to get strings of lights to adorn the five spruce trees at the entry to our campus. On dark winter days, it is a joy to tum in to the school and see the festive lights and colorful sign.

We instituted a campus beautification day during the final short week of the school year where classes engaged in projects to beautify the school grounds. Krista got a number of classes involved in painting the concrete light post bases on the ground in various coordinated colors to match the building, retaining wall mural, and West Homer Elementary sign. Her efforts are visible throughout the West Homer Elementary building and grounds, and her energy and support of her colleagues in their art instruction has improved student skills, enjoyment, and understanding of the arts.

The Kenai Peninsula Borough School District Board of Education is proud to recognize Ms. Krista Etzwiler for her dedication to the students of the school district, past, present, and future.

Ms. Judy Cox awarded Golden Apple

Ms. Judy Cox, Substitute Teacher
Kenai Peninsula Borough School District
Golden Apple Award | September 14, 2020

In 1988, Ms. Judy Cox started her career in education, and after her retirement, continued doing what she loves as a substitute teacher.

“For 32 years she has been inspiring, delighting, and educating students as a kindergarten teacher, first grade teacher, librarian, and an amazing substitute. Ms. Cox is also known as the Book Lady and her love of reading inspired her to collect and give away books in the community. In the summer, you can find her at the end of her driveway, with piles of books, eager to share with any and everyone who passes by. Ms. Cox has blesses the lives of educators, students, administrators, and parents (many who are former students), and continues to do so with endless energy and a true love for teaching.”

–Nominator Kim Bates, Mountain View Elementary educator

Third grade teacher Catherine Lyon said, “When called upon, Judy is up for long term subbing, one day subbing, and in the middle of the night emergency subbing. She makes sure that she is there, ready for the students, no matter what is happening in the classroom.”  “Judy makes it a point to know everyone’s name and greet them with enthusiastic familiarity,” said Catherine Mendenhall, Behavioral Support Teacher. “She has taught all of my children in various long-term substitute assignments, and keeps up with me about their news, taking a huge personal investment in my family. In fact, she makes me feel like part of her family whenever I see her in the hallways.”

Music teacher Jonathan Dillon shares, “Ms. Cox has a kind heart and is innovative in the ways that she approaches and supports students—maybe this kiddo needs some encouragement, that kiddo needs a smile, and this one just needs to move their body while she plays the ukulele!” Donna Anderson, third grade teacher says, “When I grow up, I want to be just like Judy. She is a role model, for children and adults.” Fourth grade teacher Dave Daniel adds, “She exudes a love for learning in all that she does, and has an amazingly versatile tool kit for her subbing jobs. Judy handles guest teaching from preschool to high school, but I believe her favorite is elementary age. She takes the children to faraway places in stories or in songs, as well as works out those math problems they don’t get.” Sienna Griggs, fifth grade teacher said, “In the five years I have known her, she has never approached me in the hall without a smile or funny story. She goes out of her way to make our staff and students laugh and enjoy our days.”

Donna Schneiders, kindergarten teacher said, “My kids get so excited when they find out that Judy will be my sub that they start to jump up and down and scream!” Bill Vedders, third grade teacher said, “I met Judy my first year in Alaska when I was force transferred to a kindergarten teaching position at Redoubt Elementary. Having never taught kindergarten before, I was a bit distressed. The district gave me a few days to visit each kindergarten room so I wouldn’t be a total stranger when kids were yanked from their beloved teachers to be in my room. Judy set me at ease immediately, and it was abundantly evident that this lady, surrounded by more Mickey Mouse memorabilia than I thought existed, had a deep and sincere love for her children. I heard that Ms. Cox will be retiring again, this time from subbing. Thank goodness that was just fake news, and Judy will still be back in the classroom spreading the love of reading and learning wherever she goes!”

Second grade teacher Lyndi Miller said, “She has completed two long-term subbing positions for me while I was on maternity leave. I had peace of mind while Judy was in my classroom during long-term subbing, knowing that my students were getting a non-disrupted education with continued curriculum and also residing in a nurturing, happy environment. She has a real knack for understanding child development and engaging children to keep them excited to learn.” Nicole Cunningham, fourth grade teacher says, “She comes in on her own time to help other subs, students, and staff. Ms. Cox works hard to build strong, loving relationships with the whole school and truly embodies what a passion for teaching looks like.”

“Having a substitute teacher often disrupts a child’s rhythm at school, and this is not the case with Judy. She subs so often in our school—she never declines—that students know and love her like their regular teacher. Her day subbing usually starts with her playing the ukulele and singing You are My Sunshine with her students. At the end, she asks Who loves you? And students loudly reply, You do! They love to see her and greet her in the hall with smiles even when she is not their sub for the day. I love to see her in the hall as well, to get my own personal smile and pick me up conversation, a dose of Judy so to speak. She volunteers on a regular basis for all kinds of events, loves kids, and she loves to help.”

Principal Karl Kircher, Mountain View Elementary School

The Kenai Peninsula Borough School District Board of Education is proud to recognize Ms. Judy Cox for her dedication to the students of the school district, past, present, and future.

Volunteer Red Asselin Martin awarded Golden Apple

Volunteer Red Asselin Martin receives Golden Apple award at Paul Banks Elementary during a Virtual Board of Education meeting

Ms. Red Asselin Martin, Paul Banks Elementary volunteer
Kenai Peninsula Borough School District
Golden Apple Award | June 1, 2020

“As the principal of Paul Banks Elementary in Homer, Alaska, I have witnessed firsthand the incredible resource that “Red” or Ms. Lisa Asselin Martin is for our school,” wrote nominator Eric Pederson. “She is a parent, the Parent Teacher Association (PTA) president, Sprout partner, and community advocate, and emulates all of the qualities the Golden Apple award represents. In the three years I have worked with her, she has gone from active parent to school leader.”

–Nominator Eric Pederson, Paul Banks Elementary principal

Paul Banks Elementary has numerous activities throughout the school year such as fundraisers, movie nights, Bingo for Books, and the Scholastic Book Fair, and it does not take long to notice that Red is behind many of them. As the PTA president, she saw a need for afterschool childcare when we moved to an early start and dismissal—so she created our afterschool program. All kindergarten to second grade students are invited to participate, including our students with special needs. Because of her leadership and skill in recruiting community members to teach, students have been able to choose from a variety of activities, including sign language, Japanese, Legos, Zumba, Outdoor Explorers, and Sports Hour.

During the potential KPBSD staff strike last fall, Red assembled pop-up childcare for working parents, utilizing volunteers and church space, and coordinated with other schools. As a Birth to Three Sprout staff member, she collaborated with Paul Banks Elementary to provide a weekly open gym playgroup for children ages one to four. This has allowed many of our young students to arrive already being familiar with our school. Red teaches parenting classes open to the whole community that benefits our families.

Recently, Red organized and facilitated a State Education Budget 101 for our entire community. The event brought people from opposing fiscal viewpoints together where factual data was shared and everyone had a great discussion.

The Paul Banks Elementary staff shared the following descriptors for Red: “persistent, thoughtful, caring, persistent, compassionate, gracious, persistent, hilarious, approachable, supportive and PERSISTENT.” Principal Eric Pederson wrote, “Red is one of those parents who has made me a better and more thoughtful person and leader. Her support, innovation, and contribution to our school community will be dearly missed at Paul Banks Elementary when her child moves to West Homer Elementary for the August 2020 school year.”

The Kenai Peninsula Borough School District Board of Education is proud to recognize Ms. Red Asselin Martin for her dedication to the students of the school district, past, present, and future.

Volunteer Red Asselin Martin receives Golden Apple award at Paul Banks Elementary during a Virtual Board of Education meeting

The Honorable Mike Chenault awarded Golden Apple

Kenai Peninsula Borough School District
Golden Apple Award | July 1, 2019
The Honorable Mike Chenault, Alaska House of Representatives

2019-07 mike chenault golden apple

Golden Apple nominator Sean Dusek said, “It is with great pleasure that I nominate Mike Chenault for a KPBSD Golden Apple Award for his tireless support of public education in Alaska.” The Honorable Mike Chenault, Alaska House of Representatives, is a graduate of Kenai Central High School in the Kenai Peninsula Borough School District, a successful businessman, and public servant. He served on the KPBSD Board of Education before becoming a State Representative. His time in the State House of Representatives culminated in his election as Speaker of the House where he led Alaska in its strong support of public education.

Speaker Chenault proved his mettle during tough debate on equitable funding for education early in his legislative career. His leadership allowed our district to implement innovative staffing practices that truly meet the needs of every student in the district. He led the legislature to provide forward funding for education, which our district translated into excellent results, particularly in the area of graduation rate. Speaker Chenault also held education accountable by asking the tough questions.
Assistant Superintendent Dave Jones added, “When Mike Chenault was elected to the House of Representatives for the State of Alaska, he took it upon himself to become highly informed and aware of the details involved with funding K-12 schools in Alaska. He learned about the intricacies of SB 36 (K-12 funding formula in place at that time) and the shortcomings and inequities it created.
As co-chair of the House Finance Committee, Mike Chenault was primarily responsible for the establishment of the Joint Legislative Education Funding Task Force (JLEFTF) that met during the months of June, July, and August 2007. The JLEFTF was established for the purpose of examining school district cost differentials and the existing formula for distributing state aid for education. As a result of the JLEFTF’s report to the Governor and Legislature, HB 273 was passed in March of 2008. The bill increased KPBSD’s District Cost Factor from 1.004 to 1.171 to help correct the underfunding inequities that KPBSD had been facing. HB 273 also increased the Intensive Multiplier and Base Student Allocation for much needed additional funding. KPBSD’s consistent growth in graduation rate since the passage of HB 273 can be directly linked to the additional funding made available by Mike Chenault.”
Speaker Chenault has always been a strong partner in building the Kenai Peninsula Borough School District. Superintendent Dusek said, “Through this partnership, he should share in our successes, knowing that he has made a profound difference in thousands of students’ lives. Speaker Chenault helped make the Kenai Peninsula Borough School District a high quality institution that is considered one of the best districts in the State of Alaska. I thank him for all he has done and hope he will continue to be fully engaged with KPBSD in the future.”
The Kenai Peninsula Borough School District Board of Education is proud to recognize the Honorable Mike Chenault, Alaska House of Representatives, for his dedication to the students of the school district, past, present, and future.

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Special Education Teacher David Justice awarded Golden Apple

Kenai Peninsula Borough School District
Golden Apple Award | December 3, 2018
Mr. David Justice,
Soldotna High School Special Education teacher

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Golden Apple nominator Greg Landeis wrote, “In the spring of 2018, I witnessed my son graduate from Soldotna High School. You might think this is a great feat since thousands of kids graduate from high school each spring. However, my son was diagnosed with severe ADHD and Tourette syndrome at a very young age. He had an IEP throughout school. My wife Esther and I are older parents. She is a registered nurse and during a 25 year long career has cared for and saved numerous lives, and continues to administer care and compassion to her patients. I was a decorated veteran in the United States Airforce, and served my community for 20 years as a police officer before receiving a catastrophic injury while in the performance of my duties that left me permanently disabled. We are no strangers to the sacrifices one makes to help community and fellow man. This is a story of Soldotna High School educator David Justice, who went beyond what is expected or required to help directly save a life.
When he became a freshman, my son suddenly started to change. Grades went down, his demeanor and attitude was sullen. This peaked when his mother walked into his room and found him with a loaded handgun, contemplating ending his life. To say his mother, a registered nurse and no stranger to seeing tragedy, and his father who had been dispatched to hundreds of suicides, were devastated and terrified would be misrepresenting the full magnitude of the situation. Our lives turned upside down. Our son was by our side 24 hours a day, seven days a week, for nearly a year and a half. We constantly monitored his mental health, and worried he would find a way to harm himself. He was academically at a standstill, and his mental health was to a point where he was not capable of being in a school environment. We tried home schooling but he continued to digress, and both of us were beyond worried about his future.
During the summer between his freshman and sophomore year, he continued to struggle mentally and with his depression. His mother and I decided to pursue further testing. In the fall, with medication and some counseling, he was stable enough to go back to school. We met Mr. Justice when we worked with the school experts for his IEP status. Notice I refer to him as Mr. Justice—I do this out of respect and admiration. Little did we know he would not only save my son from further harming himself, but would relentlessly continue to speak into his life and eventually get him to a point where he could graduate with the rest of his class.
So many times, Mr. Justice brought my son out of his depression, and dark place—a place my son describes as being overwhelmed with feeling unworthy and believing ending his life was an option. Mr. Justice built him up, and through creative and innovative techniques managed to motivate and give him the ability to realize his self-worth. Eventually he was diagnosed with Acute Anxiety Disorder and clinical depression, along with Tourette’s and ADHD.
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The ability of Mr. Justice to speak into, mentor, and guide my son’s life is not the entirety of this story. We were devastated by this tragedy in our child’s life, and are interactive with all of our three children. Not only was this the most terrifying thing we had been through, we often felt very helpless and distraught, and leaned on one another for support, but sometimes it was not enough. Mr. Justice gave us great comfort through this whole process. Often times he would hear our despair and offer counsel, guidance, and reassurance. I do not think my son, Esther, and I are the only ones Mr. Justice helped. My son told me many stories of kids that Mr. Justice worked with and cared for equally as he did my son.
Mr. Justice brought our son out of a world of torment, torture and self-loathing, got him on track, got him to push to graduate with his class and as if that was not enough, propelled him towards continuing his education through Job Core. I am no stranger to witnessing wonderful, selfless, giving human beings going the extra step to help someone, but Mr. Justice is at the very top of the list. This man restored my faith in the education system. His selfless and over the top dedication, in a very tough job should be commended. I will forever be in his debt for what he did for my son.”
The Kenai Peninsula Borough School District Board of Education is proud to recognize Mr. David Justice for his dedication to the students of the school district, past, present, and future.

 

Golden Apple Award Recognition

Golden Apple nomination
Who do you believe goes above and beyond in our schools to meet our KPBSD mission? Kindly nominate a staff member, volunteer, student, business or community partnership to be recognized for outstanding service and contributions to educating our students.
How-To make your nomination:
Read the Golden Apple recognition rubric below.
Complete the nomination; make sure to include details and specific stories that demonstrate above and beyond service or contributions.

The recognition committee reviews nominations on a monthly basis; you will be contacted when your nomination is received, and when the process is complete. Thank you for your #golden story about someone who goes above and beyond in or for our schools.
Kindly return your nomination to the Communication department office by email, mail, or fax. Contacts are located at the bottom of the nomination form.
Recognition takes place during the monthly Board of Education meeting.

Seward student Heleana Backus awarded Golden Apple

Heleana Backus Golden Apple

Kenai Peninsula Borough School District
Golden Apple Award | May 7, 2018
 Miss Heleana Backus

Heleana Backus is a senior at Seward High School and she has been an integral part of the 2017-2018 ELA curriculum revision process. Her work on the committee is helping to ensure the Kenai Peninsula Borough School District moves toward even more meaningful opportunities for student growth and personalized learning, work which will impact students long after her own graduation.
Heleana joined the 2017-2018 ELA curriculum committee as a student representative. She attended every meeting, took time to ask questions and dig into the data alongside the other committee members, and engaged in difficult discussions about effective teaching and differing philosophies about students’ academic needs. Heleana remained open-minded, courteous, and professional, even as she stood her ground and brought up the challenges she and her peers are facing in and out of school. She worked tirelessly to remind her teacher colleagues on the committee about the modern society all KPBSD graduates are preparing to join, and to advocate for a broader and more applicable focus on the state’s ELA standards. The work that she is contributing to will be the foundation of the English-Language Arts learning for secondary students in KPBSD. And for being a student, Heleana far and away contributes integrally to the advancement of learning in our district.
Additionally, Heleana jumped right into the creation of district curriculum documents, learning the new format, expectations, and professional vocabulary necessary to complete the task. She pushed herself beyond her comfort zone again and again, all while communicating clearly when she needed assistance and when she was prepared to continue her work independently. She, like all the teachers in the curriculum committee, was assigned specific deadlines and expectations for work quality, and met those standards time and time again. This work on the committee translates to an entire school year of dedication to this work by her.
Heleana’s willingness to explore the depth of the educational field and to participate in creating a strong foundation for future students make her an excellent young leader who goes above and beyond. Her work will leave a lasting impression in our district and help guide our district’s growth and improvement for many years to come.
Miss Backus has professional aspirations of becoming an educator that she is actively pursuing with her work on the committee. Her vision is best shared in her own words, “I push myself towards my goals with this constantly in mind: conformity can no longer be taught under the guise of public education. I am actively helping to integrate this idea into the classroom with the ELA curriculum committee, but I want to take that further. I strive to bring the vision that the Kenai Peninsula Borough School District has for personalizing education to every school.” We can only hope to have many more students taking this type of initiative to drive the education that they want to see for themselves, and those that come after them.
The Kenai Peninsula Borough School District Board of Education is proud to recognize Miss Heleana Backus for her leadership and dedication to education for the students of the school district, now and into the future.

 

Principal Nancy Kleine awarded Golden Apple

Nancy Kleine Golden Apple

Kenai Peninsula Borough School District
Golden Apple Award | May 7, 2018
Principal Nancy Kleine, Nanwalek and Port Graham Schools

As a consummate advocate for her students and schools, Mrs. Nancy Kleine is quick to brag about her student’s latest accomplishments, which is usually accompanied by a tour of the building. As a colleague, Nancy is supportive of District initiatives that benefit students. As a result, students from Nanwalek and Port Graham schools benefited from opportunities provided by multiple KPBSD UPSTREAM Academies, the Alaska Native Science and Engineering Program Middle School Academy, and through opportunities with District partners such as the Kenai Peninsula Native Youth Leaders.
eBook – Inspiring New Ways of Learning at Nanwalek School
Going above and beyond, in February, 2018, after working on the project for hundreds of hours, Nancy published a book in the Apple iTunes store. It’s 33 pages, free, and titled, “Inspiring New Ways of Learning at Nanwalek School.” This book chronicles the outstanding education contribution that is now in place for the current students, and students to come in future years. Nancy has worked with local tribal councils, and with partner agencies to publish Nanwalek historical resources about the school, and obtain permissions from older school materials that were produced to tell the story of Nanwalek and Port Graham.
ConnectEd Grant
In 2015, Nancy was instrumental in garnering a ConnectEd grant from Apple for Nanwalek School. They were one of 114 schools across the country who received one-to-one iPads for each student, a Mac and iPad for each teacher, and an Apple TV in each classroom. In addition to the technology, the grant implemented processes for planning and professional learning. Her advocacy led to the acquisition of materials and ConnectEd included Port Graham School in their support. Nancy’s role was vital to the successful implementation of this technology and its transformative effect on both sites.
Additionally, as a seasoned educator, Nancy can be counted on to provide valid insight to situations, practices, and protocols. “Nancy has done a great job mentoring me this year,” says Josh Hinds, principal of Susan B. English School in Seldovia. “Her assistance, clarifications, and insights have been very helpful to me in my first year with the district,” he adds.
Devin Michel, teacher at Port Graham, says about Nancy, “She is the epitome of support. Nancy puts everything she has into her schools, students, and staffs. She works with people as individuals and helps them to utilize their strengths to benefit the greater good. When asked about such things as rabbits, salmon, or chickens, she enthusiastically wants her staff to take on projects that will truly have an effect on the life learning of her students. Nancy will be greatly missed in her retirement, as she has come to be the mother hen of both schools. She leaves big, warm, patient, and loving shoes to fill.” Renee Estelle, KPBSD Itinerant Teacher of Deaf and Hard-of-Hearing, adds, “It’s been an honor to work with Nancy and to see positive changes in Nanwalek School over the years she’s been at the helm. I appreciate Nancy’s hard work, her commitment to excellence, and her willingness to think outside the box to meet the unique needs of students. Her kindness and caring for students is evident as she encourages them to move ever upward toward success!”
When Nancy Kleine announced that she will retire at the end of this school year, it marked the end of a career in education spent entirely in Alaska. Nancy served KPBSD in multiple capacities and at multiple sites. After two years with Connections serving as an Academic Advisor, Nancy became the principal of Nanwalek School. A year later, she assumed leadership responsibilities at both Nanwalek and Port Graham, where she quickly brought with her the kind of credibility that can only come from a career in education. She is steadfast in her expectations as a school leader, for personnel and students alike. As a result, under Nancy’s leadership, both schools have seen a marked gain in the areas of academic achievement and attendance.
Principal Kleine’s tenure with the District will have lasting effects for the students, families, and schools she has served. Educators, more than anything, want to make a difference. It is clear that Nancy, through a career spent creating opportunities for students, has done this successfully.
The Kenai Peninsula Borough School District Board of Education is proud to recognize Principal Nancy Kleine for her dedication to the students of the school district, past, present, and future.

Mrs. Devin Michel Way awarded Golden Apple

2018_03 Devin Way Golden Apple with Nancy Kleine

Kenai Peninsula Borough School District
Golden Apple Award | March 5, 2018
Mrs. Devin Michel Way, educator Port Graham School

Every school deserves to have at least one teacher as charitable and distinguished as Mrs. Devin Michel Way, for it is teachers like her that cause positive change not only in their own classrooms, but across the staff and beyond. Mrs. Way is a superlative example of an educator who cannot help but give of herself, and who moves through her practice with grace, no matter how large the task and no matter how much she offers to do. Her generosity of spirit builds relationships and trust, and on that foundation Mrs. Way acts as a guide for students and staff to learn and grow.
A tightly choreographed dance
A kindergarten through fourth grade teacher at Port Graham School for the last three years, and a veteran teacher of eleven years, Mrs. Way is a master at differentiating for each and every student across five grades. For many, teaching five grade levels would be daunting, if not impossible, but Mrs. Way succeeds extremely well. Her expertise has grown from her unique experiences, including teaching preschool in Pennsylvania, fifth grade in the Marshall Islands, and a span of preschool to elementary grades in the village of Point Lay. Watching Mrs. Way’s classroom is akin to watching a tightly choreographed dance. Students know the steps, established early on, and learn happily in a relaxed, student-centered environment. Mrs. Way makes this dance look easy, and in her nurturing manner, Mrs. Way provides support to all. While soothing a crying kindergartener, she might chat with her fourth graders about a theme in a novel. All the while, other students are launched on their independent or collaborative projects. Too, over the year, students’ projects branch out into the community to provide service. She is truly an amazing teacher.
Responsibility
Without being asked, Mrs. Way assumes a high level responsibility at Port Graham School beyond the classroom in communications, public relations, and day-to-day functions. Without a principal on campus four days per week, there are myriad challenges, including scheduling variances, community concerns, guest speakers, special events, student support, staff absences, mechanical issues (such as recently testing a generator!), internet outages, and nameless other issues. Mrs. Way cheerfully helps with these challenges. She communicates regularly with her principal, and follows protocols. She keeps parents informed of school activities, and acts as editor on the school Facebook page. She engages with all students, not just her own. She also coaches middle school cross country running, is the Assessment Coordinator, school librarian, and serves on Port Graham Site Based Council. She provides stability for the entire school. Mrs. Way does this all with a gentle spirit, willing attitude, and love for people.
Professional Development
A particularly extraordinary aspect of Mrs. Way’s practice that goes above and beyond is her remarkable ability and eagerness as a professional development facilitator for Port Graham and Nanwalek Schools. This role began as a stipend position, during which Mrs. Way exceeded expectations by fully facilitating in-services, early release days, and collaborations. When the stipend was no longer available, she stepped forward to continue, and leads collaborative sessions for all instructional staff in both locations that could be likened to seminars led by professional facilitators. With a sensitivity to the needs of our K-12 rural schools, agendas center on initiatives such as personalized learning and ConnectED, with practical applications to multi-graded settings. With poise and a touch of authority, Mrs. Way facilitates new concepts, engages meaningful discussions, and requires participants to collaborate on products that can be applied to current practice.
Apple and ConnectED
iPads for Orcas
Recognizing her skill and importance as a professional development facilitator, Apple, Inc. invited Mrs. Way to the Dallas ConnectED Academy with Team Nanwalek last February. Mrs. Way had helped initiate the “iPads for Orcas” technology program in Port Graham, earned status as an Apple Teacher, and is a constant resource to teachers in many areas, including technology. Apple Education Development Executive Katie VanSluys was excited to have Mrs. Way’s participation because of her collaborative nature and generous spirit. Ms. VanSluys stated, “Having worked with Devin over the course of two years—launching and growing programs to integrate and innovate with technology, it became immediately clear to me that Devin is a learning leader. Her work with kids and colleagues is passion-filled, professional, and caring. Her actions model what we, as educators, want to develop in our students. Devin identifies challenges, approaches problem-solving with intrigue and stamina, engages others gracefully and strategically, and finds joy in process of learning. She is a remarkable educator, respected colleague, and inspiring teacher to me and countless others.”
“Mrs. Devin Michel Way exemplifies what we dream that all educators can become,” said Principal Nancy Kleine. “We are fortunate that Mrs. Way is teaching in our district, and is driven to share her expertise with others. Mrs. Way is one of the finest educators because she reaches a hand out to share with others.”
The Kenai Peninsula Borough School District Board of Education is proud to recognize Mrs. Devin Way for her dedication to the students of the school district, past, present, and future.

 

Mayor Mike Navarre awarded Golden Apple

2017 Mayor Mike Navarre

Kenai Peninsula Borough School District
Golden Apple Award | October 16, 2017
Kenai Peninsula Borough Mayor Mike Navarre

Kenai Peninsula Borough Mayor Mike Navarre provides tireless support of public education in our borough and in the state.
Mayor Navarre is a graduate from the Kenai Peninsula Borough School District and did not forget his roots. A successful businessman and public servant, through his personal business he supports KPBSD schools through donations of funds, products, and most importantly, time. His love of kids is genuine and while he is a Kenai Central High School graduate, he supports all of the schools in the district with equal zeal and pride!
Mayor Navarre has consistently demonstrated his support for public education in his various public servant roles. He speaks to the accomplishments, while also asking the tough questions that hold our schools accountable to high standards. When the district has needed funding, he has recommended, supported, and followed through on providing additional funding.
What is most impressive about Mayor Navarre is that he believes in public education because he believes in children and is optimistic about their future, especially if it is grounded in a quality education. He has been a strong partner building the Kenai Peninsula Borough School District. “Through this partnership, he should share in our successes, know that he has made a profound difference in thousands of students’ lives, and be recognized for his unwavering support,” said Superintendent Sean Dusek. “I sincerely appreciate all that Mayor Navarre has done throughout his lifetime to help make the Kenai Peninsula Borough School District a high quality institution that is considered one of the best districts in the State of Alaska. Thank you for all you have done and I hope you will continue to be fully engaged with KPBSD in the future.”
The Kenai Peninsula Borough School District Board of Education is proud to recognize Mr. Mike Navarre for his dedication to the students of the school district, past, present, and future.
2017 Mayor Navarre Golden Apple