The Raymore-Peculiar

Public School Foundation

presents the

Wednesday, April 10, 2019

Raymore-Peculiar High School

Raymore-Peculiar

Teacher of the Year and

Support Staff Employee of the Year

Ray-Pec Public School Foundation 2018 Annual Campaign Donors

Peculiar Charitable Foundation * First Church of Peculiar * Price Chopper * Caring Hearts of Peculiar * Pete & Renee Kerckhoff * Jim & Eleanor Kopetsky * Country Club Bank * Phil Parke - Edward Jones * Bob & Jodie Huston * Creekmoor PTA * Ted & Merle Lange * Scott & Dana Jermain * Greg & Jill Teale * Rock & Dirt Construction * Phil & Missy VanDeusen * Larry & Mary Dobson * Community Bank of Raymore * Juan & Carolyn Grube * Kari & Laura Monsees * Apple Bus * John & Allison Bruflat * Raymore Lions Club * Sunrise Optimist Club * Outdoor Solutions * Raymore Festival in the Park * Sonic * Vincent & Annette Como * All Systems Design Solutions * Belton-Raymore Rotary Club * Real Life Church * Steve & Cindy Cohee * David Smith, DDS * Rep. Jack Bondon * Linda Bass * Lauri Gray * Alan & Becky Klein * Timber Creek PTA * St. Paul’s Methodist Church * Shari Brice * Guin Mundorf LLC * Major Saver * Nathan & Deanna Dawson * Chris & Teri Molendorp * Michelle Hofmann * Rich & Kara Bartow * Houdyshell & Associates * The Jiggy Pig * Matt Davidson - State Farm * Jane Redmond - Edward Jones * Dave’s Bike Shop * Pearce Photography * Balance Point Heating & Cooling * Bob Huston for Cass County Presiding Commissioner * Jeff Daniels * Keystone * Peggy Miller * Westbrook & Co., P.C. * Bing Schimmelpfenning * Minsky’s Pizza * Dairy Queen * Walmart Distribution Center * Country Mart * Grider Orthodontics * Calvary University * Monkey Printing * Unite Private Networks * Integrity Group Real Estate * Yellowdog Networks* Cintas* Henderson Engineering * Vision Source Eyecare * Noe’s Jewelry * Country View Florist LLC * Andrew Goffinet * Jeff Cox for Judge * Collins & Jones, P.C. * Dean’s Trophies * Fletcher’s Forms * Gary Waldrup - Balfour * Pyramid Roofing * Pepper Grimm * ConvergeOne * AXA Advisors * Daniel & Ashley Crowe * Tamara West * Jason Smither * Cynthia Byous * Peggy Brotherton-Ford * Jamie Bogner * Terry Foster * Albert Voelker * Gina Robison * Richard Lally * Tracy Caskey * Christina Cummings * Tabitha Folkert * Kathyleen Ruch * Pam Steele * Michele Stidham * Rachel Surls * Kelley Weida * Debbie Wescoat * Gina Garrison * Lindsay Carmichael * Amy Hellums * Janet Bader * Kena Boles * James Brown * Cari Bryant * Bethanie Cummings * Risa Bullard * Laura Campbell * Lisa Carr * Sarah Chellberg * Joanna Clark * Emily Conrad * Scott Dobson * Lori Glenn * Ashton Eslinger * Dawn Fellhauer * Tina Fowler * Christina Hocker * Jennifer Gingrich * Kristan Gutierrez * Carrie Hamburg * Nicole Jambrosic * Lisa Hatfield * Crystal Hawley * Wendy Huffman * Debra Ivanuska * Roger Jacobs * Dillon Jarrett * Jennifer Johnson * Robin Jones * Stefanie Kesler * Aaron King * Tom Kruse * Jeanne Kuhlman * Jennifer Landis * Whitney Mikkelsen * Kelly Logan * Margaret Mitchell * Norma Mann * Calee McElwain * Lindsay Meyer* Bradye Miller * Kelsey Pomeroy * Pauline Pritchett * Anne Mussatti * Juline Norman * Kristine Palmer * Heather Poland * Elizabeth Rincon * Ivan Robison * M’Lissa Rodgers * Keri Pinney * Steven Miller * Simon Schupp * Brenda Sehorn * Linda Sharp * Mary Shatford * Candi Morris * Jennifer Simmons * Amber Solomon * Linda Storey * Faye Tait * Ryan True * Julie Vaughn * Rob Weida * Jodi Wooley * Kelli Yahnig * Barbara Rewald * Edward Hruska * Casandra Thompson * Jennifer Voliva * Bobbi Bond * Teresa Eberhart * Rebecca Robison * Sharon Moore * Christine Vyhanek * Jovita Smith * Leanne Dial * Lydmarie Spruill * Jerrod Fellhauer * Shelley Presley * Lydia Baker * Rebecca Dobson * Kathryn Doudrick * James Hartman * Rebecca Howard * Scott Jermain * Jill McCorkle * Katherine Hamburg * Kristin Alford * Melissa Haskamp * Tana Morrison * Nicole Portzen * Rachele Williams * Elizabeth Robb * Heidi Lanksbury * Piper Showen * Laura Moots * Jennika Miller * Randy Randolph * Stephanie Berendzen * Jennifer Stark * Brooke Urbina * Carol Holsman * Leslie Browning * Tracy Elliott * Kolby Arnold * Janet Tracy * Melissa Lucas * Bryan Pettengill * Sheryl Richardson * Ashley Martin * Heather MacQueen * James Tierney * Mary Schneider * Anne Schupp * Cathryn Spencer * Penny Spencer * Angela Stein * George Tombaugh * Christina Weaver * Andrea Whalen * Carla Bensinger * Pamala Hecker * Nicole Holloway * Cheryl Tipton * Jennifer Baldwin * Sue Hook * Haley Mathis * Kirsten Long * Iretha Nichols * Ryan Gooding * Monica Gross * May Heinen * Andrea Becker * Margaret Hunsaker * Jennifer Hutchens * Annora Quenzer * Samantha Allen * Kayla Coleman * Samantha Copeland * Julie Fisher * Shaniece Martin * Elizabeth Ridge * Sherri Dupuis * Diane Ejjaidali * Jennifer Gunnels * Jennifer Jungeblut * Jenny Bullock * Charlene White * Wendy Williams * Heather Johnson * Linda Portman * Audalyn Vessar * Jason Waltz * Andrea Montgomery * Doug Brown * Emily Cesonis * Lisa Whitten * Mark Cook * Norma Fleming * Kim Goforth * Ashleigh Sandifer * Debra Russo * Darrel Johnson * Michelle Moore * Stephanie Thomas * Jessamyn Cartwright * Emily Hotzler * Amy Hansen * Jessica Berry * Dan Garrison * Cindy Watson * Heather Cronk * Tammy Lapham *

Raymore-Peculiar Teacher of the Year and

Support Staff Employee of the Year Banquet

April 10, 2019

Welcome .................................................................................... Dr. Kari Monsees, Superintendent

About the Public School Foundation.................................... Mr. Phil Parke, Foundation President

Teacher and Support Staff Employee of the Year Programs ...................................... Dr. Monsees

Introduction of Support Staff Finalists ................... Dr. Bryan Pettengill, Assistant Superintendent

........................................................................................ Ms. Cynthia Byous, Chief Financial Officer

Elizabeth Breier Christine Huggins

Peggy Brotherton-Ford Karen Moore

Deanna Brucker Corrie Posey

Karla Heinrich Glenda Whitaker

Introduction of Teacher of the Year Finalists ................. Dr. Al Voelker, Assistant Superintendent

................................................................................ Dr. Lisa Hatfield, Director of Human Resources

Samantha Allen Sophia Newmaster

Jenni Beck Lynn Noirfalise

Andrea Calkins Tammy Novak

Kristan Gutierrez Laura Streeby

Jeff Moore Jennifer Vacca

Closing Remarks ........................................................................................................... Dr. Monsees

Announcement of winners

For the Winners $500 cash award ● Desk award ● Banners for his or her school

8x10 photo on display at the Administrative Services Center (from Pearce Photographics)

$50 gift Price Chopper gift card ● Sonic gift card

Business cards from Cass Gazette ● Teacher of the Year ring from Balfour

Support Staff Employee of the Year bracelet from Noe’s Jewelry

All Finalists: Plaque and gift bag

Thanks to these contributors Affordable Elegance ● Panda Express ● Major Saver

John and Allison Bruflat ● Bonnie Lesmeister ● Brite Carwash

Culver’s ● Matt Davidson, State Farm Insurance ● Texas Roadhouse

Betty Rae’s ● Mike Medsker—Farmer’s Insurance ● MOD Pizza

Cosentino’s Price Chopper, Raymore ● Sonic of Raymore

Thanks to these sponsors Outdoor Solutions, Mary and Kurt Shatford

Laura Streeby, Teacher Finalist

Laura Streeby has been teaching 8th grade American History at Ray-Pec East

Middle School for six years. Previously, she taught in the Liberty School District

and was a paraprofessional in the Lee’s Summit School District.

From her nomination letter:

“Laura has a true passion for the learning experience of each child. Her

knowledge of American History is extraordinary as she creates a positive at-

mosphere in her classroom.”

Jennifer Vacca, Teacher Finalist

Jennifer Vacca is a special education teacher at Eagle Glen Elementary School.

This is her first year in that position. She taught fourth and fifth grades for 19

years, with a total of 17 years in the Ray-Pec School District.

From her nomination letter:

“Jennifer is an amazing teacher who demonstrates compassion for each of her

students and has a natural ability to make learning accessible for all students.

She is a natural at handling the many needs of our special education population.”

Thanks to our judges

Becky Deardorff, Secretary to School Board and Superintendent, Archie R-V School District

Renee Kerckhoff, community member

Chris Molendorp, Cass County Collector

Mike Oyster, owner, Apple Bus Company

Sophia Newmaster, Teacher Finalist

Sophia Newmaster teaches sixth grade English Language Arts and Social Studies

at Ray-Pec South Middle School. This is her 5th year teaching in the Ray-Pec

district. She previously taught 3 years at Eagle Glen Intermediate School.

From her nomination letter:

“Sophia consistently goes above and beyond to build positive relationships with

students and create a climate of mutual respect. Students feel welcomed and

supported in the classroom.”

Tammy Novak, Teacher Finalist

Tammy Novak is the Digital Learning Teacher at Peculiar Elementary. She has worked for the Ray-Pec School District since 1996 in several positions, including teaching fourth and fifth grade.

From her nomination letter:

“She is always willing to help and does so in a manner that allows the other

adults to learn and grow and, in turn, assists others. My words cannot capture

the impact Tammy has had on our school, our students, and our staff.”

Lynn Noirfalise, Teacher Finalist

This is Lynn Noirfalise’s 17th year of teaching grades K-2 in the Ray-Pec School

District. She currently teaches second grade at Timber Creek Elementary. She

previously taught in the Kansas City and Hickman Mills school districts.

From her nomination letter:

“Each year we’ve had her, she has been the most caring, honest, and hard-

working teacher. When a child sees you have their best interest at heart and

want them to succeed, it really sets you above the rest.”

Elizabeth Breier, Support Staff Finalist

Elizabeth Breier is a paraprofessional at Eagle Glen Elementary School. She has been in this position for 2 years. Before that, she taught grades five through eight in the Ray-Pec district and at Our Lady of Peace. From her nomination letter:

“I am very impressed with her and her work ethic. With her teaching back-

ground, Mrs. Breier is able to take small groups of students and reteach lessons

to them in a very understandable way.”

Peggy Brotherton-Ford, Support Staff Finalist

Peggy Brotherton-Ford is a paraprofessional at Ray-Pec South Middle School.

She started in this position in January 2018. She also worked since 2004 as a

substitute teacher and para in the District.

From her nomination letter:

“She is truly a carrying, professional person who delights in helping students

learn more and be successful in life. Mrs. B inspires students to reach further and

achieve more.”

Deanna Brucker, Support Staff Finalist

Deanna Brucker is the day lead custodian at Ray-Pec South Middle School. She has been in this position for 4 months, but has worked nearly 13 years for the school district.

From her nomination letter:

“On a daily basis she promptly responds to a number of urgent requests all over

our school. Her ‘to do’ list is never ending, but her attitude is a shining example

to all who work with her.”

Karla Heinrich, Support Staff Finalist

Karla Heinrich is the attendance secretary at Raymore Elementary School. She has been in this position for 8 years. Previously, she was a substitute teacher in the district.

From her nomination letter:

“Karla is a very calm, easy-going presence to be around. She is always positive

and never seems too busy to help out. She is just a genuinely kind-hearted person

who truly loves our staff and students.”

Jeff Moore, Teacher Finalist

Jeff Moore teaches AP U.S. Government and Politics and Leadership at Ray-Pec

High School. He has been teaching in the Ray-Pec School District since 1995.

From his nomination letters:

“He has a tremendous passion for helping others and puts a great amount of

effort and time into his students and his job.”

“He has impacted my life in major ways throughout my high school career.”

Andrea Calkins, Teacher Finalist

Andrea Calkins is a second grade teacher at Creekmoor Elementary School. She has worked 11 years in the Ray-Pec School District, with six years teaching sec-ond grade, one year teaching fourth grade, one year teaching first grade, two years as an administrative intern, and one year as a teacher associate.

From her nomination letter:

“Her ability to captivate a classroom and maintain a controlled, yet fun, environ-

ment is evident. She gives her heart and soul daily to the children she is shaping.”

Kristan Gutierrez, Teacher Finalist

Kristan Gutierrez teaches kindergarten at Bridle Ridge Elementary School. She has been in this position for two years, and has worked for the Ray-Pec School District for nine years.

From her nomination letters:

“I’m thankful for you! You are funny and smart. You are the best teacher ever.”

“All learning is fun with Mrs. Gutierrez! This, in addition to her warm nature, is

largely why both of my children say such wonderful things about her.”

Jenni Beck, Teacher Finalist

Jenni Beck is the counselor at Raymore Elementary School. This is her ninth year

as school counselor and her 11th year in the Ray-Pec School District.

From her nomination letters:

“Every day, Jenni is working with a student helping them to be their best self.”

“Students love her warm, calm demeanor. They know that with her, no matter

what emotions or situations they are going through, they are safe and loved.”

Samantha Allen, Teacher Finalist

Samantha Allen is an Early Childhood Special Education Teacher at Shull Early

Learning Center. She has been teaching since January 2009—all in the Ray-Pec

School District.

From her nomination letter:

“She is the most compassionate and selfless teacher I have ever encountered.

She does not do these things because it is her job, she does it because it is her

passion and she truly cares for the future of her students.”

Christine Huggins, Support Staff Finalist

Christine Huggins is the secretary for the assistant principal (9th grade) at Ray-Pec School. This is her third year in that position and her 10th year working for the school district.

From her nomination letter:

“Mrs. Huggins is one of the adults at this school that I know I can trust no

matter what. She is always so kind and welcoming and willing to help with any-

thing.”

Karen Moore, Support Staff Finalist

Karen Moore is the administrative assistant for the Ray-Pec Athletic/Activities Director. She has been in this position for two years, and has worked for the district for 21 years. Previous positions included social worker, paraprofessional, and attendance secretary.

From her nomination letter:

“Mrs. Moore will always be beyond kind to any student that steps into her office.

She is so friendly and compassionate toward those around her.”

Corrie Posey, Support Staff Finalist

Corrie Posey is the Cafeteria Manager at Stonegate Elementary School. This is her seventh year in that position and her eighth year working for the school dis-trict. The first year, she worked as a cook at Eagle Glen.

From her nomination letter:

“Ms. Corrie deserves this honor because she puts everyone before herself. She

takes care of everyone in our building. EVERYONE. She has the biggest heart of

anyone I’ve ever met.”

Glenda Whitaker, Support Staff Finalist

Glenda Whitaker is the day lead custodian at Bridle Ridge Elementary. She has been working as a custodian in the Ray-Pec School District for 22 years.

From her nomination letter:

“Our school family depends on her for both our building and our community to

run smoothly. She is such a blessing to all who know her and we are grateful for

the opportunity to have her in our building.”