Angela Thelen, a registered nurse in the Sioux City Preschool Program
"Angela is invaluable to Clark and the Preschool Initiative. In addition to prioritizing health and well-being of our students, Angela cares for our team in ways that can't be measured. She consistently jumps in to support others and ensures the building continues to operate successfully. Her thoughtful, compassionate and caring approach soothes all. Angela is one in a million and we are so grateful she is ours!"
Ashley Miller, a second grade teacher at Liberty Elementary School
"Ashley does an outstanding job of maintaining positivity and professionalism under pressure. Through caring and encouraging interactions, Ashley quickly established a classroom environment designed for a successful year. Recently, when a student with no prior formal schooling and unique support needs joined the class, Ashley provided a warm welcome and thoughtful support throughout the transition. Each day, Ashley offered encouragement, helped the student engage with the curriculum, and modeled respectful, purposeful interactions for the class. Despite frequent disruptions and the presence of multiple adults in the classroom, Ashley remained focused on meeting the needs of every student. The positive culture within the classroom allowed students to continue learning and interacting productively, even during challenging situations. We are fortunate to have Ashley 'Making It Happen' at Liberty!"
Kai McCreadie, an attendance specialist at Morningside Elementary School
"Kai has such a calm and welcoming presence and always has a friendly smile for students, staff, and families. He has a natural ability to connect with students and build meaningful, lasting relationships. Kids know he is someone they can trust, and he has a way of making them feel seen, supported, and valued. His positive impact goes far beyond attendance, and his presence makes a difference in our school every day. We are very lucky to have him as part of our school!"
Savana Antle, a special education teacher at Perry Creek Elementary School
"Savana has done a phenomenal job helping our Resource team start the school year organized, prepared, and ready to support students. She has put a tremendous amount of time and effort into coordinating Resource schedules, organizing student services, and creating para schedules to ensure everyone knows where they need to be and that our students are receiving the support they need. Beyond all of the work she has done behind the scenes, Savana is someone who is always willing to lend a helping hand. When she sees a need, she steps in without hesitation. Whether she is supporting a student, helping a colleague, problem-solving a schedule, or simply pitching in wherever she is needed, Savana consistently puts the needs of our students and staff first. Savana brings patience, kindness, flexibility, and positivity to Perry Creek each day. She comes to work with a smile on her face, approaches challenges with a positive attitude, and is always willing to work together to find a solution. Her dedication and willingness to go above and beyond make a difference not only for our Resource team, but throughout our entire building. We are incredibly fortunate to have Savana as part of the Perry Creek family. She is a tremendous asset to our students, staff, and Resource team, and we appreciate everything she does to help make Perry Creek a great place to learn and work."
Hannah Strand, a third grade teacher at Loess Hills Elementary School
'Hannah consistently goes above and beyond for her students and families. She genuinely wants to help every student and always works to do what is best for each child. Hannah thoughtfully plans her lessons to ensure she is reaching and supporting all of her students. She also gives her time to support our school by serving on Building Leadership Team A and the Safety Committee, as well as working with a student teacher. Hannah is a wonderful example of what it means to be a Loess Hills teacher, and we are fortunate to have her on our team!"
Jacqueline Kennedy, a first grade teacher at Hunt Elementary School
"Jacqueline is an outstanding first grade teacher who consistently provides high-quality instruction and creates a classroom environment where students feel safe, supported, and excited to learn. She has a wonderful ability to build strong relationships with her students while maintaining high expectations and helping each child grow academically and personally. Her classroom community is a reflection of the care, positivity, and dedication she brings to Hunt each day.
Jacqueline is also a tremendous teammate and a valuable leader within our school. She works collaboratively with staff members, is always willing to share ideas and support others, and approaches challenges with a positive attitude. As a member of our Building Leadership Academic Team, Jacqueline contributes her time and expertise to help strengthen instruction and improve outcomes for all Hunt students. Her willingness to step up and be involved demonstrates her commitment not only to her own students, but to the success of our entire school.
Most recently, Jacqueline volunteered to serve as our Hunt representative for the Woo Crew, another example of her willingness to give her time and energy to make Hunt an even better place to work. Jacqueline consistently goes above and beyond, and her positive attitude, professionalism, collaboration, and dedication to students make a difference throughout our building. We are incredibly fortunate to have Jacqueline as part of the Hunt family. We appreciate everything you do for our students and staff!"
Carrie Hubert, a tenth grade English teacher at North High School
"Carrie is an exceptional educator and leader who consistently goes above and beyond to support both her colleagues and students. Carrie provides strong leadership while creating an environment where others feel supported and valued. She is always willing to listen, offer guidance and share her knowledge and experience with others. She collaborates well with others and seeks out feedback about students to help improve her instruction. Finally, she is always working towards improving student achievement and forming relationships with her students."\
Maria Sanchez, an ESL tutor at Bryant Elementary School
"Maria goes out of her way to build sincere and meaningful connections with students. She is intentional about helping each student grow as a learner and thoughtfully considers how she can support them successfully overcome challenges.
Beyond the support she provides in her role as an EL Tutor, Maria is the ultimate team player. She is always willing—and genuinely happy—to step in and support students and staff wherever she is needed. Maria’s generous heart, positive spirit, and dedication to others make a meaningful difference at Bryant. We are incredibly grateful to have her as part of our Bryant community."
Gary Niles, a construction trades teacher at the Sioux City Career Academy
"Mr. Niles took on the Trades program full time this year. He has made this program a massive success and continues to be a the keystone in graduating students that are industry ready. This community has been blessed by Mr. Niles in so many capacities and we are very lucky to have him working with children!"
Annette East, a building assistant at East Middle School
"Annette consistently goes above and beyond in her role and is someone the team can always count on. She handles phone calls with professionalism and patience while also providing excellent support to students and parents. She is kind, courteous, and approachable, making others feel heard and respected. When challenges arise, Annette is a great problem solver who takes the initiative to find solutions and ensure that issues are handled efficiently. Her willingness to help, positive attitude, and dedication to supporting both coworkers and families make her a valuable member of our team. Keep being great!"
Jamie Bratvold, a teacher on special assignment at Leeds Elementary School
"Mrs. Bratvold joined our Leeds team in mid August and she jumped right in during an already busy time of planning, preparing, and getting ready for a new school year. In a short amount of time, she has become an important part of our Leeds team and someone staff and students know they can turn to for support, encouragement, and help finding a solution.
Mrs. Bratvold brings a positive attitude, supportive presence, and team-first mindset to Leeds each day. From thoughtfully planning professional development and helping staff navigate technology to jumping in wherever an extra hand is needed, Mrs. Bratvold consistently looks for ways to support those around her.
Perhaps most important, Mrs. Bratvold is always willing to figure things out alongside others. Whether something is new, challenging, or unexpected, she approaches it with patience, flexibility, and a willingness to help however she can.
Stepping into a new role and a new building with little time to prepare is no small task, but Mrs. Bratvold has embraced it with positivity and has already made a meaningful impact on our students, staff, and school community.
Thank you, Mrs. Bratvold, for helping our Future Stars and entire staff LEVEL UP!"
Stephanie Hames, a counselor at West High School
"Stephanie shows up each and every day and gives her all to the students of West High. She knows what's best for students and does everything she can to get them the support they need. When other staff members need help, Steph doesn't hesitate to jump in. She knows that by making each other stronger, we're all better as a result. In addition to her outstanding work ethic, she is fun to be around and always a kind presence. We absolutely adore her at West High."
Nodland Elementary School Food Service Team (Beth, Lisa, Desyeray, and Crystal)
"Each day, these four individuals do far more than prepare and serve meals. They create a welcoming environment for our students, greet them with smiles, and help ensure that every Future Raider is ready to learn. Their hard work behind the scenes keeps our cafeteria running smoothly, while their positive attitudes and genuine care for students make a lasting impact on our school community. They demonstrate teamwork, dedication, and a commitment to excellence. While their efforts might go unnoticed by some, we see and feel the difference they make in our building!"
Dr. Cindy Riker, a teacher at East High School
"Cindy has taken on the exciting challenge of a new role this school year. She is teaching Social Studies to our ELD/ELL students while also mentoring a student teacher. She has embraced these responsibilities with enthusiasm, dedication, and a commitment to helping all students succeed.
As a highly qualified, talented, and bilingual educator, Cindy creates a welcoming classroom where students feel supported, valued, and engaged. He warm heart, professionalism, and passion for teaching have earned the respect of both colleagues and students. Congratulations, Cindy!"
Dave Nash, a seventh grade special education teacher at North Middle School
"Mr. Nash is doing such an amazing job in his new role at North Middle. He is so helpful and supports our special education classrooms. Mr. Nash is supportive of not only students, but also teachers and staff. We are fortunate to have him at North Middle!"
Denise Jensen, a second grade teacher at Riverside Elementary School
"Denise rises to the occasion in so many ways! Even when her workload is full, she finds ways to help outside of her classroom, and offers to join committees. She's a true team player and cares about the staff and students. She creates a wonderful classroom environment for her students and cares deeply about each of them. She's a valuable part of Riverside Elementary!"
Shawna Sonksen, a kindergarten teacher at Spalding Park Elementary School
"Shawna is optimistic and positive. She helps students with specific needs and is a positive light for her team. She is always willing to take on a challenge and goes above and beyond to build connections with her students, making them feel safe, loved and welcome at school."
Imelda Garcia, an ELD specialist at Irving Elementary School
"Imelda is a collaborative educator who is committed to supporting students and staff. She works alongside teachers to co-plan and teach Tier 1 instruction that supports language acquisition and helps meet the needs of all learners. Sra. Garcia also serves on the Foundations Team, helping to strengthen school-wide systems and processes.
She is always willing to share her knowledge through collaborative planning or professional development sessions. She advocates for our students and their families, and volunteers for school events. Her teamwork, leadership, and dedication make a positive difference in our school community."
Joe Crabtree, a warehouse manager at Operations & Maintenance
"Joe is a positive, hardworking member of our O&M team who is always ready to lend a hand. He takes great pride in keeping the district warehouse well maintained, while ensuring the needs of our schools are addressed quickly and efficiently.
Whether it’s storing materials, picking up items, making deliveries, or responding to the everyday needs of our buildings, Joe can always be counted on to get the job done. His positive attitude, reliability, and willingness to help make a difference throughout the district every day.
Congratulations, Joe, and thank you for everything you do for SCCSD!"
Jenna Christensen, a teacher at West Middle School
"Jenna is a dedicated and compassionate educator whose leadership, organization, and positive attitude make her an invaluable member of the Wildcat team. She has embraced new responsibilities, helped develop the Pre-AP English course, and created meaningful learning experiences for students. Jenna’s commitment to collaboration, continuous growth, and supporting both students and colleagues makes her highly deserving of Staff Member of the Month!"
Kim Smith, benefits manager at the Educational Service Center
Kim was recognized for embodying what it means to be a helping hand no matter where support is needed. In her nomination, Kim was recognized for "stepping in when someone needs encouragement... showing up with compassion, reliability, and heart. Kim makes a difference for employees during challenging moments. Her willingness to serve others does not go unnoticed."
Thank you, Kim, for your tireless work on behalf of team members throughout the District.