Employee Awards

Nomination Information:

• Who can be nominated? A Yakima School District employee who has served two years in a full-time role and has positively impacted students and the school community.
• Who can nominate? Anyone! Whether you are a student, a parent, a fellow educator, or a community member, your nomination can help highlight the incredible work happening in our district.
• How to nominate: Complete the digital nomination form by April 13, 2025, at 4:00 PM. Late submissions cannot be accepted.

Award Categories:

• Crystal Apple Award: Celebrating five outstanding educators who do not hold administrative positions. This is for those who inspire us every day in the classroom or through their teaching, coaching, and counseling. (YEA, Certificated Coaches, Certificated Nurses, Counselors)
• Shining Star Award: Recognizing up to five classified staff members who keep our schools running smoothly behind the scenes. (Teamsters 760, YABS, YAP, YEOP, PSE, YMA, YPTA, Exempt, OSG)
• Champion of Youth Award: The Yakima Schools Foundation's Champion of Youth Award recognizes a community member who impacts the lives of our students and empowers them to achieve academic and personal success. Nominees are seen as outstanding community members dedicated to strengthening public education, creating equity, and empowering students. They are committed to seeking ways to enhance student learning to ensure a brighter tomorrow.

• YSD superintendents, directors, school administrators, and previous recipients are not eligible.
  
  The chairs of the Crystal Apple Award are Carmela Solorzano and Drew Harris. The coordinator for the Shining Star Award is Chris Miller. The Champion Of Youth Award is coordinated by Shawna Masters at Director@yakimaschoolsfoundation.org.

The Excellence In Education Awards Ceremony will be in the Davis High School Auditorium on Thursday, May 8, 2025, at 5:00 PM. The cost is $5.00 per person. Nominees, their guests, Yakima School District students (with ID), and children five and under may attend for free.

Crystal Apple Nominees

This award honors the certified educator profession by awarding certificated individuals who positively impact the lives and futures of their students. Crystal Apple Awards are given by the business community in Yakima, not the district. The chairpersons of the Crystal Apple Awards this year are Carmela Solarzano and Drew Harris. The goals of the Crystal Apple Awards are to...

• Reward excellence in education in the Yakima Public Schools
• Encourage creative and quality instruction
• Encourage the development of a positive learning environment
• Encourage excellent educators to remain in education as a career
• Provide an incentive for individual initiative on the part of educators
• Contribute in a substantive way to the improvement of education in the Yakima School District.

 

Crystal Ancell, ECEAP Preschool Teacher at Discovery Early Learning

As a Preschool ECEAP Teacher, Crystal plays a vital role in providing highquality early education to students from low socio-economic backgrounds, those who are homeless, in foster care, migrant, or have Individual Education Plans (EIPs). Her classroom is a model of excellence, where her students are nurtured, supported, and empowered to reach their full potential.

Keshia Armstrong, Data Assessment TOSA at The Learning Center

Keisha is such a great mentor to her peers and superiors. She has a vast knowledge she accumulated in the assessment position and willingly walks everyone through both the assessment side and data side. Even if you are confused, she patiently slows down and never makes you feel like you are not able to learn. Everyone she works with feels she is just there to mentor them one on one. She makes you feel important. Makes your learning a priority.

Brian Beck, 9th -12th Grade Band, Jazz Band, & Percussion Ensemble at Davis High School

Brian knows every one of his students, many perhaps better than their families know them. They trust him and work incredibly hard for him, and the band room has become a second home (or a first) for them. As much as he is at school, students are almost always there, too.

Noemi Carrasco, Instructional Facilitator at Discovery Early Learning

Noemi has consistently demonstrated an unwavering passion and dedication to her role, embodying the qualities of a true instructional leader. Her thoughtfulness, initiative, and innovative spirit have significantly enhanced our educational environment and positively impacted our teachers' and students' growth and development.

Sara Esqueda, Special Education Preschool Teacher at Discovery Early Learning

Beyond her curriculum development, what truly sets Sara apart is her unwavering dedication to meeting the individual needs of her students. She has shown a remarkable ability to connect with students on a personal level, tailoring her approach to support each child’s unique learning journey. Sara’s patience and understanding have profoundly impacted our students, particularly those facing the most significant challenges.

Alba Gutierrez, ECEAP Preschool Teacher at Discovery Early Learning

One of Alba’s greatest strengths as an educator is her compassionate and empathetic leadership style. She leads by example, demonstrating kindness, understanding, and patience in all her interactions with students and colleagues alike. Her genuine care and concern for her students’ well-being create a supportive and nurturing learning environment where every child feels valued and respected.

Jessica Karstetter, Instructional Facilitator at Adams Elementary School

Jessica is a positive role model for our students and staff. Many times, she uses her positive flare of glitter, professionalism, fun, empathy, and authentic compassion for every single person who enters our school. Not only has she been supportive and provided security, but she pushes everyone—students, staff, and families—to be better than yesterday. The compassion, empathy, understanding, and love she’s got radiates to the people around our entire school.

Brooke Knobel, 6th-8th Grade Mild Self-Contained Special Education at Washington Middle School

Brooke has always focused on her students and how she may best serve them. She ensures that every student feels safe and loved in her classroom, fostering a positive learning environment. As an outgoing, enthusiastic individual, she strives to work closely with those in her teaching PLCs and professionals who need a friendly face. Over her 18 years of service for the Yakima School District, she has spent countless hours researching and studying the content areas she is teaching to ensure her students are as prepared as possible for life outside of school.

Maureen Lewis, 9th ,10th, 12th Grade ELA at Davis High School

On any given day, you can find Maureen working with students on assignments, helping students complete applications, attending and contributing to an IEP meeting, or holding National Honor Society meetings in her classroom. She has her students to high standards with grace and compassion and makes learning engaging for those fortunate to be in her classes. Her philosophy for education centers around the best interests of all students, ensuring they have access to and the ability to access highlevel, high-quality materials. She is always willing to go the extra mile to support students.

Jeffrey McFadden, 7th & 8th Grade CTE at Franklin Middle School

Jeff consistently makes a positive impact on students, staff, and families. His dedication to his teaching, passion, and unwavering commitment to excellence in all he touches enhance the lives of all around him. So, how does Jeff accomplish all this? It begins with fostering a supportive and inclusive learning environment and extending the love of learning beyond the classroom and school day. Jeff spends hours of his own time constantly tweaking how and what he teaches.

Julie McGregor, 5th Grade Teacher at Whitney Elementary School

One of the most remarkable aspects of Julie’s teaching approach is her ability to tailor instruction to meet the diverse needs of her students. Whether it is through differentiated lesson plans, personalized feedback, or one-on-one support, she goes above and beyond to ensure every child feels valued and supported in their educational journey. Julie fosters a classroom culture built on respect, empathy, and inclusivity.

Cheryl McMillan, 3rd – 5th Grade Special Education Teacher at Hoover Elementary School

Cheryl is one of those teachers you come across once in a great while. She is loved by her students, families, and colleagues. Students love her because she is kind, loving, fun, and truly cares about them. Cheryl gets to know every student in her class as a whole person. Cheryl is able to see exactly what each child brings to the community, and her teaching approach involves finding and using children’s unique strengths to help them overcome their struggles and develop a positive self-concept.

Amae Merrill, 3rd Grade STEAM Teacher at Roosevelt Elementary School

Amae is great at engaging with her classroom and keeping learning fun and interactive. Her teaching style helps hold the kids’ attention. She uses her creativity and encourages the students to do the same. Her organizational skills allow her to impart more information in the limited period of time she has for each subject. One of the key components is that she is very respectful of the students in her care. She takes the time to engage and ensure that all her students are seen and heard.

Rebecca Miller, Special Education Preschool at Discovery Early Learning

Rebecca fosters a culture of inclusivity and collaboration among students, parents, and fellow educators. Her impact extends beyond the walls of her classroom. Her dedication to advocating for the needs of special education students serves as an inspiration to us all. She embodies the essence of what it means to be a true educator—someone who not only imparts knowledge but also nurtures the hearts and minds of our future generations.

Nicole Mills, Child Development, Childcare Lab, IB Food Science at Davis High School

Nicole puts the students first every single day. She advocates and fights for their needs the way she would for her own children, and I find that commendable because not everyone you encounter in this field does. Family, Career, and Community Leaders of Americas (FCCLA) is a term I was unfamiliar with that I would always hear students talk about. I have since learned that it is one of the programs Nicole oversees at Davis, and some of the best students I’ve met want to pursue careers in this field because of Nicole’s instruction and knowledge.

Winona Nagle, Special Education Preschool at Discover Early Learning

Winona’s commitment to creating an inclusive learning environment is truly exemplary. She voluntarily leads an integrated classroom where students with Individual Education Plans (IEPs) learn alongside their peers without disabilities, fostering a sense of belonging and acceptance for all. Her dedication to inclusivity not only enriches her students' educational experience but also serves as a model of best practices for our entire school community.

Dominga (Sandy) Ozuna, 3rd Grade ELA, Math, Science, Social Studies and Citizenship at Garfield Elementary School

Great teachers possess tremendous conviction about their work for their students and families. This conviction is fueled by relentless optimism. Although Sandy would shyly tell you otherwise, she possesses relentless optimism. She is essentially one of those teachers who can change the direction of a school, a project, or a student’s life simply by naming her desire to see everyone get behind an idea.

Nicole Keely Roberts, Kindergarten and Behavioral Specialist at Whitney Elementary School

Nicole’s ability to forge strong relationships with students and parents is unparalleled. She creates a supportive community where everyone feels valued and involved through regular communication and inclusive classroom events. Her genuine compassion and empathy shine through in her interactions with students, providing them with academic guidance, emotional support, and understanding.

Elissa Russell, Counselor at Adams Elementary School

Elissa is a creative leader with a great sense of humor, which is a mandatory trait in education these days. The passion she and her husband (School Psych) have for our district and community is next-level servant leadership. This might be best displayed when she works with Trail-Seekers and her continued fight for kids who were dealt some challenging cards. She is a great coach for adult mentors and has a social-emotional skill set that helps us all understand empathy for the students and their parents.

Clemants See, College & Career Readiness Specialist/TOSA at Yakima Valley Technical Skills Center

Clem recognizes the diverse needs of the student population and steps up each time—to spearhead work alongside students with targeted initiatives designed to support all students. Uniquely, Clem has a visual lens with an equitable eye making sure to service underrepresented students and disadvantaged students. His efforts to level the playing field include mentorship programs, specialized workshops, and ‘Mr. See meeting time’ that equips the students with equitable access to resources.

Lauren Seymour, Speech and Language Pathologist at Discovery Early Learning

Lauren excels in translating data into actionable strategies that promote student success. She collaborates closely with educators, parents, and other professionals to develop holistic intervention plans that address academic and functional communication goals by continuously monitoring progress and adjusting her approaches as needed. Lauren empowers her students to make significant strides in their communication skills

John Soler, Assistant Principal at Discovery Early Learning

John works tirelessly to support teachers in addressing behavior concerns and implementing effective classroom management strategies. He serves as a valuable resource and sounding board for teachers, offering guidance, support, and innovative solutions to enhance the learning experience for all students. His ability to collaborate with staff to creatively utilize resources ensures that every student receives the support they need to thrive academically, socially, and emotionally.

Camille Soria, Academic Specialist at Whitney Elementary School

Camille has held a leadership role at Whitney for the last several years as the Academic Specialist. She is a key contributor to Whitney’s Building Leadership Team and Tier 2 committee. Though she is often quiet, she is a true leader among her peers. She generously shares her expertise and collaborates with staff.

Lacey Temple, 4th & 5th Grade Teacher at Garfield Elementary School

Lacey has supported an environment of inclusivity in her classroom. My student feels more a part of the class with his peers than he has in the past. Lacey has found a balance between allowing space for my student's differences while also being able to gently and kindly offer corrections to him and feedback for me as a parent.

Lorena Zamora, 1st Grade Dual Language at Martin Luther King, Jr. Elementary School

Lorena’s students know the routines and procedures of her classroom and the school. She knows so much about her students and has strong relationships with all of them and their parents. At parent-teacher conferences, she always tells me how much she likes them because she gets to learn so much about the students and their families.

Shining Star Nominees

The purpose of this award is to recognize the outstanding achievements of Yakima Public Schools’ classified employees. It honors those employees who consistently demonstrate outstanding work performance, exemplary leadership, collaboration, and dedication to the district and its mission every day.

Kymberly Salazar-Aills, Paraeducator at McClure Elementary School
As a Paraeducator at McClure Elementary, Kym consistently goes above and beyond in all she does; whether taking an extra minute to give positive reinforcements to students or tying shoes for the umpteenth time, Kym is there. She constantly shares new ideas with her classroom teacher to help students beyond the school day. Aside from her dedication in the classroom, Kym is actively involved in supporting students and programs in academics and athletics. She loves to celebrate students across the district, and her commitment to our YSD community comes from a genuine care for people. Thank you, Kym!

Kelsi Beaman, Paraeducator at Franklin Middle School
As a Paraeducator at Franklin Middle School, Kelsi is dedicated and patient when supporting self-contained students, ensuring she positively impacts them while they receive their daily education and exercise. She is the first person to offer her assistance when she sees a struggling student or staff member. Kelsi is not only a leader at her building, she is also a leader to the community. She owns two local businesses dedicated to contributing to the community: Mountain View Wildfire, which provides equipment to help prevent and suppress wildfires, and Playground Amusements, which attracts families to engage in active play and entertainment. Thank you, Kelsi!

Kim Coburn, Paraeducator at Whitney Elementary School
As a Paraeducator at Whitney Elementary, Kim’s dedication to her role for the last 15 years has been ‘unparalleled.’ Kim’s exceptional performance has positively impacted students as she has been trusted to work with the most challenging group in math and reading. Her skills have been shown in her students' growth. Kim loves to build positive relationships with staff, students and parents, she is also a self-driven individual who is committed to self-improvement by consistently seeking out professional development opportunities for growth in her role. Thank you, Kim!

Barbara Fiscus, Administrative Assistant at Central Services
In her role as the Administrative Assistant to the Superintendent, Barb has consistently demonstrated an exceptional level of dedication, professionalism, commitment, and attention to detail to ensure a smooth operation of the Superintendent’s Office. Barb’s availability to foster a positive workplace and build professional relationships is ‘unparalleled’. Barb has a caring personality, positive demeanor, and welcoming personality that makes her easy to talk to. Regardless of what is going on throughout the day, you will always find Barb with a smile on her face. One of her colleagues noted ‘what truly sets Barb apart is her unequaled positivity, energy, and can-do attitude’. Her positivity and contributions to the Yakima School Districts do not go unnoticed. Thank you Barb!

Maria Gonzalez, Program Specialist at Discovery Early Learning
As a Program Specialist at Early Learning, Maria has successfully coordinated the stringent standards outlined for ECEAP and Childcare, resulting in compliance and continuity by creating a sustainable substitute pool. A supervisor shared, “Although Maria’s contributions may primarily occur behind the scenes, her efforts profoundly impact our ability to deliver high-quality education and support to our students. Thank you, Maria!

Julie Lantis, Leadership and Accountability Program Coordinator at Central Services
Dedicated, professional, organized, and compassionate are just a few ways to describe Julie Lantis. As an Office Manager at The Learning Center, Julie consistently serves as an “anchor.” Keeping her colleagues and supervisors grounded with unmatched enthusiasm and flexibility. Julie is described as having an exemplary work ethic, and her kind demeanor and focus on detail ensure every project she undertakes is completed to the highest standard, all while supporting her team to ensure success for staff and, ultimately, our students. Thank you, Julie!

Addie Melton, Paraeducator at Franklin Middle School
As a Paraeducator at Franklin Middle School, Addie attends to the needs of our diverse self-contained students beyond their academic needs; she helps them build friendships with peers outside of their typical classroom. Addie’s compassion makes students feel safe and comfortable enough to approach her and share their struggles. She actively listens and offers ways to overcome them. Addie’s ability to de-escalate a student’s dangerous behavior is outstanding. Her willingness to go above and beyond in all areas to ensure a quality learning environment for students has not been unnoticed by her peers. Thank you, Addie!

Whitney McCulloch, Paraeducator at Nob Hill Elementary School
As a Paraeducator at Nob Hill Elementary, Whitney goes above and beyond in the classroom to help her students and classroom teacher. She plays a key role in assisting the paraeducator team in creating SMART goals and action plans to address ongoing issues with students. As a result, there has been a decrease in referrals due to discipline on the playground. Whitney’s integrity and dedication have led her to be a trusted leader by her peers as she has represented the paraeducators on the Instructional Leadership Team (ILT) for several years. Thank you, Whitney!

Shannon Ostriem, Paraeducator at Discovery Early Learning
Widely regarded as a trusted confidant and mentor by her colleagues, Shannon brings a warm sense of humor and joy into her role as a paraeducator at Early Learning. She is a master at navigating conversations with students without resorting to using external rewards by helping students find intrinsic motivation. She is nothing short of invaluable in the classroom for our young learners. Thank you, Shannon!

Margarita Pacheco, Paraeducator at Discovery Early Learning
As a team player, Margarita consistently goes above and beyond to support her colleagues as a paraeducator at Early Learning. Her collaborative spirit fosters a sense of unity and cohesion within the school community, enriching the overall learning experience for students and staff alike. Margarita consistently steps up when volunteers are needed for school-wide initiatives and events. A colleague shared, “I don’t know what I would do without Margarita supporting our students in their early learning journey. Thank you, Margarita!

Agustin Reynaga Jr., Paraeducator at Discovery Early Learning
As a Paraeducator in an early learning classroom, Agustin exhibits impressive attention to detail and a commitment to ensuring the safety and well-being of all students under his care. Among Agustin’s many admirable qualities is his dedication, which extends beyond the classroom. This includes driving across town to assist with bus riding duties and, most notably, actively participating in initiatives such as the Inclusive Champions Book Study. Thank you, Agustin!

Kelli Riddle, Director of Special Education at Special Education Services
Kelli started her journey with the Yakima School District 19 years ago as an Early Childhood Special Education Teacher. Since then, she has moved into her current leadership role as one of our Directors of Special Education. Kelli’s work ethic shows in her monthly meeting with our Speech Language Pathologists and Speech Assistants, where she supports them professionally and personally and ensures her team is adequately staffed. Kelli has an ‘open door’ policy, which allows her to be available when staff and families need her assistance, making her visible and responsive. A family has been so pleased with Kelli’s efforts to help their son that they said, “We noticed right away her ability to put our student’s interest first. We were able to count on her because she kept her word, and we depended on her. She is truly special, and we, as district parents, are lucky to have her.” Thank you, Kelli!

Jose Robles, Student & Family Liaison at Garfield Elementary School
As a Student & Family Liaison at Garfield Elementary, Jose has profoundly impacted students, families, and the community. His relentless yet compassionate focus on supporting students and families is the primary contributing factor to Garfieled’s average daily attendance rate from 70% to over 90%. He regularly provides praise and encouragement to all students and goes above and beyond to ensure support is available and provided for those who need it. One parent noted, “My daughter has created a special relationship with him, she has had more success at school because of his efforts.” Thank you, Jose!

Ana Villasenor, Language Access Supervisor at Communications and Engagement
Ana’s journey in the Yakima School District spans almost 30 years, beginning as a Paraeducator for YSD and moving into her current leadership role as the Language Access Supervisor. Ana has proven to be an incredibly reliable professional and has consistently demonstrated high job performance through her initiatives to enhance language accessibility. She also consistently demonstrates a positive and collaborative professional relationship with staff, students, families, and the general public. Thank you, Ana!

Danielle Woodcock, Paraeducator at Discovery Early Learning
Described as possessing an exceptional ability to connect with students on a personal level, Danielle embodies the true spirit of excellence, professionalism, and compassion as a paraeducator at Early Learning. She has led many community events at Children’s Village and MOPS to assist parents and support students. Her dedication to our students' well-being is truly inspiring. Thank you, Danielle!

 

Cathy Blessing
Cathy Blessing is a K8 Virtual Schools Liaison to the Christian Life Center and makes a difference for students by helping motivate them to make satisfactory progress. Every month, she helps students make donations to local charities. The incentives motivate students working from home, where distractions and challenges might cause them to miss learning opportunities. The motivational program is only possible with the help of Cathy. She increases our students' desire to learn and donate to the Humane Society, Children's Hospital, or Camp Hope.

Christina Carlson
Christina Carlson is a retired Yakima School District employee who never stops finding new ways to get involved in her community. As a mentor at Washington Middle School for the past three years, she’s created meaningful relationships that positively impact her mentee’s life. She attends all the mentoring events, encourages others to get involved, and goes out of her way to help students when their mentor is absent. Christina is also a retired YSF board member who still volunteers and supports YSF’s work. Her portfolio of volunteer work is a clear blueprint of how you can stay involved in the community while impacting youth and families.

Tina Culbertson
Tina is an LPN nurse who works for a nursing home where Yakima/YV-TECH students complete their supervised clinical rotation hours required for their state NAC licensing exam. Her professional conduct and dedication have significantly influenced the quality of education for developing professionals and the care provided in our community. Tina has been our students' supervisor, mentor, teacher, and role model. She brings a wealth of knowledge and experience to her role, which she shares generously to ensure that the next generation of healthcare providers are skilled, compassionate, and ethical. Her dedication to excellence is evident in every aspect of her work.

Donnie Ide
Donnie is a retired business and marketing teacher of 28 years from Edmonds School District and volunteers at Davis High School every morning, welcoming students, parents, visitors, and staff on campus. Donnie extends a warm welcome to all who arrive on campus every morning, rain or shine. He greets thousands by name, demonstrating an intimate knowledge of families and personal lives. Donnie’s presence is a beacon of positivity on the campus, embodying the spirit of community and kindness. He has been an integral part of the Davis High School community volunteer and faith-based group since August 2023. Donnie also volunteered at the Madison House, tutored youth, and volunteered at Grace of Christ Presbyterian Church.

Click Here to View the Past Winners of the Crystal Apple Award

The business community awards the annual Crystal Apple awards for Yakima School District certificated employees like teachers, counselors, etc.

Click Here to View the Past Winners of the Shining Star Award

Our Shining Star award, known historically as the classified employee of the year award has been awarded to over 150 employees in the Yakima School District. We look forward to adding more to the list this year!