Employee Rock Stars

Rock Star

DCSD Rock Stars is a program created that recognizes and celebrates the accomplishments and outstanding work of DCSD employees. Nominated by District leaders, managers, and peers, ‘Rock Stars’ are recognized in INSIGHTS, the DCSD employee newsletter, and receive a small gift from DCSD. 

Is there somebody you would like to recognize? Nominate them by clicking here!
(Note: Nominations are only accepted by DCSD Employees for DCSD Employees)


Becky Beringson, Admin Assistant, Counseling Department, Sagewood Middle School

In your opinion, specifically, what makes this person a Rock Star?

Becky is a joy to work with! She keeps us organized, supports the counselors, and most of all, is a positive light for all students who come into the counseling office. She is always willing to help and jump in where needed. We couldn't do our jobs without her.

How has this person gone above and beyond? (please give an example)

Becky is always positive and welcoming to students who may need support behaviorally and emotionally. She is calm, kind, and always looking for ways to make our department run smoother.

Nominated by

Sonya Churchill, School Counselor, Sagewood Middle School



Jessica Harris, Educational Assistant, Sage Canyon Elementary

In your opinion, specifically, what makes this person a Rock Star?

Jessica works hard to make our school a better place. She puts in so much time, wears so many hats, and does it all with such a great attitude and a smile!

How has this person gone above and beyond? (please give an example)

Jessica coordinates our EA schedule, covers classrooms whenever needed, and has taken on our library and book fair. She also created and organized an award for hallway behavior in our school called, "The Boot". Jessica always seeks ways to help others and make our school amazing.

Nominated by

Heather Pepper, GT Facilitator, Sage Canyon Elementary

 

Elizabeth Bates, Counselor, Trailblazer Elementary School

In your opinion, specifically, what makes this person a Rock Star?

Beth is so kind and caring. She always thinks about the kid's welfare and feelings and does the right thing, even when it is difficult. She deals with children, parents, and staff with total professionalism and respect. She is a true asset to TBE! We are lucky to have her here.

How has this person gone above and beyond? (please give an example)

Beth thinks of new and exciting ways to engage with the students and always has a pulse on what is happening around school. She purchases new items for her office and Base Camp often to keep the kids engaged and she is very easy to talk with.

Nominated by

Heather Kramarczyk, Registrar, Trailblazer Elementary School


Whitney Tomlin, Math Teacher, Ranch View Middle School

In your opinion, specifically, what makes this person a Rock Star?

Whitney has recently transitioned from teaching elementary to middle school students and is crushing it! She has great relationships with students and goes above and beyond to ensure students meet their learning goals.

How has this person gone above and beyond? (please give an example)

Moving from having 35 students to having 160+ is highly challenging, but Whitney is staying true to her core values of connecting with each and every student and intervening when they need extra support. She tracks individual progress and goes above and beyond to provide intervention so all students are successful!

Your Name:

Erin Isley, Coordinator, International Baccalaureate, Ranch View Middle School

 

Joni Rummell, Fifth-Grade Teacher, Sedalia Elementary

In your opinion, specifically, what makes this person a Rock Star?

Joni goes above and beyond the classroom to enrich students' academic experience.

How has this person gone above and beyond? (please give an example)

In her classroom, she is supportive and encouraging to students at all times. When multilingual learners come into her classroom, she makes them feel welcome and safe from the very first day. She knows that our newcomers need a safe place in order to take risks to learn a new language. She also spends her personal time before and after school in the fall working with students who are participating in Parker Performing Arts to build their creativity in drama and expand their academic experience. She is the true definition of an effective educator who makes an impact every day.

Nominated by

Michelle Stark, ELD Specialist, Sedalia Elementary

 

Kenny Perkin, Mild/Moderate Interventionist, Castle View High School

In your opinion, specifically, what makes this person a Rock Star?

Kenny is one of the most innovative members of our SPED team. He is constantly working to meet the needs of all students and provide engaging and relevant lessons in his Resource classes. He has developed amazing relationships with our students and families.

How has this person gone above and beyond? (please give an example)

I am most grateful for his willingness to step up and support teachers with our new co-teaching model. He makes sure they have the tools needed to help all students and has worked hard this year to create differentiated opportunities for students with all abilities in the history department.

Nominated by

Kelsey Parisi, Mild/Mod SPED Interventionist, Castle View High School

 

Sara Shriver, BASE Manager, Pioneer Elementary

In your opinion, specifically, what makes this person a Rock Star?

Sara has been quietly supporting Tim and the Wildcat BASE program while he is short-staffed. When I say quietly she might not realize I know the impact she is making and Tim shares with me what a huge support she has been. Being a BASE manager has many different responsibilities but the fact that she is supporting her colleague without being asked makes her impact bigger than her community at Pioneer. Sara, thank you for supporting Tim and the kids and families at Wildcat.

How has this person gone above and beyond? (please give an example)

Sara has gone above and beyond by recognizing an important need in our system with staffing challenges. She faces many of the same staffing challenges herself and still shows up for the families at both schools and communities with her calm, positive demeanor. 

Nominated by

Denise Nichols, BASE Area Manager

 

Hannah Moag, School Social Worker, Pioneer Elementary School

In your opinion, specifically, what makes this person a Rock Star?

Hannah Moag is AMAZING! Hannah is our incredible social worker at Pioneer Elementary School. She works closely with our Affective Needs program staff and students on a daily basis. Hannah has an incredibly calm demeanor and is always ready to jump in and diffuse a situation. The relationships she has built with her students have made her a trusted adult and a feeling of comfort.

How has this person gone above and beyond? (please give an example)

Hannah has helped rebuild our Affective Needs program from the ground up alongside the AN teacher. She has developed individual schedules, provided social-emotional learning, and built relationships with staff and students. You always see Hannah working with a student or working to improve the AN program. Hats off to Hannah!!

Nominated by

Jacalyn Drake, GT Facilitator, Pioneer Elementary School

 

Jennie Zwiers, Registrar, Chaparral High School

In your opinion, specifically, what makes this person a Rock Star?

Jennie is a Rock Star Registrar! She has tips and tricks that she is always willing to share. I did not know about a feature in Express Check-In and she was happy to share it with me and teach everyone. She is willing to help new registrars with their questions as well. She created a group chat with her feeder registrars to help create a sense of team for them beyond their building.

How has this person gone above and beyond? (please give an example)

Jennie is a problem solver. There has been an issue with adding grades to transfer students on their transcripts. Jennie worked with the high school registrars as well as other district departments to create a quicker and more efficient way to add transfer grades onto transcripts saving high school registrars so much time! It is great to have this in place for all of our high schools and something that will help ensure that the right credit is given to students as we move forward. Jennie is a Rock Star and we are glad to have her in our ranks.

Nominated by

Christine Romanello, Student Data Specialist, West Support Center

 

Susan Butterfield, District Receptionist & HR Assistant, Wilcox

In your opinion, specifically, what makes this person a Rock Star?

Susy is a Rock Star for so many reasons. She is kind, approachable, hardworking, and most of all, welcoming!

How has this person gone above and beyond? (please give an example)

My first encounter with Susy was over the summer. I needed to get into the Wilcox Building early in the morning to set up for training and I was stressed that I would not be able to do that before the building opened for the day. I needed to be set up for my training and ready for when the building opened and the teachers arrived. Susy helped me get in touch with several people who would help me not only be there for me bright and early, but she also had the tech guy, Robert, in the building to help me set up my computer along with the custodian in case I needed help with supplies. She made my whole experience hassle-free and let me focus on my training. She is amazing at what she does. Douglas County is very lucky to have her as our district receptionist.

Nominated by

Nancy Wensuc, Dyslexia Literacy Specialist

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In compliance with Titles VI & VII of the Civil Rights Act of 1964, Title IX of the Education Amendments of 1972, Section 504 of the Rehabilitation Act of 1973, the Age Discrimination in Employment Act of 1967, the Americans with Disabilities Act, the Genetic Information Nondiscrimination Act of 2008, and Colorado law, the Douglas County School District RE-1 does not unlawfully discriminate against otherwise qualified students, employees, applicants for employment, or members of the public on the basis of disability, race, creed, color, sex, sexual orientation, marital status, national origin, religion, ancestry, or need for special education services. Discrimination against employees and applicants for employment based on age, genetic information, and conditions related to pregnancy or childbirth is also prohibited in accordance with state and/or federal law. Complaint procedures have been established for students, parents, employees, and members of the public. The School District's Compliance Officer and Title IX Coordinator to address complaints alleging sexual harassment under Title IX is Aaron Henderson, 620 Wilcox Street, Castle Rock, Colorado, [email protected], 303-387-0127.

Outside Agencies

Complaints regarding violations of Title VI, (race, national origin), Title IX (sex, gender), Section 504/ADA (handicap or disability), may be filed directly with the Office for Civil Rights, U.S. Department of Education, 1244 North Speer Blvd., Suite 310, Denver, CO 80204. Complaints regarding violations of Title VII (employment) and the ADEA (prohibiting age discrimination in employment) may be filed directly with the Federal Office of Equal Employment Opportunity Commission, 303 E. 17th Ave., Suite 510, Denver, CO 80202, or the Colorado Civil Rights Commission, 1560 Broadway, Suite 1050, Denver, CO 80202.

NOTICE OF DESTRUCTION OF SPECIAL EDUCATION RECORDS

Special Education records which have been collected by Douglas County School District related to the identification, evaluation, educational placement, or the provision of special education in the district, must be maintained under state and federal laws for the period of five (5) years after special education services have ended for the student. Special education services end when the student is no longer eligible for services, graduates, or completes his/her educational program at age 21, or moves from the district. This notification is to inform parents/guardians and former students of Douglas County School District's intent to destroy the special education records of students who exited special education services as of June 30, 2016. These records will be destroyed in accordance with state law unless the parent/guardian or eligible (adult) student notifies the school district otherwise. After five years, the records are no longer useful to the district, but may be useful to the parent/guardian or former student in applying for social security benefits, rehabilitation services, college entrance, etc. The parent/guardian or eligible (adult) student may request a copy of the records by requesting the records at this link ( Douglas County School District Transcripts and Records Requests ).