Kyleen Welch, Math Interventionist at Roosevelt Elementary School
She is nominated by colleague Jennifer Roscher and supported by Principal Nancy Smith and parent Ashley Jaramillo. Jennifer had this to say about Kyleen— “to kick off the school year, Mrs. Welch takes the time to meet individually with each student to discover what is important to them—what grabs their attention—and then she incorporates these connections into her daily lessons. In one particular lesson, Mrs. Welch re-writes math word problems with a student’s name and an interest. This immediately grabs the class’s attention and instantly shows students that she listens and cares.” Courtesy: Yakima School District
Kyleen Welch, Math Interventionist at Roosevelt Elementary School
She is nominated by colleague Jennifer Roscher and supported by Principal Nancy Smith and parent Ashley Jaramillo. Jennifer had this to say about Kyleen— “to kick off the school year, Mrs. Welch takes the time to meet individually with each student to discover what is important to them—what grabs their attention—and then she incorporates these connections into her daily lessons. In one particular lesson, Mrs. Welch re-writes math word problems with a student’s name and an interest. This immediately grabs the class’s attention and instantly shows students that she listens and cares.” Courtesy: Yakima School District
Analisa Montemayor, Counselor at Franklin Middle School
She is nominated by colleague Joe Rodriguez and supported by a community member and former student, Jazmin Vargas, and colleague Sherry Anderson. Jazmin had this to say about Analisa— “She made a plan specifically for me to follow every trimester. She would consistently check up on my grades and schedule tutoring for me in the library. I was in disbelief that someone cared so much about my education and receiving the support I desperately needed at the time when I felt alone and had no support." Courtesy: Yakima School District
Analisa Montemayor, Counselor at Franklin Middle School
She is nominated by colleague Joe Rodriguez and supported by a community member and former student, Jazmin Vargas, and colleague Sherry Anderson. Jazmin had this to say about Analisa— “She made a plan specifically for me to follow every trimester. She would consistently check up on my grades and schedule tutoring for me in the library. I was in disbelief that someone cared so much about my education and receiving the support I desperately needed at the time when I felt alone and had no support." Courtesy: Yakima School District
Anita "Chris" DeMonbrun, Third Grade Teacher at Gilbert Elementary School
She is nominated by colleague Jeff Chapman, and supported by Principal Stephanie Rosbach and colleague, parent, and community member Crystal Morrill. Stephanie Rosbach had this to say about Mrs. DeMonbrun— “On the first day of school she wore a giant bee costume all day with her students. During remote learning, Mrs. D wore different silly glasses and headbands every day to help make learning fun, even online Mrs. D begins each day with a dance party so students can get their wiggles out and shake off any bad vibes before learning begins.” Courtesy: Yakima School District
Anita "Chris" DeMonbrun, Third Grade Teacher at Gilbert Elementary School
She is nominated by colleague Jeff Chapman, and supported by Principal Stephanie Rosbach and colleague, parent, and community member Crystal Morrill. Stephanie Rosbach had this to say about Mrs. DeMonbrun— “On the first day of school she wore a giant bee costume all day with her students. During remote learning, Mrs. D wore different silly glasses and headbands every day to help make learning fun, even online Mrs. D begins each day with a dance party so students can get their wiggles out and shake off any bad vibes before learning begins.” Courtesy: Yakima School District
Caitlin Lindborg, Instructional Facilitator at Nob Hill Elementary School
She is nominated by colleague Phillip Roberts and supported by Principal Erin Thomas and colleague Lora Dykes. Philip had this to say about Caitlin— “During remote learning, we had yet to make contact with some very elusive students and their families. Caitlin took the initiative to contact a friend of the family who knew a cousin who had a connection with a grandmother who knew of the student’s situation, all the while employing her Spanish skills to make the appropriate contacts. Days later we delivered materials to that student and had her back in attendance as we transitioned to hybrid learning.” Courtesy: Yakima School District
Caitlin Lindborg, Instructional Facilitator at Nob Hill Elementary School
She is nominated by colleague Phillip Roberts and supported by Principal Erin Thomas and colleague Lora Dykes. Philip had this to say about Caitlin— “During remote learning, we had yet to make contact with some very elusive students and their families. Caitlin took the initiative to contact a friend of the family who knew a cousin who had a connection with a grandmother who knew of the student’s situation, all the while employing her Spanish skills to make the appropriate contacts. Days later we delivered materials to that student and had her back in attendance as we transitioned to hybrid learning.” Courtesy: Yakima School District
Carl Scott, Math Teacher at A.C. Davis High School
He is nominated by colleague Lynne Greene and supported by colleagues Shawn Borup and Juan Monroy. Rob Tyrell a colleague of Carl had this to say— “As far as being creative, Carl led the charge into new territory by advocating the ‘team taught’ concept where students with special needs learn alongside of regular education peers, a half-and-half model if you will.” Rob pointed out “…after trailing one class, the successful program quickly morphed into a full-time program, benefitting Special Needs kids who were then (and now) able to fully access Algebra and Geometry classes.” Courtesy: Yakima School District
Carl Scott, Math Teacher at A.C. Davis High School
He is nominated by colleague Lynne Greene and supported by colleagues Shawn Borup and Juan Monroy. Rob Tyrell a colleague of Carl had this to say— “As far as being creative, Carl led the charge into new territory by advocating the ‘team taught’ concept where students with special needs learn alongside of regular education peers, a half-and-half model if you will.” Rob pointed out “…after trailing one class, the successful program quickly morphed into a full-time program, benefitting Special Needs kids who were then (and now) able to fully access Algebra and Geometry classes.” Courtesy: Yakima School District
Erin Thomas, Principal at Nob Hill Elementary School
She is nominated by colleague Lora Dykes and supported by colleagues Colleen Kaluzny and Maira Viveros. Lora had this to say about Erin— “Mrs. Thomas develops strong relationships with all of us. She genuinely cares about us and our wellbeing. She supports us, motivates us, and inspires us to always want to do more and to always be the best we can be. The positive climate she has created in our building brings out the best in us, and therefore we can bring out the best in our students. When teachers are at their best, they can really motivate kids to succeed. It all starts at the top. Because of the respect we have for Mrs. Thomas, we feel that we aren’t working under her, but with her.” Courtesy: Yakima School District
Erin Thomas, Principal at Nob Hill Elementary School
She is nominated by colleague Lora Dykes and supported by colleagues Colleen Kaluzny and Maira Viveros. Lora had this to say about Erin— “Mrs. Thomas develops strong relationships with all of us. She genuinely cares about us and our wellbeing. She supports us, motivates us, and inspires us to always want to do more and to always be the best we can be. The positive climate she has created in our building brings out the best in us, and therefore we can bring out the best in our students. When teachers are at their best, they can really motivate kids to succeed. It all starts at the top. Because of the respect we have for Mrs. Thomas, we feel that we aren’t working under her, but with her.” Courtesy: Yakima School District
YAKIMA, Wash. — The Yakima School District has announced this year’s Excellence in Education Crystal Apple Award recipients, who were chosen due to the positive impacts they have made on students’ lives.
“This award honors the certified educator profession as a whole by awarding certificated individuals who positively impact the lives and futures of their students,” Yakima School District officials said in a news release.
Crystal Apple Award recipients include:
Caitlin Lindborg, Instructional Facilitator at Nob Hill Elementary
Erin Thomas, Principal at Nob Hill Elementary School
Analisa Montemayor, Counselor at Franklin Middle School
Anita “Chris” DeMonbrun, 3rd Grade Teacher at Gilbert Elementary School
Carl Scott, Teacher at A.C. Davis High School
Kyleen Welch, Teacher/Interventionist at Roosevelt Elementary School
According to school district officials, 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.
More information about the award recipients can be found here.
