Building-level Teacher of the Year and Support Person of the Year

Congratulations to HMC-1’s building-level Teacher of the Year and Support Person of the Year! Thank you to our teachers and support staff for guiding our students in ways large and small every day both inside and outside of the classroom. We appreciate you!

The following is each individual building’s honoree:

Building Teacher of the Year:
6th Grade Center, Britney McCool, Science
Burke Academy, Nathan Gulliford, Crittenton Math/PBL/PE
Compass Elementary, Molly Hayde, Kindergarten
Dobbs Elementary, Lesley Cook, Kindergarten
Ervin Elementary, Karen Boldridge, Fourth Grade
Freda Markley Early Learning Center, Julie Carleton, Pre-K
Ingels Elementary, Erica Smead, First Grade
Millennium at Santa Fe Elementary, Jessica Finley, Kindergarten
Ruskin High School, Todd Barney, High School Project Lead the Way
Smith-Hale Middle School, Lucille Lee, Seventh Grade Project Lead the Way
Truman Elementary, Markeeda Riley, First Grade
Warford Elementary, Tracee Tidwell, Special Education – Cross Categorical Classroom 

Support Person of the Year:
6th Grade Center, Billie Jackson, Head Custodian
Burke Academy, Susan Price, Administrative Assistant Burke Academy
Compass Elementary, Kim Benavides, Cafeteria Manager
Dobbs Elementary, Johnathon Lenore, Head Custodian
Ervin Elementary, Edward Chaddock, Paraprofessional
Freda Markley Early Learning Center, Sherry Harms, Paraprofessional
Ingels Elementary, Belinda Ritter, Family School Liaison
Millennium at Santa Fe Elementary, Edsel Edwards, Family School Liaison
Ruskin High School, Jacqui Rose, Receptionist
Smith-Hale Middle School, Derriesha Thompson, Principal's Secretary
Truman Elementary, LaVita Hawkins, Lunch Aide and LINC
Warford Elementary, Brenda Tippie, Counselor

We will announce the 2023 HMC-1 Claudette Scott District Teacher of the Year, 2023 HMC-1 Millie Harness District Support Person of the Year, and 2023 HMC-1 Leader of the Year at the annual Employee Recognition Banquet on May 4, 2023. Come back afterwards to learn about the winners! 

It’s time for the 2023 HMC-1 Employee Recognitions! We are now accepting nominations for your school-based Teacher of the Year and Support Person of the Year, as well as HMC-1 Leader of the Year.

Claudette Scott District Teacher of the Year

The Teacher of the Year will recognize one educator from each school building who structured their classrooms knowing that every student can grow every day, no matter what. Teacher quality and effectiveness are among the most important school-based factors impacting student learning. Teachers create a learning environment where children flourish and grow.

To nominate someone for the Claudette Scott District Teacher of the Year, use this Google form. Nominations are due by Friday, March 10, 2023. Once nominations are received, we will email selected teachers with an invitation to apply for the Claudette Scott District Teacher of the Year, along with information about the Employee Recognition Celebration. 

Criteria includes:

• Will be returning to the HMC-1 District next school year.
• Must not have been placed on a performance plan within the last school year.
• Has not been named Building Teacher of the Year or Claudette Scott District Teacher of the Year in the past two years.
• Be a full-time, returning teacher who has a class assigned to him/her.
• Understands the concepts, structures, and tools of inquiry of the discipline(s) he/she teaches.
• Understands how students learn, develop, and differ in their approaches to learning.
• Provides learning opportunities that are adapted to diverse learners.
• Supports the intellectual, social, and personal development of all students.
• Recognizes the importance of long-range planning and curriculum development.
• Develops, implements, and evaluates curriculum based upon standards and student needs.
• Uses a variety of instructional strategies to encourage critical thinking, problem solving, and performance skills.
• Creates a learning environment that encourages active engagement, social interaction, and motivation.
• Models effective verbal, nonverbal, and media communication techniques with students and parents.
• Understands and uses formative and summative assessment strategies to assess each learner’s progress, plan instruction, monitor performance, and devise instruction to enable students to grow and develop.
• Is a reflective practitioner who continually assesses the effects of choices and actions on others.
• Actively seeks opportunities to grow professionally in order to improve learning for all students.
• Engages in a variety of leadership roles.
• Has excellent communication skills.
• Has effective working relationships with students, parents, school colleagues, and community members.
• Articulates state and national educational issues.

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Millie Harness Support Person of the Year

The Support Person of the Year will recognize one building-level staff member who supports the ongoing mission of HMC-1 to maximize academic success and foster civic engagement. Through their support – whether it’s answering phones, keeping the building clean, providing emotional support, or other key programs and services – our students can thrive.

To nominate someone for the Millie Harness Support Person of the Year, use this Google form. Nominations are due by Friday, March 10, 2023. Once nominations are received, we will email selected support personnel with congratulations and with information about the Employee Recognition Celebration. 

Criteria includes:

• Nominees must have completed a minimum of three years employment within the district.
• Nominees must not have been placed on a performance plan within the last year.
• Nominees must have 90% or better attendance.

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HMC-1 Leader of the Year

New this year, HMC-1 is honoring a district Leader of the Year. This award is designed to recognize an outstanding leader within the organization, whether principal, vice principal, instructional coach, director, assistant director, etc. You are invited to nominate a leader who demonstrates abilities in managing their department or school, evoking high standards and commitment to excellence, and has a track record of exceptional work. Please nominate your Leader of the Year by Friday, March 10, 2023 by completing this Google Form. Once nominations are received, the Selection Committee will review nominations to select this year’s inaugural honoree.

It’s an honor to announce HMC-1’s 2022 annual award winners!

Claudette Scott Teacher of the Year

Carlie Murphy - Third Grade Teacher, Truman Elementary

From the minute you enter Mrs. Carlie Murphy’s classroom, you feel the energy. She has themed her room around “superheroes” and calls her students the Marvels. This energy carries through in her lessons as students are encouraged to use their superpowers for good. Mrs. Murphy has the ability to reach every child at their level while pushing them to reach their full potential. Mrs. Murphy is a master teacher transforming the lives of students. She works diligently to form relationships with each student, taking the time to understand each one of their unique strengths, interests, and areas of growth by spending time with each student and their parents.

Millie Harness Support Person of the Year

Cyrus Rodgers - School Resource Officer at Ruskin High School

Officer Cyrus Rodgers is one hundred percent committed to Ruskin and the Hickman Mills Community. He seemingly works nonstop, and personally knows almost all 1,200 students at Ruskin by name. He can be found walking the halls engaging students in conversations, directing them to make good decisions, and helping with problems both inside and outside of school. He goes above and beyond his duties because to him it’s not work, it’s his calling and his passion. There is no problem too big or small for Officer Rogers, whether it’s helping a family with food and resources or resolving conflicts. Outside of school hours, he can be found cheering for students or connecting with the community. He is always there to help.

The two winners will be announced at the Hickman Mills Employee Recognition Dinner, which will be on Thursday, May 5, 2022.

Doors will open at 5 p.m. with the program starting at 5:30 p.m. It will be located at Smith- Hale Middle School (9010A Old Santa Fe Rd. Kansas City, MO 64138). We will be honoring the following: Retirees, Claudette Scott District Teacher of the Year and Millie Harness Support Person of the Year. 

Congratulations to HMC-1’s building teacher of the year and building support person of the year! Thank you to our teachers and support staff for guiding our students in ways large and small every day both inside and outside of the classroom. We appreciate you!

Check out each individual building honorees below:

Building Teacher of the Year:

Andrea Ferguson, Burke Academy
Michelle Robinson, Freda Markley Early Childcare
Elizabeth Hiersche, SHMS
Angelica Saddler, Ingels Elementary
Steven Goodwin, Dobbs Elementary
Fiona Carmody, Ervin Elementary
Stephanie Anderson, Ruskin High School
Carlie Murphy, Truman Elementary
Heather Hadley, Millennium at Santa Fe
Stefan Hodes, Compass Elementary
Amy Potter, Warford Elementary 

Support Person of the Year:

Teresse Davis, Paraprofessional, Burke Academy
Cyrus Rodgers, School Resource Officer, Ruskin High School
LaTonya Battle,  Admin.Assistant, Dobbs Elementary
Shatara Willis, Pre-K Title I Para, Freda Markley Early Childhood Center
Dominique Roberson, School Liaison, Warford Elementary
Traci Pettis Johnson, Family School Liaison, Truman Elementary
Maritza Kartman, ESOL Translator/Para, SHMS
Holly Caldwell, Secretary, Millennium at Santa Fe
Devin Spencer, Custodian, Compass Elementary
Richard Hardley, Head Custodian, Ingels Elementary
Fred Buckles, Head Custodian, Ervin Elementary
Shatrease Patton, Accounting Specialist, Administration