End of Year Celebration
On Tuesday, May 22, the Hilldale staff gathered to recognize several staff members. The Hilldale Education Foundation announced the grants to be funded for 2018. Twenty-nine staff members will receive a total of over $22,000. Since 2013, the Foundation has provided almost $100,000 for Hilldale classrooms!
Mr. Cary Lund was recognized as the Substitute of the Year. This award is selected by teacher nominations. Mr. Lund has substituted from elementary through high school, and is in high demand! Thank you so much, Cary!
Employees of the Month are selected through a nomination process within the district, one for certified staff and one for support staff. So many wonderful things are said about each other in these nominations! These great employees have been recognized for the 2017-18 school year:
- August – Stacy Miller & Megan Garcia
- September – Jake Box & Carrie Carter
- October – Keri Green & Jerry Sampson
- November – Kristin Smith & Melissa Hankins
- December – Jamie Clark & Christina Bolen
- January – Stephanie Botts & Michelle Stephens
- February – Amberley Hiner & Debbie Smith
- March – Brittany Richardson-Stoddard & Angela McCoy
- April – Laurel Croftcheck & Erin Parker
Teacher of the Year for each site is selected by the certified staff in the building. What a great recognition by those who work side-by-side! These outstanding educators were presented with an award and several gifts provided by local businesses. They are:
- Lower Elementary – Jennifer Morphis
- Upper Elementary – Stacy Miller
- Middle School – Brenda Murrie
- High School – Jake Box
From the Site Teacher of the Year, a structured process is in place for a committee of staff to select the District Teacher of the Year. This year, that is Mrs. Jennifer Morphis, 1st Grade Teacher at the Lower Elementary! Congratulations, Mrs. Morphis! So deserving!! She has submitted the necessary information to be considered for the Oklahoma Teacher of the Year.
Another important recognition of our staff is by providing service pins, for employees who have been in the district, in increments of five years. We appreciate the many years of service from our staff. Our students are the beneficiaries of this commitment!! This year the pen for the longest service to the district went to Coach Oren Sykes, with 35 years in the district!!
Finally, the staff celebration included recognition of retirees this year. A total of five employees have retired, leaving with 144 total years of experience!!
- Julie Clark retired in the fall after 23 years, most as a 4th Grade teacher. She is retiring to spend more time with family. And hopes to do some traveling.
- Marilyn Dover has been teaching for 24 years, most as a 5th Grade teacher. She is retiring to spend more time with family – and may try to find a little something to do at Hilldale next year!
- Dorsida Weidel has been providing health services at Hilldale for 29 years. She is retiring to spend more time with family, especially those grandchildren.
- Coletta Russell has spent 30 years educating children with disabilities. She is retiring to spend more time with family. And maybe a little arm-twisting to sub?!?
- Kaylin Coody has been in education for 38 years, with the last six years as the Superintendent of Hilldale Public Schools. While trying to “throttle back” and travel more with family, she will be working part-time with a state education association, OSAC, and will continue a few hours at Hilldale as the Internship Coordinator.
With over 200 employees at Hilldale Public Schools, it truly takes each and every one of them and the excellence they bring to their role, to educate our students. We appreciate each of them and ask that you remind them of just how valuable they are! They have the future in their hands each and every day with students.
