CCSD Evening of Excellence: 2023 Starlight Awards
Starlight Awards Honoree Slideshow
Evening of Excellence Starlight Awards Program
Thank you to our Evening of Excellence Champion Sponsors:
CCSD TEACHER OF THE YEAR
DEMEASA (DEE) HEARD
Demeasa Heard implements innovative strategies to make the school environment conducive to learning. She increases interest in math through the creation of a competition that led to increased test scores. She contributes to the growth of her school community by participating as a presenter at the Secondary Math Conference for the Regional Professional Development Program. She contributes to the growth of her school community by participating as a presenter at the Secondary Math Conference for the Regional Professional Development Program (RPDP). She also regularly collaborates with school staff to assist with student needs of bus tickets, food, emotional needs, and clothing.
CCSD TEACHER OF THE YEAR FINALISTS
DEMEASA HEARD – Grade 6 Math, Marvin Sedway MS
CORAZON LIPANA – Grade 1 General, Mervin Iverson ES
DAI’ JANAI YARBER – Grade 5 General & Reading Skills Center Lead Teacher, Matt Kelly ES
BRITTANY JOHNSON – Grade 5 General, Roger Bryan ES
CCSD SUPPORT PROFESSIONAL OF THE YEAR FINALISTS
MELANIE GASSER – Title 1 Teacher Family Assistant III, Addeliar Guy ES
HEATHER KANA – Instructional Assistant, Barry and June Gunderson MS
RACHEL SPINDEL – Library Assistant, Lorna Kesterson ES
BELINDA STRONG – Teacher Family Assistant, Ann Lynch ES
DESIREE IRONS-QUINTANO – Central Kitchen Food Service Supervisor, Food Service
CCSD SUPPORT PROFESSIONAL OF THE YEAR
BELINDA STRONG
Belinda Strong is described as the unofficial solo welcoming committee of Ann Lynch Elementary School. She takes a tremendous amount of pride in playing a critical role to ensure students have positive memories and experiences during their elementary years. She holds high customer service standards by visualizing the assignment before it’s even started, so by the time of execution, she is fully prepared. She also organizes school-wide participation in the Week of Respect campaign.
Thank you to our Evening of Excellence Advocate Sponsors:
CCSD LICENSED SPECIALIST OF THE YEAR
TOD YOUNG
Tod Young maintains a consistently positive and friendly attitude in his daily interactions with students, families, and staff. He promptly addresses problems and issues rather than allowing them to linger. He is also a licensed marriage and family therapist. He effectively communicates and regularly leads professional development sessions for his colleagues, prioritizing the advancement of both learning and social-emotional wellness. He is a natural mentor and an astute educator.
CCSD LICENSED SPECIALIST OF THE YEAR FINALISTS
ANGELICA BROWN – Read By Grade 3 Learning Strategist, Tyrone Thompson ES
BENNETT LESLIE – Counselor, Peterson Academic Center
TOD YOUNG – School-Based Mental Health Professional, Variety School
ADRIANE DURAND – Librarian, Ruthe Deskin Elementary School
CCSD PRINCIPAL OF THE YEAR FINALISTS
TONY DAVIS – Tanaka Elementary School
MELISSA ROEHM – Whitney Elementary School
KELLY REED – Katz Elementary School
RIGEL PAINTER – Long Elementary School
CCSD PRINCIPAL OF THE YEAR
MELISSA ROEHM
Melissa Roehm works incredibly hard for her school community to ensure students are provided with the most equitable, safe, and rigorous learning experiences. She fosters an environment for teacher agency by building the Leadership Instructional Team to build the school’s professional learning plan. She focuses on the health and well-being of each staff member tobuild morale and the school has seen tremendous student growth by her effectiveness in implementing Professional Learning Communities.
Thank you to our Evening of Excellence Contributor Sponsors:
CCSD CENTRAL OFFICE ADMINISTRATOR OF THE YEAR
AMBER RIDEOUT
Amber Rideout uses sound decision making skills to address emergency situations, school supports, and department projects. She assists in implementing a number of solutions to help ease the effects of staffing shortages to provide consistent service to students. Her department boasts a 93% on-time rate, a decrease in absenteeism, and a reduction in bus driver vacancies. Amber recognizes her staff for exemplary attendance, perfect bus inspections, and outstanding performance increasing staff engagement and retention.
CCSD CENTRAL OFFICE ADMINISTRATOR OF THE YEAR FINALISTS
MICHELE MONGA – Director II, Student Services
AMBER RIDEOUT – Director II, Transportation
ROSANNE RICHARDS – Director III, College, Career, Equity and School Choice Unit
DENISE DIAZ – Director, Family Engagement
Thank you to our Evening of Excellence Supporter Sponsors:
