Several Kalama Elementary School educators have been recognized for their excellence in teaching after receiving nominations for regional awards.
1st Grade Teacher Allison Anderson, 1st Grade Teacher Stephanie Englert, 2nd Grade Teacher Katy Pietsch, and 5th Grade Teacher Julian Mead have all been nominated for ESD 112’s 2024-2025 Regional Teacher of the Year Award. Additionally, Michele Jorgenson, who teaches students enrolled in the school’s Learning Assistance Program (LAP), has been nominated for ESD 112’s 2024-2025 Classified School Employee of the Year Award.
Both awards are part of a larger statewide program where each educational service district (ESD) in the state selects a regional finalist. These finalists then undergo a selection process by a state-level committee, which ultimately names a Washington State Teacher of the Year and Washington State Classified School Employee of the Year.
In describing Allison Anderson’s abilities as an educator, one of her nominators wrote:
“Ms. Anderson is a teacher every parent wishes their child to have. She gets to know the students on a personal level and their academic needs in a way that I have never seen a teacher do before. She is an out-of-the-box thinker who allows children to be children, but holds them to standards that show growth. Students love to learn and have fun in her classroom.
“She has a warmth about her that causes her previous students to seek her out as a safe adult,” the nominator continued. “She always holds space and time for them – even when it may be an inconvenient time… She is an exceptional educator that needs to be recognized for her outstanding work.”
Similar praise was awarded to Katy Pietsch, with one of her nominators writing:
“Katy is personable, empathetic and vulnerable with her students and team! The relationships she builds are felt in and out of the classroom through the care she exhibits, restorative conversations she leads with her students, and the interest she portrays in the well-being of those around her. You can feel the dedication to fight for what's best and the love she has for everyone!”
“This year, Katy is also my child's teacher,” wrote another nominator. “My child has not only thrived academically, but in every way. There hasn’t been a single day where my child has come home feeling anything short of supported and excited about something she learned. Katy has big expectations and her kiddos know it and they strive to meet them. She is an exceptional educator and human. If every child had one adult like Katy Pietsch in their lives, the whole world would change.”
In nominating Julian Mead, one of her supporters said:
“Mrs. Mead is one of the best teachers I've ever had the pleasure of getting to know. She genuinely cares about her students. She has a love and passion for learning and it pours into her classroom every single day. She inspires her students to be successful and to be good humans... She makes time outside of the classroom to help students and parents overcome challenges and obstacles. She is one of a kind.”
Stephanie Englert was praised by one of her nominators for being a “wonderful, thoughtful, compassionate teacher.”
“We are so grateful that we would like to see her recognized for her exceptional effort,” they wrote.
In describing the accomplishments of Michele Jorgenson, one of her nominators wrote:
“Michele has become a leader among her peers and has made it her passion project to make Kalama Elementary School the best school it can be. Michele gets to know the students and families of Kalama Elementary School, [and] students seek her out as a positive, safe adult… [She] is a flexible thinker who is not afraid to ask questions and seeks to make the LAP program its best.”
ESD 112 will announce the regional finalists for both awards later this summer.