More than 30 teachers and other employees of the Plano School District were honored during the district’s fourth annual Salute to Service event held Monday night at Plano High School.
The honorees were chosen from a group of more than 125 employees by their peers for their service to the district and students.
Faith Skinner, sixth-grade teacher at Emily G. Johns School, received the Premier Award as the top K-6 teacher and Stacy O’Keefe, third-grade bilingual teacher at Centennial School, received the Premier Award as the K-6 early career educator. O’Keefe is a first-year teacher.
Nine fourth-grade teachers at Emily G. Johns School received the Premier Award as the top K-6 team. They were Amy Bertellotti, Kelly Clayton, Stephanie Eller, Joy Haddock, Mary King, Kara Lay, Carolyn Olson, Shelley Schmidt and Susan Schutt.
Two teachers tied as top teachers in grades 7-12. They were Michelle Burcenski, reading teacher at Plano High School, and Dan Solecki, seventh-grade social studies teacher.
Jessica Dellorto, special education teacher at Plano High School, was named top early career educator in grades 7-12.
Seven teachers were named tops in the grades 7-12 team for English PLC (Professional Learning Center). They were Mary Rose Coker, Anne Hutchison, Brad Kunz, Carol Pillsbury, Dana Saccomonto, Nicole Walters and Rob Wegley.
Scott Lucas, custodian for buildings and grounds at Plano High School, received the grades 7-12 district service personnel award; Dwayne Love, varsity softball coach at the high school, received the support personnel award; David Lee, sports booster and Plano Youth Tackle Football coach, received the community volunteer award for an individual; and Cedardell Golf Club received the community volunteer group award.
Kathy Benoit, administrative assistant to Superintendent Dr. Hector Garcia, was named top district personnel member; Mark Heller, Plano Middle School principal, was named top school administrator; and Kim Velazquez was named top school board member.
The board also recognized seven retirees and thanked them for their time with the district.
They were Jo Fouts, school psychologist at P.H. Miller, Centennial and Emily G. Johns Schools; Linda Hooper, social worker at Emily G. Johns School; Toni Lundeen, instructional coach and former fifth-grade teacher at Emily G. Johns School; Linda Morel, speech therapist at P.H. Miller and Centennial Schools; Frank Razo, drivers education teacher at Plano High School; and Doreen Wadephul, third-grade teacher at Centennial School.
The board also recognized 20 employees for 10 years of service, seven for 15 years, two for 20 years and two for 25 years of service.
Bonnie Wykes and Randy Book were recognized for 25 years of service.
Karla Barr and Amy Hamilton were recognized for 20 years of service.
Recognized for 15 years of service were Brenda Albright, Doreen Wadephul, Matt Kee, Michelle Burcenski, Rose Buss, Anne Hutchison and Linda Oleson.
Ten-year honorees were Ann Arends, Reyna Espinoza, Nicole Kulbartz, Rikki Rodriguez, Paige Beal, Maria Cisneros, Jane Colbert, Blanca Graziano, Dawn Rosenstiel, Deb Buis, Kerry Preston, Dan Solecki, Leslie Young, Amanda Dean, Lisa Esmond, Eve Phillips, Angela Way, Dave Marisette, Tom Haynes and Mike McIntosh.