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Originally Published: APRIL 7, 2023
294 staff and volunteers nominated for educator excellence awards!
Eugene School District 4J staff and volunteers make a difference in the lives of students every day. In a show of immense support, a record-breaking 294 outstanding employees and volunteers have been nominated by parents, students and colleagues for the 2023 ACE (A Champion in Education) Awards.
Nominees: Teachers & Licensed Specialists, Classified Staff, Administrators & Supervisors, and Volunteers
ACE Award "Champions" will be selected in four categories: Teachers & Licensed Specialists, Classified Staff, Administrators & Supervisors, and Volunteers. A special Lifetime Achievement Award also may be announced. Each champion will receive a $250 grant from Eugene Education Foundation (EEF) for a school or program of their choosing and a ticket to the annual EEF gala.
All nominees will be celebrated and champions named at the in-person celebration at South Eugene High School on Thursday, May 4, at 5 p.m. Join us—everyone is welcome!
Mark your calendar: ACE Awards Ceremony
Thursday, May 4, 5–7 p.m.
5 p.m. reception with live music and appetizers / 6 p.m. ceremony begins
South Eugene High School, 400 East 19th Avenue
The ceremony will also be broadcast live on 4J Facebook page.
Congratulations to all of our 2023 ACE Awards nominees!
Nominees: Teachers & Licensed Specialists, Classified Staff, Administrators & Supervisors, and Volunteers
Click on the link to read the Facebook post announcing the individual’s nomination. More posts are added every day.
Teachers and Licensed Specialists
David Adee, Music Teacher, River Road/Camino del Río Elementary School
Holly Albone, Art Teacher, Churchill High School
Michelynah Anderegg, Speech-Language Pathologist, Buena Vista Spanish Immersion Elementary School
Aline Baissac, Essential Skills Coordinator, River Road/Camino del Río Elementary School
Scott Baker, Science Teacher, Cal Young Middle School
Kendallyn Ball, Third Grade Teacher, Holt Elementary School
Kare Batten, Fifth Grade Teacher, Buena Vista Spanish Immersion Elementary School
Mathilde Bégu, French Teacher, South Eugene High School
Katie Burns, Special Education Teacher, Fox Hollow Campus
Neil Callahan, Student Success Coordinator, Chávez Elementary School
Gloria Carbajal, First Grade Teacher, River Road/Camino del Río Elementary School
Sebastian Catlin, Student Achievement Specialist, South Eugene High School
Lisa Chinn, Physical Education Teacher, Awbrey Park Elementary School
Courtney Christensen, Special Education Teacher, Spring Creek Elementary School
Katie Christian, Math Teacher, North Eugene High School
Kyle Chunn, Fifth Grade Teacher, Willagillespie Elementary School
Mike Churchill, Social Studies & AVID Teacher, North Eugene High School
Jacob Clark, Social Studies Teacher, South Eugene High School
Meredith Coelho, Language Arts Teacher, Roosevelt Middle School
Timothy Coleman, Counselor, Arts & Technology Academy
Jim Conaghan, School Psychologist, Student Services Department
Sara Connors, Elective Teacher, Cal Young Middle School
Jessyka Cook, Third Grade Teacher, Spring Creek Elementary School
Kelley Coplin, American Sign Language Teacher, North Eugene High School
Annette Corbeau, Third Grade Teacher, Gilham Elementary School
Jill Corrigan, Language Arts Teacher, North Eugene High School
Tom Cramer, First Grade Teacher, Camas Ridge Elementary School
Vanessa Crane, Physical Education Teacher, Spring Creek Elementary School
Elysabeth Cummings, Math Teacher, Monroe Middle School
Ben Dechter, Physical Education Teacher, Camas Ridge & McCornack Elementary Schools
Kim Deleon, Special Education Teacher, McCornack Elementary School
Julia DiFiore, Third Grade Teacher, Chávez Elementary School
Josh Dillow, Band & Choir Teacher, Monroe Middle School
Louisa Dorsch, Science Teacher, Churchill High School
Bea Downes, Third Grade Teacher, Buena Vista Spanish Immersion Elementary School
Carmen Duato, Language Arts & Social Studies Teacher, Cal Young Middle School
Sara DuBose Shepard, First Grade Teacher, Yujin Gakuen Japanese Immersion Elementary School
Gregory Dunkin, International Foods and Catering Teacher, South Eugene High School
Michelle Dunn, Adaptive Physical Education Specialist, Student Services Department
Shannon Edwards, Second Grade Teacher, Gilham Elementary School
Dene Eller, Physical Education Teacher, River Road/Camino del Río Elementary School
Haley Ellis, Third Grade Teacher, Buena Vista Spanish Immersion Elementary School
Dani Emrick, Counselor, Howard Elementary School
Mariah Engle, Kindergarten Teacher, Chávez Elementary School
Simon Estifanos, Physical Education & Health Teacher, North Eugene High School
Sara Farmer, Physical Education Teacher, Kennedy Middle School
Zach Farnell, Band Director, North Eugene High School
Cat Field, Science Teacher, Cal Young Middle School
Angela Finneran, Social Studies Teacher, Eugene Online Academy
Tina Fisher, Physical Education & Health Teacher On Special Assignment, Instruction Department
Alex Franz, Physical Education Teacher, Holt Elementary School
Selena Frazier, Physical Education & Health Teacher, Spencer Butte Middle School
Ayhana Gaines, Counselor, Adams Elementary School
Vanessa Garcia-Badillo, Spanish Immersion Teacher, Monroe Middle School
Katie Gates, Special Education Teacher, Howard Elementary School
Erica Goulding, Special Education Teacher, Edgewood Elementary School
Rebecca Gourgey, Special Education Teacher, South Eugene High School
Amanda Greene-Chacon, Counselor, Buena Vista Spanish Immersion Elementary School
Katie Hansen, Special Education Teacher, Sheldon High School/Transition Education Network
Lesli Harmon, Kindergarten Teacher, Holt Elementary School
Jennifer Harris, Counselor, North Eugene High School
Laura Harris, Fourth Grade Teacher, Edison Elementary School
Jacob Havner, Student Success Coordinator, River Road/Camino del Río Elementary School
Joanne Heidel, Social Studies Teacher, Eugene International High School
Marcela Hellman, Kindergarten Teacher, River Road/Camino del Río Elementary School
Elizabeth Henderson, Language Arts Teacher, Churchill High School
Emily Henson, Special Education Teacher, Holt Elementary School
Katie Herzberg-Hachimoto, Japanese Teacher, Kelly Middle School
Heather Hickcox, Special Education Teacher, Student Services Department
Justin Hollander, Social Studies Teacher, Kelly Middle School
Meaghan Holst, First Grade Teacher, Gilham Elementary School
Christie Hoogendoorn, Health Teacher, South Eugene High School
Shay Hurlocker, Language Arts Teacher, Churchill High School
Kami Icenhower, Kindergarten Teacher, Gilham Elementary School
Katrina Irwin, First Grade Teacher, Gilham Elementary School
Melissa Ivan, Language Arts & Social Studies Teacher, Monroe Middle School
Kathryn Johnson, Special Education Teacher, Student Services Department
Sarah Johnson, Fifth Grade Teacher, Gilham Elementary School
Stephen Johnson, Music Teacher, Buena Vista Spanish Immersion Elementary School
Lara Kincaid, Math Teacher, North Eugene High School
Jenny Kneale, Fourth Grade Teacher, Yujin Gakuen Japanese Immersion Elementary School
Codie Kostechka, Social Studies Teacher, North Eugene High School
Allison Kreider, Third Grade Teacher, Howard Elementary School
Sally Krueger, Fifth Grade Teacher, Edgewood Elementary School
Jill Lancaster, Occupational Therapist, Gilham Elementary School
ErinMarie Langsdorf, Physical Education Teacher, Charlemagne French Immersion Elementary School
Michael Leahy, Counselor, South Eugene High School
Rebecca LeDuc, Kindergarten Teacher, Edgewood Elementary School
Tracy Lightner, Special Education Teacher, Camas Ridge Elementary School
Ricardo Llamas, Third Grade Teacher, Buena Vista Spanish Immersion Elementary School
Kenny Long, Special Education Teacher, Howard Elementary School
Clarice Loo, Language Arts & Social Studies Teacher, Cal Young Middle School
Kelsy Loyd, Music Teacher, Spring Creek Elementary School
Melissa Lutsch, Special Education Teacher, Spring Creek Elementary School
Barb MacWilliam, Science & Health Teacher, Cal Young Middle School
Megan Marsh, Kindergarten Teacher, Buena Vista Spanish Immersion Elementary School
Davina Mattox, French Teacher, Roosevelt Middle School
Suzie McLauchlin, French, Language Arts & Social Studies Teacher, Madison Middle School
Brad McLean, Special Education Teacher, Sheldon High School
Esther Moen, Counselor, Camas Ridge Elementary School
Teresa Montes Cervantes, Social Worker, ECCO
Kelsey Moore, Fourth Grade Teacher, Willagillespie Elementary School
Jennifer Mora, Social Studies & Language Arts Teacher, Kelly Middle School
Trieva Morgan, Special Education Teacher, Willagillespie Elementary School
Daniel Morphis, Science Teacher, Arts & Technology Academy
Courtney Morris, Fourth Grade Teacher, Edgewood Elementary School
Toni Mucker, Third Grade Teacher, Edgewood Elementary School
Sarah Murchison, French & Spanish Teacher, Sheldon High School
Alexia Murphy, First Grade Teacher, Charlemagne French Immersion Elementary School
Teresa Myers, Math Teacher, North Eugene High School
Gene Newbold, Art Teacher, Monroe Middle School
Katie Niemeyer, Physical Education & Health Teacher, North Eugene High School
Chelsea Norris, First, Second & Third Grade Teacher, Family School
Jackie Ochoa Cuevas, First Grade Teacher, Buena Vista Spanish Immersion Elementary School
Rachel Parac, Counselor, Charlemagne French Immersion Elementary School
Ellie Pascoe-Long, Kindergarten Teacher, Edison Elementary School
Niels Pasternak, Special Ed/Autism Teacher on Special Assignment, Student Services Department
Megan Perdue, Choir & Leadership Teacher, Sheldon High School
Amy Petty, Fifth Grade Teacher, McCornack Elementary School
Scott Pierce, Counselor, Willagillespie Elementary School
Mary Poppen, Music Teacher, Willagillespie Elementary School
Erin Prescott, Second Grade Teacher, Edgewood Elementary School
Bryan Prideaux, Fifth Grade Teacher, Howard Elementary School
Shasta Quigley, Behavior Specialist, Equity, Inclusion & Instruction Department
Mary Recker, First Grade Teacher, Gilham Elementary School
Kim Reinhardt, Student Success Coordinator, Howard Elementary School
Joe Renaud, Special Education Teacher, Sheldon High School
Danielle Renken, Second Grade Teacher, Chávez Elementary School
Stephanie Riley, Third Grade Teacher, Gilham Elementary School
Samantha Ritchie, Second Grade Teacher, Adams Elementary School
Lisa Robbins, Second Grade Teacher, Willagillespie Elementary School
Suzy Rock, Fifth Grade Teacher, Howard Elementary School
Lizette Rodgers, Spanish Teacher, South Eugene High School
Mark Rodgers, Science Teacher, South Eugene High School
Krystle Rodriguez, School Nurse, Student Services Department
Beth Saxon, Title I Teacher, Willagillespie Elementary School
Sarah Schiltz, Fifth Grade Teacher, Howard Elementary School
Scott Schirmer, Math Teacher, Churchill High School
Sarah Scholten, Special Education Teacher, Edgewood Elementary School
Zak Scotton, Special Education Teacher, Churchill High School
Alexis Screen, Fifth Grade Teacher, River Road/Camino del Río Elementary School
Mike Seager, Special Education Teacher, Roosevelt Middle School
Matt Sharkey, Social Studies Teacher, Churchill High School
Tana Shepard, Climate, Energy & Conservation Teacher on Special Assignment, 4J/EWEB Education Partnership
Shelly Silver, Kindergarten Teacher, Howard Elementary School
Roxanne Simpson, Third Grade Teacher, Gilham Elementary School
Jennifer Slater, Special Education Teacher, River Road/Camino del Río Elementary School
Magdalena Sloniger, First Grade Teacher, Buena Vista Spanish Immersion Elementary School
Shaun Smith, Japanese Immersion Teacher, Kelly Middle School
Antje Snawder, Kindergarten Teacher, Adams Elementary School
Hannah Stamp, Special Education Teacher, Willagillespie Elementary School
Barb Stroh, Special Education Teacher, Yujin Gakuen Japanese Immersion Elementary School
Kelly Stroh, Fifth Grade Teacher, Yujin Gakuen Japanese Immersion Elementary School
Kim Sullivan, Special Education Teacher, Howard Elementary School
Kevin Summerfield, Social Studies Teacher, Sheldon High School
Jay Swanson, Fourth Grade Teacher, Chávez Elementary School
Aaron Thomas, Language Arts & Performing Arts Teacher, North Eugene High School
Gwen Thorne, Kindergarten Teacher, Camas Ridge Elementary School
Carrie Tilson, Counselor, Monroe Middle School
Kristina Trujillo, Science Teacher, North Eugene High School
Nick Van Bloem, Fifth Grade Teacher, Spring Creek Elementary School
Julia Von Holt, Social Studies Teacher, Eugene International High School
Christina Wagner, First Grade Teacher, Awbrey Park Elementary School
Stephanie Waples, Fourth Grade Teacher, Willagillespie Elementary School
Jasmine Ward, First Grade Teacher, Howard Elementary School
Shelley Watson, Speech-Language Pathologist, Howard Elementary School
Robin Wellwood, School Nurse, Student Services Department
Timothy Wilcox, Band & Theater Teacher, Madison Middle School
Clair Wiles, Social Studies Teacher, North Eugene High School
Anne Wilson, Third Grade Teacher, Edison Elementary School
Bree Wyatt, Essential Skills Coordinator, Adams Elementary School
Anthony Yakovich, Counselor, North Eugene High School
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Classified Staff
Faten Abdelhamid, Special Ed Educational Assistant, Sheldon High School
Juan Abril, Behavior Support Assistant, River Road/Camino del Río Elementary School
Kelly Ayres, Registrar, Roosevelt Middle School
Tyson Biggerstaff, Behavior Support Specialist, Charlemagne French Immersion Elementary School
Kathy Boozer, Management Assistant, Facilities Department
Brian Bowen, Carpenter, Facilities Department
Ana Boyd, Special Ed Educational Assistant, Cal Young Middle School
Emily Brown, Educational Assistant, Adams Elementary School
Racheal Bryant, Special Ed Educational Assistant, Willagillespie Elementary School
Henny Buditjahja, Special Ed Educational Assistant, North Eugene High School
Tanya Bunson, Secretary, Edgewood Elementary School
Ricki Campbell-Siebers, Secretary, Edison Elementary School
Kathrine Carnahan, Special Ed Educational Assistant, Charlemagne French Immersion Elementary School
Rosa Castro, Bilingual Educational Assistant, North Eugene High School
Jennifer Coats, Extended Day Program Educational Assistant, Sheldon High School
Sarah Dreyer, Educational Assistant, Willagillespie Elementary School
Sophia Durant, Human Services Coordinator, McCornack Elementary School
Theresa Elmore, Attendance Clerk, Roosevelt Middle School
Kaisa Erickson, Special Ed Educational Assistant, Spring Creek Elementary School
Don Evans, Custodian, ECCO
Keith Fjordbeck, Lead Custodian, Churchill High School
Kirsten Frazer, Educational Assistant, Edison Elementary School
Pat Frees, Maintenance Worker III, Facilities Department
Livia Fremouw, Educational Assistant, Edison Elementary School
Elsa Gallegos, Bilingual Educational Assistant, River Road/Camino del Río Elementary School
Angie Gee, Human Services Coordinator, Chávez Elementary School
Lisa Goff, Educational Assistant, Holt Elementary School
Elayne Goodban, Behavior Support Specialist, Yujin Gakuen Japanese Immersion Elementary School
Perla Grado, Secretary, Buena Vista Spanish Immersion Elementary School
Ruth Guzman Sanchez, Behavior Support Assistant, Buena Vista Spanish Immersion Elementary School
Machiko Hadwen, Bilingual Educational Assistant, Yujin Gakuen Japanese Immersion Elementary School
Wendy Harris, Educational Assistant, Edison Elementary School
Jason Harter, Behavior Support Assistant, Arts & Technology Academy
Zoe Haupt, Special Ed Educational Assistant, Madison Middle School
Christian Hill, Communications Specialist, Communications Department
Jenna Hoagland, Behavior Support Assistant, Twin Oaks Elementary School
Morgan Houghton, Administrative Assistant, Human Resources & Financial Services Departments
Emily Iverson, Educational Assistant, Spring Creek Elementary School
Lisa Jenkins-Easton, Records & Scheduling Assistant, Sheldon High School
Heather Kendrick, Secretary, Spring Creek Elementary School
Debora Kovensky, Special Ed Educational Assistant, Roosevelt Middle School
Sandy Krupicka, Educational Assistant, Camas Ridge Elementary School
Darin Lomsdalen, Campus Safety & Security Monitor, Risk Management & School Safety Department
Jennifer MacPherson, Library/IMC Assistant, Churchill High School
Lindsay Manley, Educational Assistant, Willagillespie Elementary School
Michele Marzullo, Educational Assistant, South Eugene High School
Gerry Morgan, Behavior Support Assistant, Edison Elementary School
Jane Morgan, Department Assistant, Churchill High School
Marcus Morris, Campus Safety & Security Monitor, Risk Management & School Safety Department
Denice Mullaney, Special Ed Educational Assistant, North Eugene High School
Haley Myers, School Assistant, Willagillespie Elementary School
Kelly Oberfoell, Custodial/Maintenance Coordinator II, Roosevelt Middle School
Guy Okili Da Graca, Campus Safety & Security Monitor, Risk Management & School Safety Department
Jana Ouimet, Special Ed Educational Assistant, Gilham Elementary School
Danny Parlette, Special Ed Educational Assistant, Charlemagne French Immersion Elementary School
Nicole Patrick, Special Ed Educational Assistant, Chávez Elementary School
Stephanie Perez, Secretary, Monroe Middle School
Jael Perez Diaz, Bilingual Educational Assistant, River Road/Camino del Río Elementary School
Mary Peterson, Secretary, Madison Middle School
Pete Peterson, Behavior Support Assistant, Roosevelt Middle School
Jennifer Plueard, Behavior Support Assistant, Cal Young Middle School
Jennifer Potterf, Food Service Coordinator II, Cal Young Middle School
Julia Rice, Special Ed Educational Assistant, Charlemagne French Immersion Elementary School
Steve Rogers, Custodial/Maintenance Coordinator II, Yujin Gakuen Japanese Immersion Elementary School & Kelly Middle School
Izumi Sakimoto, Educational Assistant, Yujin Gakuen Japanese Immersion Elementary School
Fabi Salgado Aradillas, Secretary, Camas Ridge Elementary School
Grace Salud, Deaf & Hard of Hearing Interpreter, Spring Creek Elementary School
James Samora-Walker, Educational Assistant, Buena Vista Spanish Immersion Elementary School
Maria Schaad, Program Coordinator, Eugene Education Options
Kimo Sears, Mechanic II, Transportation Department
Debbie Serra, Secretary, Willagillespie Elementary School
Hollie Service, School Assistant, Gilham Elementary School
Debra Short, Library/IMC Assistant, Cal Young Middle School
Mollie Smith, Secretary, Monroe Middle School
Christina Snyder, Custodial/Maintenance Coordinator II, Cal Young Middle School
Janesta Sola, Educational Assistant, Yujin Gakuen Japanese Immersion Elementary School
Abby Spencer, Behavior Support Assistant, Spring Creek Elementary School
Brenda Sturgis, Bus Driver, Transportation Department
Campbell Trangmar, Custodian, South Eugene High School
Becky Uhler, Special Ed Educational Assistant, Twin Oaks Elementary School
Alison Wagner, Educational Assistant/McKinney-Vento Liaison, Edison Elementary School & Roosevelt Middle School
Judy Weber, Educational Assistant, Edgewood Elementary School
Mallory Whitaker, Secretary, Chinese Immersion School
Stefan Williams, Educational Assistant, South Eugene High School
Ari Windstein Nayak, Special Ed Educational Assistant, Willagillespie Elementary School
Nora Young, Educational Assistant, Chávez Elementary School
Alex Zuniga, Bilingual Office Support, Buena Vista Spanish Immersion Elementary School
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Administrators and Supervisors
Bernadette Adeniran, Administrator, Human Resources Department
Eric Anderson, Director of Curriculum, Instruction Department
Peter Barsotti, Principal, Madison Middle School
Hobie Blackhorn, Principal, Camas Ridge Elementary School
Dana Brummett, Principal, McCornack Elementary School
Regine Childs, Assistant Principal, Sheldon High School
Ann Christianson, Regional Equity Manager, North Eugene High School
Laura Clark, Assistant Principal, Churchill High School
Missy Cole, Principal, Churchill High School
Josh Davies, Administrator, NATIVES Program
Lancelot Falcon, Assistant Principal, Churchill High School
Ricci Huling, Assistant Principal, South Eugene High School
Carey Killen, Principal, South Eugene High School
Roger Morris, Senior Systems Administrator, Technology Department
Lavinia Page, Principal, Gilham Elementary School
Adrienne Pierce, Curriculum Administrator, Instruction Department
Karen Ramirez Guiterrez, Principal, River Road/Camino del Río Elementary School
Stephanie Randall, Principal, Buena Vista Spanish Immersion Elementary School
Alma Reyes Guillen, Regional Equity Manager, Sheldon High School
Sun Saeteurn, Principal, Monroe Middle School
Travis Sheaffer, Assistant Principal, North Eugene High School
Kari Skinner, Director, Risk Management & School Safety Department
Jared Tiecke, Principal, Awbrey Park Elementary School
Brian Watson, Assistant Principal, Monroe Middle School
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Volunteers
Jordan Blair, Buena Vista Spanish Immersion Elementary School
Amy Lee, Gilham Elementary School
Tom Mohr, Yujin Gakuen Japanese Immersion Elementary School
Sara Nelson, Spencer Butte Middle School
Michael Rangeloff, South Eugene High School
Lindsay Selser, Camas Ridge Elementary School
Caroline Snider, Spring Creek Elementary School
Kalleen Stoddard, Cal Young Middle School
Lisa Wahi, Gilham Elementary School
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Past nominees and champions:
2022, 2021, 2020, 2019, 2018, 2017, 2016