District 47 Celebrates Fall 2024 Elevate Award Winners

District 47's Elevate program recognizes employees who uphold and exemplify the district's mission, vision, and core values and who go above and beyond to make a difference in the lives of students, schools, and the community. Nominees and winners are announced three times a year - fall, winter, and spring. For the Fall Elevate Award, 10 winners were announced out of 30 nominations. District 47 would also like to thank all the businesses that have chosen to sponsor our Elevate program this year. Eight local sponsors award the winners with a gift card.

Elevate Award recipients will be recognized at the December Board of Education meeting. Please take a moment to read more about our winners with a quote taken from their Elevate nomination.

Stephanie Brual, Reading Interventionist, Husmann

“Stephanie Brual is truly a ray of sunshine! She is starting her third year at Husmann, her second year as a Reading Recovery teacher, and has gone above and beyond ever since. Stephanie had a vision to change the way that we organized and facilitated our Kindy Kick-off. In addition, Stephanie has been a big part of our MTSS implementation and has co-facilitated the review meetings with staff, three times a year. We are seeing a big difference in our MTSS implementation process throughout the building, and we know that Stephanie is a big part of that. It is in the day to day interactions with Stephanie, though, that we realize what a valuable and dedicated staff member she is. There is never anything that Stephanie is unwilling to do. She is a CICO mentor, a PBIS Tier 1 committee member, leads our school-wide PBIS assemblies, serves as a teacher leader and expert in the area of literacy, and an all-around incredible individual. We are so lucky to have Stephanie at Husmann and so fortunate for all that she does!"

Shannon Sites, Multiage 1st/2nd Grade Teacher, Woods Creek

“Mrs. Sites really is the teacher that every parent dreams of their child having.  She ignites a love of learning, students feel supported with having a growth mindset and taking educational risks, her classroom is a safe place where children feel valued and loved, children build connections with their classmates as friends and teammates, and she models having a passion for being a life long learner with ongoing professional development and frequently implementing new strategies within her classroom. Mrs. Sites is so very deserving of the Elevate Award and she will forever hold a special place in our hearts.” 

Kathleen Himley, 3rd Grade Teacher, Coventry

“It has not even been a month yet, and Mrs. Himley is a teacher that I truly know will be someone our son and family will remember forever. She exemplifies what a teacher should be. Caring, inclusive, patient, and I could honestly keep going. Last week she went above and beyond and wrote my son a special note saying how proud she was of him that day. He was so proud of himself. I am so grateful for her support and guidance. I sleep well at night knowing Mrs. Himley is this person for him this year.” 

Mandy Payne, 7th Grade Math Teacher, Lundahl

“Mrs. Payne is simply an outstanding teacher. I have always known, as the child and grandchild of teachers, the importance of that role, and I can testify that Mrs. Payne exceeds her calling as a teacher. She is not any regular teacher; she is an outstanding teacher who truly cares for everyone she meets. She is more than deserving of this award. We should recognize teachers like her who go above and beyond to ensure the mental and intellectual growth of the kids. Thank you, Mrs Payne, for teaching people like me that it is not simply doing the job but being present and enjoying the job. Thank you for being you and being amazing!” 

Katherine Felz, Instructional Coach, Husmann

"Katie has just started her second year as an Instructional Coach at Husmann. Prior to that, she was a tremendous primary teacher for many years. She continues to meet with teachers and teams to facilitate grade-level team meetings when she is not in coaching cycles and helps support the staff with many different instructional buckets. She also adds information to the weekly staff communication pertaining to the math curriculum as she encounters new components or ideas or gains supportive ideas/practices from other coaches or buildings, etc. Katie has also been instrumental in supporting our literacy practices at Husmann. Last school year, she created and organized an ELA Resource/Book Room that can be used to support students at all reading levels. She organized a seamless checkout system and the room has been a big hit with our staff and greatly benefited our students. We feel extremely lucky to have Katie on staff at Husmann!"

Terri Olson, 3rd Grade Teacher, Husmann

“Mrs. Olson demonstrates the vision of the district as well as all core values the district finds to be of importance! She displays wonderful communication with both the students in her class and their families. Although she has been teaching in the district for 29 years, she is always open to learning new strategies and having a POSITIVE attitude, no matter what is thrown her way. She exhibits an in-depth understanding of her students and finds a way to reach them each individually, despite having 28 in her class this year! The climate in her classroom is something all teachers should strive to create. Through the “book a day” program she created, students are learning through literacy daily. If you walk in her room you can tell that her classroom is a community where all are valued, listened to, and respected. As a former teacher who has been out of the classroom for a while, I can honestly say that she is making me want to teach again.”

Stacy Graff, Principal, Canterbury

“Ms. Graff is a compassionate, strong, caring, and goal-driven leader. Ms. Graff’s vision for our school is reflected in the way she speaks to staff and students. Ms. Graff has promoted an environment based in respect, professionalism, and strong relationships of care and camaraderie amongst the staff. This positive environment that she has so deeply worked for directly impacts and benefits the students’ school experience because they come into a school that is run by a group of individuals who feel connected and work together towards a common goal. Our school community truly does feel like a big family, and strong connections and bonds have been facilitated by the boundaries and good example that Ms. Graff has set for us. I wish my words could do justice to all the wonderful qualities of a principal and strong human that Ms. Graff portrays. Ms. Graff elevates her students and staff at Canterbury Elementary, and it is an honor to work under her leadership.”

Samantha Brown, Dual Language 3rd Grade Teacher, Canterbury 

“Mrs. Brown is a hard-working, persevering educator who strives to help every single one of her students thrive. She cares deeply about inclusion, and on a daily basis, she ensures that her students have what they need, be it resources or materials, academic support, personal items, and, of course, a supportive teacher who is there for them. That is who she is. Mrs. Brown is a true example of perseverance and loyalty to her students. She elevates her students by helping them find their voice.”

Amy Frank, STEM Teacher, Canterbury 

“Ms. Frank is a phenomenal example of the teacher we all aspire to be. She inspires students and instills a lifelong love for Science, Technology, Engineering, and Math through her very engaging, highly organized, and hands-on STEM lessons. Students truly look forward to STEM time all week! The genuine interest that Ms. Frank sparks for her subject makes me want to go back in time so I can experience what her students do in her lessons.”

Christina Barranco, Reading Interventionist, Canterbury 

“When I think of excellence, rigor, and genuine devotion to teaching young learners how to read, Mrs. Barranco’s name undoubtedly comes to mind. Mrs. Barranco strives to help all the students who are lucky to fall into her hands succeed. As a specialized reading teacher, not only is she a phenomenal instructor, but she is also an expert yet tremendously humble mentor to any and all of her colleagues. I wish my words could even begin to describe what an honor it is to work with such an excellent educator and to be able to learn from her. Mrs. Barranco is a true example of excellence in education.”