CrystalApple 2025
Ellen Lippstrew has helped students for over 50 years
By Callie Jones cjones @prairiemountainmedia.com
Ellen Lippstrew has impacted the lives of countless students during her over five decades in education.
Lippstrew has been a Title 1 paraprofessional at Fleming Elementary School for four years, but has been in education for 56 years. She knew from a young age that she wanted to be a teacher.
“I knew when I was a first grader I loved my first-grade teacher — she was so good with children and so happy all the time and she instilled in me a love of reading,” she said.
Lippstrew started her career as a first-grade teacher in Kimball, Nebraska, for four years, then taught for four years at a Lakewood elementary before moving back to Kimball to teach second grade. After moving to Sterling when her husband got a job here, she immediately put her name on the substitute list and that fall she was teaching fourth grade.
Most of her career was spent in Sterling at Hagen Elementary. During that time, she decided she wanted to do more reading instruction, so she interviewed for a reading recovery position and took the training; now she bases her teaching strategies on that training.
Lippstrew then decided to take a break from teaching full-time and went to work for JCPenney for 15 years, while still also substitute teaching.
Wanting to go back to teaching, she left the clothing store and after subbing for a while at Ayres Elementary, she met Brittany Peirce and learned about the Title 1 para position at Fleming.
“One thing led to the next and here I am doing what I love. I’ve never not loved my job,” Lippstrew said “I love the kids and their energy; they’re like sponges, to see them go ‘wow, that word is this, that word is that.’ They understand that reading is so important.”
Ellen Lippstrew, Title 1paraprofessional
Her impact at Fleming does not go unnoticed.
“Ellen is extremely dedicated to helping students achieve success and is passionate about education,” said Peirce, who is one of her Crystal Apple Award nominators. “Ellen is the colleague who shows up early to make sure she is adequately prepared for her lessons. She will also be one of the first people to volunteer to cover a class, duty, or pick up where help is needed. She goes above and beyond daily and we are blessed to have her here in our building.”
“She goes out of her way to make sure everyone feels welcomed and valued,” Peirce added. “The expertise she brings to the classroom is appreciated among many of the teachers. Ellen makes it a point to learn each and every student’s name and make a connection with them She is one of the hardest-working people I have had the pleasure of working with The amount of time and effort she puts in each day is something that should be acknowledged.”
As a Title 1 paraprofessional, Lippstrew works with first through
fourth graders and does reading groups.
“I love it; the kids make me happy. I try to meet individual needs as I see them,” she said.
Her favorite part of her job is teaching her students reading and “seeing how excited they get about what’s going to happen next in the story. Their enthusiasm keeps me energized,” Lippstrew said.
She is especially grateful for the fantastic staff at Fleming and the support they provide, because as she pointed out, it takes a team to teach kids.
Lippstrew’s colleagues are just as grateful for her.
“Her dedication to both students and colleagues is inspiring. From her commitment to volunteering for extra duties to her focus on continuous learning and creating engaging lessons, she’s clearly made a lasting impact on the school environment. Her ability to connect with students on a personal level and foster a supportive and collaborative atmosphere with her coworkers is something special,” Peirce said.
FLEMING SCHOOLS
Stephanie Monroe ensures all students have a healthy meal
By Callie Jones cjones
@prairiemountainmedia.com
Stephanie Monroe works diligently to ensure all students at Fleming School have a healthy breakfast and lunch to eat
Monroe has worked at Fleming for eight years now, the last six as the nutrition director. Before that, she worked in Sterling.
“I really wanted to change how food was perceived in schools, so it’s not a normal lunch program,” she said about why she was interested in the nutrition director position
Her hard work isn’t going unnoticed.
“She is keeping this school compliant to kitchen standards. Sure glad to have her working hard in this plan,” said one of her Crystal Apple Award nominators, Deborah Herring.
“She is a very hard-working and caring person. She has worked very hard on our farm-to-school program and deserves to be recognized. She is very much appreciated,” said her second Crystal Apple Award nominator, Krysta Herring
Monroe is proud to say Fleming’s meals are all farm-to-school. The school offers local beef, local pork and fresh produce and it is even starting a hydroponic system to grow all of its vegetables and fruits
MONROE » PAGE 4
CALLIE JONES — JOURNAL-ADVOCATE
Stephanie Monroe, nutrition director at Fleming School, works to ensure every student gets a healthy meal.
Jamie Wheelock has brought music to K-12 students for over a decade
By Callie Jones cjones
@prairiemountainmedia.com
Jamie Wheelock always had a passion for music growing up and now she’s instilling that same passion in the students at Peetz School.
“Jamie is a phenomenal music teacher who works with students from grades kindergarten through seniors and organizes concerts that showcase her incredible talents through her students. Her concerts accompany packed houses of community members and demonstrate her unique partnership and relationship with the community of Peetz,” said her Crystal Apple Award nominators, Superintendent Jeff Durbin and Principal Kelly Hessler. “We are so privileged that she chose to make Peetz her home and love seeing her students perform in both band and choir concerts.”
They are particularly grateful to her this year as she has been displaced due to construction on the building and has been gracious and flexible to operate out of a new location and willing to make adjustments on the fly.
CALLIE JONES — JOURNAL-ADVOCATE
Jamie Wheelock helps students at Peetz School develop their musical talents.
dergartners are now seniors
She didn’t originally set out to become a music teacher In college, she double majored in both engineering and music, which was “quite a load and kind of expensive,” and after getting a taste of each of those worlds, she decided she would rather focus on a career in music.
when she was growing up in Sterling and studied under the tutelage of band teachers John Fabela and Marcia Wagner, while also taking private lessons with Bill Wurtz, who was retired at the time.
“I had excellent examples of music teachers and that’s what kind of got me thinking about that,” Wheelock said.
anything else but teaching music and doing it at Peetz
“I have a good relationship with the kids You spend your day with those kids, so I can’t imagine working another job. I consider them my employers,” she said with a laugh. “And for the most part, we get along really well, I think.”
Wheelock isn’t a parent, so she has enjoyed, from a teacher’s perspective, being able to watch her students grow and change and how some things stay the same about them and other things are different as they move from elementary to junior high and then high school. This year, she has two senior boys whom she has taught since they were in kindergarten and she has fond memories of them at that grade level, in fourth grade, etc.
“It’s a special thing. It’s a lot of work being a K-12 teacher, but I do value that, getting to know the kids well,” Wheelock said.
For her, the best part of being a teacher is getting to spend time with her students.
Wheelock has been at Peetz for about 12 years and this year she is celebrating a particularly special milestone as her first group of kin-
They’re so fun and funny most of the time,” Wheelock said “I know plenty of people that are not teachers and they work with adults and I hear stories about their jobs and I’m just so grateful I work with kids and not adults. They’re great.” PEETZ SCHOOL
Her passion for music started
Now, she can’t imagine doing
and has grow towers to grow all of its herbs. One of the school’s recent meals was steak kabobs with actual T-bone and ribeye steak.
“I want them to get the opportunity to eat healthy and learn that food can be fun and good and not have to be processed,” Monroe said One of the best parts of the job for her is that she gets to see all of the students, preschool through 12th grade, twice a day, “so you get the full dynamic of all the people
and you learn all of their personalities. It’s fun to get to know every kid,” she said And now that she’s been there a few years, she’s no longer referred to as “the lunch lady” but instead known to students by her name.
In addition to providing meals for students every day, the kitchen staff also prepares a lot of concession meals for games, plus there are class meals, the community is invited to eat with students on special occasions and holiday meals are offered for both students and their families
“We just do all sorts of fun things. We all engage in the kitchen, food
brings everyone together,” she said.
Monroe, who is the mother of twin 15 ½-year-old sons who attend Fleming and a three-year-old son, has won two awards during her time serving as nutrition director and recently attended a Healthy Meals Summit in Las Vegas
The work can be challenging though, especially making sure to follow government guidelines, but now with the meals all made from scratch, it makes meeting those guidelines easier as there are no preservatives and kitchen staff know exactly what’s in the food.
“It’s been a lot of fun — a lot
more work cooking everything from scratch, but we enjoy it,” Monroe said.
While she does enjoy the cooking, her favorite part of the job is without a doubt the students: “Seeing their faces every day, I get hugs from them. The families calling me just to say ‘hey, so and so has this and they need this’ and being able to be a small enough school that I can cater to families if they need something, or someone forgot their lunch and I need to make them something special, just knowing everybody.
“It’s a fun job. I’m lucky,” Monroe said.
Karl Donnelson goes extra mile for students
By Callie Jones cjones @prairiemountainmedia.com
Karl Donnelson is a relatively new addition to Peetz School but he has been helping students throughout northeast Colorado learn for nearly three decades now.
This is his 27th year in education. He has taught all over, including Otis, Haxtun and Wiggins School District. He also taught at Fleming School for eight years before making the move to Peetz two years ago to teach junior high math and science.
“I just needed a change,” Donnelson said.
His colleagues at Peetz are grateful he decided to make that change Donnelson’s Crystal Apple Award nominators, Superintendent Jeff Durbin and Principal Kelly Hessler, describe him as “a beloved part of our school team.”
“He is incredibly knowledgeable and patient and goes the extra mile for his students, including giving of his time and resources. He is always willing to jump in and lend a hand or his time for any need that arises. He establishes strong relationships with his students and many students view him as a trusted adult that they can come to for anything He is a very valuable asset to Peetz School and we are so grateful to have him as part of our staff,” they said.
Teaching is a second career for Donnelson. He started out doing environmental work for the Department of Energy, but after moving back home to Wray to raise a fam-
Lippstrew
FROM PAGE 2
Her second award nominator, Amy Brekel, called her a dedicated, hard-working para.
“As a former teacher, she does a terrific job working with small reading and math groups. She loves the students and is eager to help them succeed. Her enthusiasm rubs off on both students and teachers. I really appreciate the way
it, but they help me. They teach me more than I teach them, I think,” Donnelson said.
He says his favorite part of teaching is being able to help students learn about science, a subject he could spend all day talking about. He also enjoys the humor that his students provide.
“Some days are better than others but kids, if you can keep them motivated and interested in science, your day goes pretty quick,” Donnelson said.
Nearly 30 years later, he is glad he made the career switch to become an educator.
ily, he knew that teaching would probably be his best career option.
Over the years, he has taught different age levels from sixth to 12th grade, as well as college students. He enjoys the junior high age because they’re still motivated, whereas high school students have to be pushed a little more to get them to learn.
“They’re all just a little different; you’ve just got to find ways to get them motivated,” Donnelson said.
In addition to teaching math and science, he also serves as the coach for the junior high robotics team in the fall. While it’s primarily a high school event, there is a competition for the junior high level, which his students are anxious to take part in every year as they try to keep up with the high schoolers. At the 2024 Golden Plains BEST (Boosting Engineering, Science and Technology)
Ellen ‘reads the room’ and knows what needs to be done or who needs help,” Brekel said.
“She has a wealth of knowledge and shares some great ideas to try Ellen also offers to help out with recess duties and asks teachers if there is anything she can do to help out if she has spare time. Whether it’s quizzing students over flashcards, discussing stories, or working with small groups, Ellen is a tremendous help in the classroom!
Fleming Elementary is so grateful for all that she does!”
Robotics Challenge, the junior high team placed fourth and took home the Sportsmanship Award
“They do a really good job; they learn a lot about engineering and how to program. The kids love it. I don’t have a lot of background in
“I enjoy teaching. The kids are different every year; we have to figure out new things to keep them going and that always keeps it interesting. One year it might work, the next year they have no clue what you’re talking about, so you’ve got to do something different, so it always keeps you on your toes and you have to figure out the best way for those kids to learn,” Donnelson said.
CALLIE JONES — JOURNAL-ADVOCATE
Karl Donnelson, junior high math and science teacher at Peetz School, goes the extra mile for his students.
Brian Lewton has been voice for students and colleagues
By Callie Jones cjones @prairiemountainmedia.com
Brian Lewton never set out to become a college professor. It was a twist of fate that led him to Northeastern Junior College, where now he’s not only helping students achieve their goals but also serving as a voice for his coworkers.
Lewton is in his seventh year teaching economics at NJC Growing up in Akron, he set his sights on running the family farming business, which he did for a while with his wife and parents, but while he was in college earning his master’s degree, he decided to do some student teaching and found he really liked it.
“I thought, I don’t need my master’s degree to drive a tractor, but I’ll go ahead and get it while I’m there,” Lewton said.
It turned out to be a wise decision because in 2018, “farming got bad,” and he decided to make a career change. Fortunately for him, the economics instructor position at NJC just happened to be open.
“I love it, it’s a very fulfilling job,” Lewton said.
His Crystal Apple Award nominator, Becky Cranwell, commended his dedication to students, staff and the community of NJC
“I have worked with Brian for several years on creating an open education environment at NJC. What this means is that he has worked tirelessly to create an academic environment that offers as many courses with free materials and course textbooks for students as possible,” she said.
NJC has received three grants from the State of Colorado to help convert the cost of textbooks to less than $20 for courses and this endeavor has been very successful.
Brian
After learning about open education environments, they decided it might be a good thing to try to find some textbooks that would be almost free or free for students.
“It’s nice for them because college is so expensive It helps a little bit and they can spend a little bit of their own money somewhere else, which is good for a college student because they’re usually not flush with cash,” Lewton said.
He helps his students in many other ways, too.
CALLIE JONES — JOURNAL-ADVOCATE
I am always impressed with Brian’s compassion for students,” Cranwell said.
In addition to assisting students, she shared that Lewton has been an excellent representative for faculty and staff, serving as Faculty Senate president He said that was something else he just “fell into” after being asked to take it on.
ical during his tenure as Faculty Senate president and who worked fairly to represent the faculty at NJC.
“I still discuss concerns with Brian because of his logical and fair analysis of the situation at hand Brian’s involvement in the NJC community with representing staff at the system level in the Colorado Faculty Advisory Council, as well as helping to lead an Open Educational Resources committee and grants for OER and his leadership as a previous Faculty Senate president has helped to create a more open and community-based environment at NJC,” she said.
While Lewton enjoys working with his fellow faculty members, he will always most enjoy the students.
“My favorite part is the bond that you gain with the students When you have a good bond with the students, it helps them to more fully understand what you’re trying to teach them and it makes it a little less boring because economics is not exactly exciting stuff. I do like to have that bond with students and I think it just promotes a better learning environment and makes the job much more enjoyable,” Lewton said.
He also has enjoyed getting to meet students from many different places, whether it’s other parts of Colorado, other states, or even other countries, “We have so many international students here and people from all walks of life,” Lewton said
Lewton said that was something he just kind of stumbled into with Cranwell, when they went to a training in Fort Collins in 2019.
“Mr. Lewton is always available for his students, not only for academic concerns but for concerns with struggling to adapt to collegiate life and other struggles that many college students experience.
“I enjoyed that part because I got to represent everyone and learn more about all of the different kinds of faculty that we have here and get to know them better so that I could represent them to our administration and at the state level,” he said.
Cranwell described him as someone who was level-headed and log-
Now, having been at Northeastern for several years, he realizes just how special the college truly is.
“I think NJC is a vastly underrated school in Colorado, I think it’s one of the premier educational institutions for a two-year education and I never realized that growing up and I never realized how important having a college like this is to a community. I just think it’s an amazing place,” Lewton said. NORTHEASTERN
Lewton, economics professor at Northeastern Junior College, helps students succeed and serves as a voice for his colleagues.
Hillary Hykin fosters positive, dynamic learning environment
By Callie Jones cjones @prairiemountainmedia.com
Over Hillary Hykin’s 15 years at Caliche Elementary, the reading interventionist and librarian has touched the lives of many students but they have also made a lasting impact on her life.
“I am honored to nominate Hillary Hykin for the Crystal Apple Award in recognition of her exceptional contributions to Caliche Elementary and her unwavering commitment to her students’ growth and success,” said her award nominator, Jill Hill. “Hillary has been an inspiring and influential member of Caliche for over 10 years, consistently going above and beyond to foster a positive and dynamic learning environment.”
The Connecticut transplant always knew she wanted to follow in the steps of family members who became teachers, but she had to wait a while for her dream to become a reality. When she graduated from college, there were no teaching jobs. Instead, she worked in the corporate business world for about 10 years, always keeping up her teaching certification for when the time was right
Hykin spent time substituting in four school districts in Connecticut, Ohio, and Illinois before moving to Colorado when her husband got a job at Cabela’s. Former Caliche principal Doug Stutzman’s daughter was good friends with her daughter and when he found out she wanted to teach, he got her subbing. From there, she went on to become a paraprofessional at Caliche, then the librarian and finally the librarian and a reading intervention teacher, first for kindergarten through sixth grade and then, a couple of years ago, switching to fourth through eighth grade
“I wear a lot of hats in this place,” Hykin said
In addition to those positions, she is also in charge of the Book
Trust program, which provides students the opportunity to choose and keep their own books; keeps track of student data; and serves on a district Multi-Tiered System of Supports Committee and the district Calendar Committee
“Whatever comes up I do,” Hykin said.
“Hillary plays a pivotal role in cultivating a positive school culture She actively contributes to the elementary student council, where she mentors and motivates students to explore leadership roles. Her kindness, approachability and leadership make her an invaluable asset to the entire school community,” Hill said.
As the student council advisor, Hykin leads students in a community service activity every year. Two years ago, the students held a Cause for Paws Classroom Donation Competition, collecting goods for the Logan County Humane Society, and they will be doing it again this year Last year, they collected 3,140 new and used books for the Ronald McDonald House Charities.
Another recent project was the creation of a Buddy Bench, which will sit in the school library. Student council members from last year and this year chose words to write on the bench including “respect,” “courage,” “be happy,” “empathy,” “stay positive,” “be a buddy” and more, and then put their handprints on top and their signatures underneath the seat. The bench was built by a parent and after the elementary students had left their mark, the high school ag shop applied polyurethane.
“I have a great group of students this year,” Hykin said.
Hill said one of the things that makes Hykin a standout is her commitment to student success
“Hillary is deeply dedicated to the academic and personal growth of every student in her care She ensures that each student receives the individualized attention they need Hillary’s commitment to fostering a nurturing environment ensures that her students thrive and feel valued,” she said.
Something else that makes her
stand out is her innovative teaching practices.
“Hillary continuously incorporates innovative and creative teaching strategies that engage students and make learning enjoyable. She effectively blends traditional and modern teaching methods, integrating technology to enhance the learning experience and cater to different learning styles,” Hill said.
She also commended Hykin’s willingness to collaborate with coworkers.
“Hillary is a collaborative and supportive colleague, always eager to share her knowledge with others,” Hill said.
Hykin’s favorite thing about her job is, without a doubt, the students.
CALLIE JONES — JOURNAL-ADVOCATE
Hillary Hykin, reading interventionist and librarian at Caliche Elementary, fosters a positive and dynamic learning environment.
CALICHE JR./SR. HIGH
Megan Beckham helps students find their path after high school
By Callie Jones cjones @prairiemountainmedia.com
Figuring out what their path should be after high school can be a challenge for some students. Fortunately, the students at Caliche High School have Megan Beckham, student academic advisor, to help guide them
Now in her third year at Caliche, Beckham didn’t see a career in education when she graduated from high school. She planned to go into communications, which is what she majored in at the University of Northern Colorado. However, while studying in Greeley, she worked at the Boys and Girls Club with kids and found she enjoyed it and when life brought her back home to Sterling and she got a job at Northeastern Junior College.
“That’s where I really fell in love with working with students,” she said “It really opened my eyes to this is what I really like to do; I like to be on the education side.”
Beckham left NJC after nine years and spent a brief period working in Dr. Tony Gerk’s office, but it wasn’t long before she realized she missed working with students. So, when the academic advisor position opened up at Caliche, she jumped at the opportunity.
“I love it It’s been a really awesome time. I always swore off working with high school and middle school students, but I couldn’t imagine working with any other type of students now I just love the age range of them, they’re fun I love helping them get to know what they want to do in their future, helping them decide a career path, just kind of guiding them on the last bit of their high school educational career,” Beckham said.
The Caliche community feels fortunate that she is part of their school.
“Megan has only been at Caliche for a few years, but she has made an impact on all the lives she
One of the opportunities Beckham provides is college visits to help students get a better idea of what school will be right for them.
“A lot of times, they have this idea of what college is, but when they get to campus, it changes. They’re like, ‘Oh, this is not what I had envisioned,’ so it really just opens their eyes to more opportunities. I just like seeing the looks on their faces when we are at those visits,” Beckham said, adding, “Some of my students didn’t know they were going to go to a certain college until we visited that one and then they ended up going there.”
She has taken students to the University of Colorado in Boulder, the University of Wyoming, the University of Denver, UNC, Colorado State University, Chadron State College, Aims Community College and NJC.
has touched. She is making a profound impact on the students and school community through her unwavering dedication and compassionate approach,” said her Crystal Apple Award nominator, Crystal Jo Bruns
Bruns described Beckham as someone who goes above and beyond to ensure that every student she works with has the support and resources they need to succeed
“Whether guiding students through academic challenges, assisting with college and career planning, or simply offering a listening ear, she creates a welcoming and encouraging environment that empowers students to reach their full potential Her ability to connect with students on a personal level is amazing to watch,” Bruns said
Something new she has brought to the school is senior trips. Beckham said she was one of the first ones to start planning a senior trip. During her first year, students visited Estes Park, in her second year, the seniors planned to go to Win-
ter Park but had to cancel due to weather and instead donated the money to two families who are a part of the Caliche community and had lost loved ones, and this year’s seniors just returned from a trip to South Dakota over spring break
“It’s fun because they get to see me in a different light and I get to see them in a different light,” Beckham said.
Bruns pointed out that serving in a rural school district presents unique challenges, but Beckham approaches them with creativity and determination.
“She works tirelessly to provide students with opportunities that may not always be readily available in smaller schools, ensuring they have access to scholarships and academic enrichment programs. Her efforts bridge gaps and open doors for students who may not have otherwise considered higher education or vocational training,” Bruns said, noting that she has been doing all that while continuing her education and working on her master’s degree.
“Even students who are going to NJC, they think that they know what NJC is because they’ve been there for FBLA or FFA events or basketball games, whatever it may be, but when you actually tour NJC, it’s much different, it’s a different feel. I don’t think they understand that, I certainly didn’t when I was in high school,” she said.
For her, there’s nothing better than helping students decide where they’re going to go after they graduate
“I love to hear how excited they get when they get accepted into a college that they’ve been wanting to get into,” Beckham said.
She is truly touching the lives of students at CHS.
“Megan Beckham’s impact at Caliche is immeasurable. Her passion, dedication and tireless efforts to uplift students make her a perfect candidate for the Crystal Apple. She is not just an advisor — she is an advocate, mentor and inspiration to those around her. She is truly deserving and her contributions to Caliche and its students will leave a lasting legacy,” Bruns said.
CALLIE JONES — JOURNAL-ADVOCATE
Megan Beckham, student academic advisor at Caliche High School, helps students find the right path after high school.
AYRES ELEMENTARY
Assistant principal always making a positive difference
By Callie Jones cjones @prairiemountainmedia.com
Mary Harryman has only been at Ayres Elementary for three years, but she has been impacting the lives of young students for two decades now.
Harryman started her 23-year career at Brush Elementary, where she taught for seven years. But the Sterling native always knew she wanted to return home at some point, so when a job opened up at Campbell Elementary, she jumped at it and spent 13 years there. In 2022, she moved on to become the assistant principal at Ayres Elementary.
A fourth-generation educator, she decided to follow in the steps of her great-grandfather, grandmother and mother.
“I always just wanted to be a teacher. I’d play school, make bulletin boards I joke that I take the credit that my brother’s a doctor, because I would always play school and teach them I just always liked it and knew that’s what I wanted to do,” Harryman said.
She likes working with the young elementary students in particular because “they love you and their emotions may be big, but they’re excited to see you and you can help them navigate just doing school.”
Her dedication to not only students but also her colleagues doesn’t go unnoticed
“Mary is one of the hardest workers I know She has compassion for all and a passion for the students, staff and district. Although Mary lives 30 minutes from Ayres, she is one of the first to arrive at school each day. Once here, she is on the go, creating, planning and looking for ways to make a positive difference,” said her Crystal Apple Award nominator, Principal Shannon Holloway
She shared that Harryman works with the most challenging students, teaching them, supporting them and making sure they
“I always just wanted to be a teacher. I’d play school, make bulletin boards. ... I just always ... knew that’s what I wanted to do.”
— Mary Harryman, assistant pricipal at Ayres Elementary School
know they are loved and cared for.
“Although discipline is Mary’s primary role, she wears many hats on any given day, whether it’s lining up a McTeacher Night or decorating the lounge for our next celebration She supports teachers in the classroom, as well as all the support staff! She is a bright light in the school and is so appreciated!” Holloway said.
Harryman said stepping into the assistant principal position wasn’t something she was originally planning on. She had been teaching fourth grade at Campbell but found it was hard seeing her students leave and move up to the next grade level at the end of the school year So, when the assistant principal position opened up, she “took it as an opportunity that I could help support teachers with students, different types of students and also that I would get to help them be successful for three years.”
Her favorite part of the job is working through tough situations with students and seeing their success.
She says she wouldn’t be where she is today without her colleagues, who have helped guide her.
“Through all my teaching career, I’ve had a lot of great mentors, whether it was teachers when I was in Campbell — and Shannon was one of my big mentors and now I get to work with her There were just a lot of good examples,” Harryman said.
CALLIE JONES — JOURNAL-ADVOCATE
Mary Harryman, assistant principal at Ayres Elementary, is always looking for ways to make a positive difference at her school.
Cristen Wheeler is a true asset
By Callie Jones cjones @prairiemountainmedia.com
Cristen Wheeler is always working to help her students and colleagues improve.
A third-grade teacher at Campbell Elementary, Wheeler has been a full-time teacher for 13 years, 10 of those at Campbell, and in education for around 23 years. After subbing and long-term subbing for 10plus years and watching her own children enter school, she could tell it was a career that would be of interest to her.
“What I love about teaching is connecting individually with each student and exploring ways to guide them into reaching their greatest potential I love puzzles, and teaching third graders is that sort of a challenge to me because no two students are alike and finding ways to fit them all together as a community in one classroom, while at the same time meeting their individual needs, is like a puzzle coming together It takes strategic methods to accomplish this, and I enjoy that challenge,” Wheeler said.
She feels it’s a privilege to be a teacher and is grateful to call Campbell home, as it’s “full of wonderful teachers and great people.”
Her students and colleagues are also grateful to have her there.
“Cristen is an exceptional and dedicated educator whose commitment to her students and colleagues is truly remarkable,” her
CALLIE JONES — JOURNAL-ADVOCATE
Cristen Wheeler, third grade teacher at Campbell Elementary, is dedicated to helping her students and her colleagues succeed
Crystal Apple Award nominator, Beverly Schoenfeld, said. “She de-
votes countless hours, including weekends and several weeks during
the summer, to preparing engaging and individualized lessons that meet the diverse needs of her students.
“Her thoughtful approach to lesson planning ensures that all learners receive the support and challenge necessary for their success She is continuously seeking innovative strategies and differentiated methods to reach every student in her classroom.”
Beyond her dedication to student learning, Wheeler is an “invaluable leader” within the thirdgrade team.
“She goes above and beyond to ensure her colleagues have the resources and support needed for a successful school year. Each year, she takes the initiative to organize and prepare essential materials, update pacing guides and compile grade-level information to set her team up for success,” Schoenfeld said.
Wheeler’s leadership extends beyond the classroom as well.
“As a long-standing member of the school’s leadership committee and a mentor to newly hired thirdgrade teachers, she plays a vital role in shaping a positive and collaborative school culture. Her passion for the success of Campbell Elementary is evident in everything she does. Having dedicated her entire career to RE-1, she deeply values the growth and well-being of both her students and the district as a whole,” Schoenfeld said. “Cristen Wheeler is a true asset to our school community.”
FROM PAGE 7
“I love the kids, I love watching them grow. It’s great to watch them grow. After being here for so many years, I’ve seen them start preschool right through to graduation,” she said “I just love those ah-ha moments with them, when they get it.”
That’s something she will miss when she retires at the end of the
school year. While it will be bittersweet to leave, she says it’s time for her to spend more time with her husband, who retired a few years ago.
For the “city girl,” whose high school graduating class had almost 400 students, her time at Caliche has been life-changing.
“Caliche is an amazing place It’s unique — the staff, the kids, the community, everything about this place, I love it,” Hykin said.
“The kids teach me about animals and they teach me about what they
grow and I love it.
“I learn so much from these kids about everyday life and how their lives are so much different than what I grew up — it’s the difference between rural and city; it’s amazing. For me, it has been totally eye-opening.”
Just as her students have left a mark on her, Hykin’s positive impact on her students is undeniable
“Her dedication to their success is reflected in their academic achievements, confidence, and personal growth. Hillary’s exceptional
teaching has earned her the admiration of both her students and her peers, making her a standout educator within the school community,” Hill said.
“Hillary Hykin is an extraordinary teacher who exemplifies the qualities of excellence, dedication, and leadership that the Crystal Apple Award seeks to honor. I wholeheartedly recommend her for this award, as she consistently goes above and beyond to make a lasting difference in the lives of her students.”
STERLING MIDDLE SCHOOL
Kristen Hamil goes the extra mile to ensure student success
By Callie Jones cjones @prairiemountainmedia.com
Kristen Hamil has touched the lives of countless students both in the classroom and on the court.
Hamil is in her 17th year at Sterling Middle School, starting first as a sixth-grade teacher and then switching to eighth-grade math teacher in 2020. Before coming to SMS, she was a substitute teacher and a coach at Peetz School, then taught at Campbell Elementary. Up until this year, she also coached girls basketball at Sterling High School while teaching.
It was coaching that led her to a career in teaching. Hamil had just finished two years playing softball at Northeastern Junior College when a friend who was coaching volleyball at Peetz was struggling to find an assistant coach and she recommended another friend of hers That person only stayed one season, though, and soon Hamil found herself taking on the role.
Hamil initially planned on only taking a semester off, but that turned into two semesters when she started coaching basketball and before she knew it, it had been six years While coaching, she was substitute teaching and doing maintenance work for RE-1.
Eventually, she decided to go back to school and finished her bachelor’s degree through the Colorado Christian University program in Sterling.
“When it comes to an educator who goes above and beyond, it would be remiss to not think of Kristen Hamil. I have witnessed her growth in her personal life and
professional life and I am confident in her eligibility to be a Crystal Apple winner,” said one of her award nominators, Marybeth Skerjanec.
She went on to share that she has known “Hammy” since she was a teenager and watched her in triumph and failure, sorrow and joy, seriousness and willy-nilly.
“In all areas, she grows daily, but
in her professional world of education, she shows commitment, excellence and leadership,” Skerjanec said.
Hamil has a special place in her heart for middle school students.
“They are a chore but I think it’s kind of the most influential years because there’s so much growing and learning going on and they’re starting to get to that age where you be sarcastic with them, they start to kind of get that and understand a little bit more of that humor,” she said, adding, “They’re still learning and coming into their own, which makes it pretty cool They’re different every day for sure.”
Her students say, “She makes learning math easy, and if I don’t understand, she’ll help me until I do;” “We get candy if we earn it;” “She has a funny sense of humor;” and “She is considerate, caring and helpful.”
“As an eighth-grade teammate, she is all of those things and more. She always had a shoulder for sympathy, a smile for celebration and a hand when help is needed,” Skerjanec said.
Hamil’s favorite part of the job is getting to see her students develop and become good people.
“It’s not even so much about everything in the classroom, but just
CALLIE JONES — JOURNAL-ADVOCATE
Kristen Hamil, eighth grade math teacher, has been helping students at Sterling Middle School grow for over a decade.
HAMIL » PAGE 12
STERLING HIGH SCHOOL
Paula Etl helps students, athletes excel
By Callie Jones cjones @prairiemountainmedia.com
For over three decades, Paula Etl has been helping students excel in both school and athletics
Etl has taught science at Sterling High School since 2014 Her 32year career in education has also included three years at Fleming School, followed by a brief break from teaching when she had her children and then 18 years at St Anthony Catholic School before it closed and one year at Sterling Middle School.
While she thought about a couple of different job options, almost all of them involved teaching. Her mom was both a teacher and a coach, so it was in her blood.
During her career, she has taught all grade levels, starting with K-12, which she enjoyed. She was excited when she got to make the move to SHS because she had coached at the school not quite 20 years before she began teaching there.
“I do like working with the high school students, having those athletes that are older and are fun to work with and being in the same building with the athletes I was coaching was definitely a plus,” Etl said.
Her colleagues describe her as much more than a teacher.
“Paula is a resource for staff and students. Paula is the first one to volunteer to help take tickets at a sporting event, the first one to help a student with makeup work after school,” said her Crystal Apple Award nominator, Laura Clark. “Paula is one of the biggest advocates for students She is there when a student is celebrating or when a student requires support. Paula will challenge a student in
able to assist injured students on a limited basis thanks to her coaching experience. This school year she said the district has formed a “great partnership” with Banner Health, bringing on a certified athletic trainer and Etl works with him when needed. When he is at Caliche School events, she will cover at SHS and when Sterling has two teams playing on the same day, each person will cover one of the teams
“I enjoy that part because I still get to work with the athletes and students,” Etl said.
While she did coach a couple of boys teams at St. Anthony, she hasn’t done so at SHS. Being the training room supervisor has allowed her the opportunity to work with those students and see them grow outside of the classroom.
For Etl, her favorite part of her job is seeing the look of satisfaction on students’ or athletes’ faces when they succeed at something they worked hard at.
ways the student didn’t even know they were being challenged. Paula is an advocate for every student/ staff member.”
She went on to point out that becoming a teacher means making a difference in the lives of students and shaping them into the adults they’ll become with lessons that will last a lifetime.
“A teacher is Paula Etl. She challenges students and staff to go above and beyond. She makes us all want to be a better person,”
Clark said.
Etl said she is humbled to receive the Crystal Apple Award, noting, “We have lots of good teachers in
our building.”
In addition to teaching at SHS, she is a former girls soccer coach and a former girls basketball coach. Growing up, she participated in intramural sports, spending a lot of time in the gym and with a mom who coached, it was only natural for her to follow in those footsteps
“Working with those students who are particularly focused on a sport and watching them do the hard work and the competitiveness are all just things that I grew up with and love to do,” Etl said.
While she no longer coaches, she is now the training room supervisor Last school year, she was
“To see the pride they take in that and that confidence. Just seeing that look and seeing how they believe in themselves is probably the best part,” she said, adding that she has been blessed with the students and athletes she’s had the opportunity to work with over the years. “It’s been so rewarding to work with them. Even on the days there’s challenges, it’s never been a bad thing; I can’t say I’ve ever gotten up in the morning and said ‘I don’t want to go to work.’ I like to come to work.”
At this stage of her career, she has also enjoyed getting to watch as her former students have become teachers themselves.
“To see them as adults and the jobs they’re doing and the impact they’re having on the world is pretty cool,” Etl said.
FROM PAGE 11
to be able to see their growth over time,” she said, explaining that she has been fortunate with a few classes to have taught them in both
sixth grade and eighth grade. “To be able to see the growth in those kids between sixth and eighth grade was phenomenal.”
In a few instances, she’s not only taught students for two of their middle school years but also coached them all the way through their senior year of high school.
“Just to see them grow and kind of come into their own, become the people that they’re going to be is kind of neat,” Hamil said. Her impact cannot be understated.
“Ms. Hamil is an excellent educator. In her heart of hearts, she wants to see all of her students suc-
ceed and she will make the extra time, provide the extra support and go the extra mile to ensure student success,” said her second award nominator, Principal Joe Skerjanec “A teacher of rigor and empathy, I am proud to support Kristen’s nomination as a Crystal Apple Award winner at Sterling Middle School.”
CALLIE JONES — JOURNAL-ADVOCATE
Paula Etl, science teacher at Sterling High School, helps students excel in the classroom and in athletics.
RE-1 VALLEY SCHOOL DISTRICT
Affective Needs Program para goes above and beyond for her students
By Callie Jones cjones @prairiemountainmedia.com
Donna Zwirn has a special place in her heart for students who need a little extra help.
Zwirn has worked in RE-1 Valley School District for 15 years as a paraprofessional and is currently part of the district’s Affective Needs Program, which assists students who have been identified as having a serious emotional disability and who have frequently had behavior challenges and require more structure and time to build school-ready behaviors. Housed at Ayres Elementary, the program serves students from Ayres, Campbell Elementary and Sterling Middle School.
“Donna is the type of person to always lend a helping hand and make you feel welcome. She goes above her job duties by washing kids’ clothes, sending home food and making sure we have a clean and hazard-free building On cold days, she will pull out a shovel to ensure no one slips. Donna is caring, and you can see the love she shares for her students and co-workers,” said one of her Crystal Apple Award nominators, Sara O’Rourke. “Donna does all the extras without being asked She seeks opportunities to learn more. I have only known Donna for a month and a half, but I have felt so welcome by her and so impressed by her heart. As a special ed teacher, I can tell you, a good para is hard to find and Donna is a gem who goes above and beyond all the time.”
Zwirn originally intended to go into accounting, but then her family commented about how kids were always running up to her every time they saw her at Walmart and pointed out how she always wanted to open a daycare in her home.
“I always had kids in my house, my kids’ friends always came over and they called me mom,” she said.
So, she decided instead of accounting, she would go into early childhood education and earned a
“Donna is the type of person to always lend a helping hand and make you feel welcome.”
— Sara O’Rourke, Crystal Apple Award nominator
two-year early childhood assistant teacher degree. After working for RE-1 for a time, she spent 10 years at Eastern Colorado Services for the Developmentally Disabled and then came back to RE-1.
Asked what made her want to be a part of the Affective Needs Program, Zwirn said, “I just had the caring and loving for them.” Always going above and beyond, she has two special needs students who come to her house every day at 5:30 a.m., from there one goes on the bus to school and the other student’s mother comes and gets them and takes them to school.
“I just love the kids,” Zwirn said. “They’re always different, they run up to you and say I love you.”
Her dedication to students does not go unnoticed.
“Donna has demonstrated a high level of care and working with our kids Not only does Donna work as a SPED para, but she also helps in keeping the outside of our building from snow,” said her second Crystal Apple Award nominator, Joe Martinez.
“Whether it’s extra cleaning, scooping snow, or helping less fortunate students financially with books or backpacks, she truly goes above and beyond,” said her third Crystal Apple Award nominator, Jacqueline Alonso Holtorf. “All students love her and she creates lasting bonds and connections. She offers help to not only the Affective Needs Program but in her spare time will assist general education classes at Ayres Elementary. Her creativity and passion are admirable. Humans like Donna are lifelines to school districts and their success!”
CALLIE JONES — JOURNAL-ADVOCATE
Donna Zwirn, paraprofessional in RE-1Valley School District’s Affective Needs Program, goes above and beyond for students.
RE-1 VALLEY SCHOOL DISTRICT
Joleen Locke ensures students have full belly
By Callie Jones cjones @prairiemountainmedia.com
When students have a full belly, they tend to do better in school That’s why Joleen Locke is passionate about ensuring all students in the RE-1 Valley School District have something to eat.
“She is an amazing boss! She’s always thinking of and taking care of us girls in the kitchen. She works hard planning meals and making orders to provide healthy, nutritious meals to the cafeterias district-wide That’s a big job and she handles it with such grace as well as pride,” said one of her Crystal Apple Award nominators, Alicia Hansen.
Locke has been with the district for 14 years, eight years as a cook at Sterling Middle School and the last six as food service director for the district. When the previous director was retiring, she was approached about taking the position and it was a good option for her because her knees needed a break from standing all the time.
“I loved working in the kitchen and I loved the kids and I miss the kids, I miss that probably the most, but my body was breaking down,” Locke said.
She had her work cut out for her that first year in the director position when the COVID-19 pandemic hit. Schools may have been locked down, but she still found a way to keep feeding students who, in some cases, got their only meal of the day at school.
“COVID was hard,” Locke said. Grab-and-go meals were prepared in the Sterling High School kitchen and then served to families drive-up style in the parking lot and delivered to the Caliche community. On one occasion, someone drove up thinking the lunch station was a COVID testing site and eventually, concern for staff members possibly being exposed to COVID, as well as suspension of extra pay, led to services being halted With the help of volunteers from the Family Resource Center, services were able to restart and continued for the remainder of the school year and throughout the Summer Food
CALLIE JONES — JOURNAL-ADVOCATE
Joleen Locke, food services director for RE-1Valley School district, ensures all students are fed
Service Program.
“Food service doesn’t get a lot of recognition until something like that happens and then they wanted us to feed everybody and that’s what we’re here for. It’s not a glamorous job — it’s a great job, but it’s not very glamorous,” Locke said, adding that it is a “very rewarding” job. “It’s a privilege to get to serve the kids and make sure they’re getting fed every day.”
It’s also a hard job, there is a lot of paperwork and a lot of government guidelines, “things that people don’t even realize we have to do,” she said.
As food director, she has to make sure the district is not going over the limit allowed for added sugars and sodium, which was recently reduced; that they aren’t adding anything to food that might add calories and that they are serving whole grain or whole wheat and two kinds of milk. Each meal must
have so many grains, there must be legumes, dark red and dark green vegetables, etc. and there has to be a recipe for everything you serve, even condiments, and all of it has to be recorded.
“There’s a lot that goes into planning a menu,” Locke said.
There are strict requirements that schools have to follow to get reimbursed for the meals they serve; that’s why students must take a fruit and a vegetable even if they don’t want to eat them and why adults must pay for their meals.
Another challenging part of the job is free and reduced-price lunching. Now that RE-1 is providing free breakfast and lunch to students, Locke is responsible for verifying why students qualify for a free meal. She is grateful that RE-1 can provide that, though.
However, due to budget cuts, that program is now at risk with lawmakers looking at reducing the
number of districts and schools eligible for the U.S. Department of Agriculture’s Community Eligibility Provision, which allows districts with a certain number of students who qualify for free and reduced breakfasts and lunches to be able to serve free meals to all students. RE-1 is in its first year of the CEP, which is usually good for four years, but if cuts are made before that the district will have to go back to asking families to fill out forms to qualify for free and reduced-price lunch
“That’s hard to get people to fill those out because they don’t want to give that information. I’m the only one that sees it but they still don’t want to disclose,” Locke said. She is particularly proud of the success that the Summer Food Service program has seen. It draws around 250 to 300 youth to Prairie Park every day and on Pizza Day, which is every Wednesday, there are about 350 youth served. Locke has also enjoyed the community meal that Caliche School puts on every year, as well as special events like a meal with veterans for Veterans Day or a meal with police and she is excited about parents now being able to eat with their children again after that was paused due to COVID
While she no longer serves food to students every day, Locke enjoys being able to go around to all the schools and see what they are up to. Her favorite part of the job is the people she works with.
“I have 20 people that really care about the kids and they’re just all good people and they care that kids are getting fed,” Locke said.
She is particularly proud that there are certified people in every school kitchen In the past, the cooks had to take a food handlers course but this year they also had to take a manager course to get certified and at least two people in every kitchen had to pass and get their certification That requirement was met and at some schools, all of the kitchen staff passed.
Staffing has been a challenge since COVID but Locke does have nine consistent employees who started in the district at the same
Para ensures students get support
By Callie Jones cjones @prairiemountainmedia.com
Joan Hickam has been impacting the lives of young students for over two decades now.
Hickham is in her 10th year as a paraprofessional interventionist at Merino Elementary and before that, she spent 14 years as an English as a Second Language para at Campbell Elementary.
“It is very open, welcoming; they’re wonderful here,” she said about Merino.
“Joan is a true gem in our community. Her passion for her students is evident in everything she does. She works tirelessly to ensure that her students receive the best possible support and guidance during their time together,” said her Crystal Apple Award nominator, Jessi L. Stumpf. “With many years of experience as an educator, it is inspiring to witness her interactions with students. She consistently demonstrates a commitment to their growth and learning Joan is proactive in seeking ways to assist her fellow teachers, always asking how she can contribute. She is a reliable colleague who follows through on her commitments.”
Hickam didn’t originally set out to have a career in education. When
her children were younger, she volunteered in their classrooms and when they were all in school, she decided to get a job at the school, knowing it would be convenient so she would have the same time off that they did.
“And I love kids,” Hickam said about why she decided to become a para. “They’re just little sponges; they want to learn everything and it’s fun to see the growth, they grow so much.”
While in Sterling, she spent about 14 years working with Vicki Gertner, who helped her get her start in education. Now, as an intervention para, she spends her days working with small groups, the biggest being seven students, helping students who are struggling in different areas. She says her favorite thing is teaching math, something she could do all day
Her dedication to her students and her school is invaluable.
“I have observed Joan’s ability to adapt and take on various roles as needed, showcasing her versatility and dedication She never seeks recognition in return for her efforts, which speaks volumes about her character. Joan’s brilliance as an educator shines through her actions and I wholeheartedly believe she deserves this recognition,” Stumpf said.
PAGE 14
time she did or before and two of them, Yvonne Lee and Sandy Spahn, have been with RE-1 for 30 years now
She is grateful for them, as well as the great administrative team she works with and those willing to step up and help when she’s shorthanded
Her staff is just as grateful for her.
“Joleen Locke is the backbone of RE-1 Valley Food Service. She not only has to deal with the government end of our district’s food service, she also jumps right in when
we are short in our kitchens, as well as preps and prepares the food for our district meetings when needed We are very lucky to have her in our district,” said her second Crystal Apple Award nominator, Shaneen Lockman.
“Joleen is the backbone of the food service She isn’t just our director, she helps where need be. She makes meals for the Central Office when they have a meeting. She always has a smile on her face and is friendly when you see her anywhere. She’s always telling us we are doing good and is always there when we have something going on. We are lucky to have her in RE-1 and as our food service director,” said her third Crystal Apple Award nominator, Kelley Meyers.
CALLIE JONES — JOURNAL-ADVOCATE
Joan Hickam, paraprofessional interventionist at Merino Elementary, works tirelessly to ensure students receive the best support
MERINO JR./SR. HIGH
Nathan Schmidt helps students gain confidence
By Callie Jones cjones @prairiemountainmedia.com
The Crystal Apple Award honors those who go above and beyond in their profession, demonstrating unwavering dedication and serving as leaders and role models, those who give 110% to their work and make a lasting impact on students and colleagues.
“Nathan Schmidt is a true embodiment of this commitment. Hired in 2010 while completing his bachelor’s degree at UNC, he has spent the past 15 years as a junior high and high school math teacher at Merino. Nathan has a unique ability to teach math to students of all skill levels, making complex concepts understandable and even enjoyable. His passion for mathematics and creative teaching approach have helped countless students gain confidence and develop a true appreciation for the subject,” said his award nominator, Superintendent Lonnie Brungardt
A graduate of MHS, originally Schmidt planned to go into early childhood education, but during his first five days of college classes, he realized that the people who had the biggest influence on his life were his junior high and high school teachers and coaches. Knowing that he wanted to be able to have that same kind of “positive impact” on students of that age, he decided to make a change.
Wanting to teach in a small community like the one he grew up in, a twist of fate led him back to Merino
CALLIE JONES — JOURNAL-ADVOCATE
when one season ended, whether it be football, basketball, baseball, or track.
This year, though, will be his final year of coaching With his son, Coen, graduating and his daughter, Tenley, getting ready to enter the high school sports world soon, he wants to be able to watch her play sports, which he can’t do if he’s coaching.
“I’ve loved every second of it,” Schmidt said about coaching.
Overall, his favorite part about teaching and coaching has been the relationships he’s developed with both students and staff
when the math position opened up shortly before he’d finished his degree
“Obviously, I love the community here and the people and it was really an easy transition to come back into something that I loved being at,” Schmidt said.
Beyond the classroom, Schmidt has been a “pillar of Merino athletics,” dedicating himself to coaching football, wrestling, and baseball at both junior high and high school levels.
“Through 15 years of coaching, he has shaped student-athletes into leaders, instilling values of resilience, discipline and teamwork.
His ability to motivate and inspire has left a lasting mark, not only on their athletic abilities but on their character as well. Under his leadership, students have learned the importance of perseverance, accountability and being role models for others,” Brungardt said.
It was only natural that Schmidt would add coaching on top of his teaching duties because he has always really enjoyed sports. Growing up in a small community, there was always a need for students to specialize not just in one sport but to help out with additional sports and while in school, he was always looking forward to the next sport
“I’ve had a lot of former students come back, especially wrestlers, have a lot of previous wrestlers come back and they talk to you and you talk to them like they’re family. It’s just really good to see them and they take time out of their way when they’re in town to come over and visit, or come to the school and stop by, or come to wrestling practice to hang out. I’ve made some really good relationships with some of them and their families and it has been pretty memorable,” Schmidt said.
There is no doubt that he has made an impact on countless lives.
“As the administrator who had the honor of hiring Nathan, it has been truly rewarding to witness his growth over the years. His unwavering dedication is a testament to his deep sense of ownership in the Merino community and his commitment to its youth. The impact he has made, both in academics and athletics, will be felt for generations to come,” Brungardt said.
Nathan Schmidt, math teacher at Merino Jr./Sr. High School, helps students gain confidence in the classroom and on the field.