District 308 Recognizes Monthly PRIDE Award Winners

OSWEGO, IL —District 308 announced the December 2018 and January 2019 winners of the Proudly Recognizing Individuals Demonstrating Excellence (PRIDE) program at Monday's Board of Education meeting. Each month, the program recognizes two teachers, an employee and a volunteer for their dedication to students.

"Our district takes great pride in recognizing individuals who are dedicated and committed to our students and our schools," said Dr. John Sparlin, superintendent of schools. "It is through their continuous dedication and commitment that our students and staff achieve their goals."

December's winners are:

• Allied First Bank - Teachers of the Month: Rebecca Schumacher, K-3 Deaf and Hard of Hearing Special Needs teacher at Prairie Point Elementary School; and Mary Soto, Special Education teacher in the Life Skills Program at Churchill Elementary School
• Huntington Learning Center - Employee of the Month: Kimberly Manna, principal’s secretary at Prairie Point Elementary School
• Chick-Fil-A - Volunteer of the Month: Kathy Tollaksen, volunteer at Long Beach Elementary School

January's winners are:

• Allied First Bank - Teachers of the Month: Zenaida Lopez, 1st grade teacher at Boulder Hill Elementary School; and Gary Mosley, Special Education Math teacher at Oswego High School
• Huntington Learning Center - Employee of the Month: Kelissa Ponce, Dean’s Assistant at Thompson Junior High School
• Chick-Fil-A - Volunteer of the Month: Sandy Ramirez, volunteer at Long Beach Elementary School

Chick-Fil-A Volunteer of the Month George Bailey, who volunteers at Oswego High School was also recognized for the month of November.

Nominees included Jill Bean, Hana Bridge, Mike Cavello, Michael Everson, Rachel Fitzgerald, Cristina Hernandez, Lisa Hrouda, Christine Kirkwood, Frank Tieri, Brian Fauth, Maureen Dehler, James Johnson, Abby Campbell, Tyler Haymond, Christine Victorin, Staci Mardsen, Corie Folley.

Officials say the winners receive recognition and prizes from partner sponsorships with Allied First Bank, Huntington Learning Center, Chick-Fil-A, Carson Chiropractic, The Cheesecake Factory, Costco, Culver’s Domino’s Pizza, Five Guys, Hand & Stone Massage and Facial Spa, Hennessy’s RiverView Ford, Hetts Auto Sales, Keith’s Car Care, Kumon Math and Reading Center of Oswego, Lou Malnati’s, Paramount Theatre, Papa John’s, Pinot’s Palette, Raging Waves Waterpark, Rosati’s Pizza, Rush-Copley Healthplex, Sky High Sports – Naperville, South Moon BBQ, Texas Roadhouse, The Turf Room Restaurant.

Image via District 308