Carson City School District honors educators and employees of the year

Nicolas Jacques, music teacher at Carson Middle School, was honored April 23 as the Carson City School District’s Educator of the Year. Additionally, James “Jim” Pike, special needs school bus driver for transportation, was recognized as the Education Support Professional (ESP) Employee of the Year for the district.

During the school board meeting and annual event, the Carson City School District also recognized Vicki Thomas, LPN, school nurse at Empire Elementary School, who was honored as Health Professional of the Year, and Tasha Fuson, principal at Carson High School, was named Administrator of the Year.

Jacques and Pike were selected from 25 site winners including 11 teachers and 14 ESP employees who were selected from peers and administrators from various sites and schools within the district. Health Professionals and Administrators of the year were selected from nominations from 11 health professionals and 27 school administrators. Each candidate endured a series of strenuous interview questions from a panel of comprehensive judges. Upon conclusion of those interviews, the panel then made the difficult decision of selecting “one” ESP employee of the year, “one” educator of the year, “one health professional of the year and “one” administrator of the year.

Other ESP employees and Educators of the Year winners recognized and honored (by their site alphabetically) April 23 include:

Kimberly Cooley, distance education assistant at Carson High School; James Bean, physics and astronomy teacher at Carson High School.

Ian Truesdell, computer network support technician at Carson Middle School; Nicolas Jacques, music teacher at Carson Middle School.

Robert Ligon, lead custodian II at Eagle Valley Middle School; Mary “Katie” Larkin, Spanish teacher at Eagle Valley Middle School.

Tyler Mireles, para professional IV (1:1) at Al Seeliger Elementary School; Robin Kato Brong, TOSA/Elementary STEM coach at Al Seeliger Elementary School.

Triana Tijerina, para professional ESL at Bordewich Bray Elementary School; Amy Jensen, fifth grade teacher at Bordewich Bray Elementary School; Maria Alvarez, para professional ESL at Empire Elementary School; Adrienne Wiggins, TOSA/math coach — Title I at Empire Elementary School; Naomi Redwine, library media technician at Fremont Elementary School; Sarah Quisenberry, third grade teacher at Fremont Elementary School; Lynette Putzer, office manager at Fritsch Elementary School.

Bonnie Benson, fifth grade teacher at Fritsch Elementary School; Lenys Salazar Cano, para professional ESL at Mark Twain Elementary School; Miriam Arroyo, ESL teacher at Mark Twain Elementary School; Monica Ward, office manager at Pioneer High School; Phyllis Atkinson, science teacher at Pioneer High School; Nancy Stilwell, senior office specialist II for Student Support Services; Kimberly Shepherd, adaptive physical education teacher for Student Support Services; James “Jim” Pike, special needs school bus driver for Transportation.

Karen Jackson, administrative secretary - Facilities Bond Projects for Operations; Ariel Heinz, human resources analyst for the District Office.