Kirkwood Key Contributor Award

Aubrey Perry was selected as the Key Contributor for Adventure Club Supports at North Glendale Elementary.

Aubrey is a valued part of the North Glendale family. Known for her warm heart and unwavering dedication, Aubrey pours love and intention into everything she does. She builds meaningful connections not only with her Adventure Club kids but also with students across the school, as well as teachers, staff, and administrators.

Here’s what others had to say:

“She genuinely loves her job and pours her heart into everything she does.”

“She’s always uplifting, compassionate, and willing to lend a listening ear.”

“She’s adaptable, patient, and has a gift for helping kids feel safe and seen.”

Shoutout to Markis Steele, Teacher Assistant at Robinson Elementary, for being named our Key Contributor for PreK-5 Classroom, Teacher and Student Supports! Markis brings energy, heart, and dedication to everything he does. From greeting students with a smile and a dance at the crosswalk to co-leading Future Leaders, a mentoring group for 4th and 5th grade boys. He builds strong relationships, supports students academically and emotionally, and helps create a school culture where every student feels seen and valued.

Thank you, Mr. Steele, for being a role model, a mentor, and a bright light at Robinson!

Sandy Diehl is our Key Contributor winner for our Transportation Support Team. She is a true cornerstone. Sandy has been a dedicated driver for years, but her impact goes far beyond the driver’s seat. She wears many hats across KSD, and never hesitates to jump in wherever she’s needed—especially when a route is left uncovered. Thanks to her flexibility and heart, she’s come to know nearly every route and every student in our care.

Reliable, kind, and always ready to lend a hand, Sandy is the kind of team member every organization hopes to have. We’re grateful for her commitment and proud to spotlight her!

We’re excited to celebrate Brian Reese, our incredible cafeteria lead at Keysor Elementary, as this year's Key Contributor for Food Support.

Brian is a truly wonderful human—generous with his time, dedicated to his work, and always beaming with positivity. With a permanent smile and a heart full of kindness, he brings joy and efficiency to every school day. The kids absolutely adore him, and the staff appreciate his hard work and dependable presence. Whether it's a calm morning or a chaotic pizza day, Brian ensures meals are prepared and served smoothly, keeping lunch lines moving with ease and a cheerful attitude. Brian treats every student with respect, creating a warm, welcoming atmosphere in the cafeteria. He goes above and beyond to support our school, always ready to lend a hand wherever needed.

We’re so grateful for his commitment. Thank you for nourishing our community with both meals and joy!

Claire Mitchener was selected as our Key Contributor for School and Building Supports. Claire brings calm, cool, and collected energy to our front office, making everyone feel welcome and supported. She’s super organized and keeps track of schedules, coverage plans, orders, and just about everything else with grace and a smile. Whether it’s organizing behind-the-scenes details or lifting spirits with a snack and a laugh, Claire makes a difference every single day. She supports students, families, and staff alike. She's eager to help however she can. Many say they couldn't do their jobs without her... and we agree! Thank you, Claire, for being the heart of Tillman. We’re so lucky to have you!

Chris Hunt, our amazing Head Custodian at Keysor, is our Key Contributor for Maintenance Support!

Since joining the Keysor family, Chris has made an incredible impact. He works tirelessly, always with a smile, and eagerly helps in every way he can. Friendly with both staff and students, Chris brings positive energy and pride to everything he does.

From sparkling floors to the fresh, welcoming atmosphere throughout the building, his dedication truly shines. Beyond his top-notch custodial work, Chris’s attention to detail and willingness to lend a hand, no matter the task, make him an essential part of our daily success. We are so fortunate to have Chris leading the way in keeping Keysor looking its best. Thank you, Chris!

We’re proud to recognize Jen Meister as our Key Contributor for her outstanding work in substitute supports! Jen is a true asset to NKMS—reliable, knowledgeable, and always ready to support both students and staff. She consistently shows up with a positive attitude and the skills to step into any classroom with confidence and care.

Teachers shared that Jen “can walk into any classroom and follow the substitute plans with ease,” and that “she even stops by to observe lessons so she can better support students with their work.” Her attention to detail and commitment to learning make her an invaluable part of the team. Thank you, Jen, for going above and beyond to support student learning and staff needs.

Sara Gibbs was selected as our Key Contributor for Physical, Mental, Social, and Emotional Supports. Sara's impact goes far beyond her title. She is a tireless advocate for students’ mental health and overall well-being, offering unwavering support to those on her caseload, along with any student or staff member in need.

Sara leads our Mental Health Coalition Club, empowering students and staff to engage in meaningful conversations about mental health and gain confidence in navigating life’s challenges. Whether it’s helping in classrooms, coordinating support services, or being a calm presence during moments of crisis, Sara shows up with grace, compassion, and purpose. Thank you, Sara, for everything you do to support the hearts and minds of our school community!

We’re excited to recognize Alex Eddings as a Key Contributor for his outstanding work in Technology Support across the district. Alex first started at Tillman Elementary, where he quickly became known for his calm presence, quick problem-solving, and willingness to help with anything. Whether it was assisting teachers on the fly, supporting students with tech tools, or fixing issues before anyone even asked, Alex made a lasting impact.

Now in his district-wide role, Alex continues to be a reliable, knowledgeable, and thoughtful teammate. He’s known for being responsive, strategic, and incredibly helpful, always focused on making things better for others. Thank you, Alex, for everything you do to support our schools!

Leanne Groves is our Key Contributor for Secondary Classroom, Teacher and Student Supports. She supports Nipher's Library as the Library Media Assistant Here’s what colleagues had to say about Leanne’s incredible contributions:

“Leanne goes above and beyond preparing for presentations and does so with her own spin and creativity.”

“Leanne can immediately offer a suggested book title and makes everyone around her feel both welcome and happy.”

“Students love visiting the library before school, during classes, and at any chance they can take to be in that comfortable, warm, and safe space. And Leanne is a big part of why this library is so wonderful.”

Leanne, thank you for your passion, your creativity, and your commitment to making the library a place students are excited to visit. Your work truly makes a difference!