Kirkwood Key Contributor Award

Rachel is a natural-born leader who is very passionate about the work she does. Always willing to go the extra mile, making sure everyone has the tools they need to be successful in the Adventure Club program. When it comes to AC, Rachel is our total utility player! She can truly jump into any environment naturally and make an immediate positive impact. She serves as an ongoing support to students, staff and families alike. She finds joy in facilitating fun, hands-on activities for the whole group and loves to get messy with slime, as well as play-doh to name a few. Her 14 years of experience in the before and after care world serves to benefit our program at all five sites in a multitude of ways each day. She is a learner at heart and always ready to take on the next adventure to enhance opportunities for students! Thanks for all you do for our kids, Rachel!

Susan Whitfield is Robinson's amazing Behavior Support Specialist. She’s an integral part of the Robinson counseling and social worker teams to help identify students who may need some outside classroom support. Mrs. Whitfield connects with students during recess, supports student learning in classes, provides motor breaks, and truly pitches in any way possible. She is always the first one to offer help and support others, she is flexible and easy to work with. Susan has many tools in her toolbox to help students regulate. Kids trust and respect her because she cares for them and never gives up no matter what a student does. Mrs. Whitfield is student-centered and does whatever it takes to meet each student where they are. We are grateful for all that she does to make Robinson a safe, caring, equitable community.

Francis Nguyen is a First Student bus driver for both our Westchester and North Kirkwood Middle School routes. Francis is first in line almost every day. He is so eager to greet his students and ensure they have a positive experience on the bus. He shows up every day with the biggest smile. He knows all of his kids and even celebrates them at the end of 8th grade with supplies they may need for high school. Thank you for bringing smiles to our students’ faces every day. Your positive energy and sense of humor make our bus rides fun and exciting. You are truly one in a million!

Carmen is on our Chartwells team and serves hundreds of students at North every day. She is receptive to feedback and always engages students when they want to share their ideas about the cafeteria. The cafeteria staff appreciate her leadership, and together they have created an efficient system to get our students fed each day. Carmen leads by example doing every job that exists in the kitchen, on the line, and behind the register. She ensures that each student is greeted with a smile and fresh, hot food. She has everything prepped and prepared on time and makes sure that each of the kids have a positive experience when they come through the lunch line whether it is just with a smile or a lighthearted laugh, she really sets the tone in the cafeteria.

Rachel supports our Nipher team in her role as the building secretary. She is kind and upbeat, and she is a super resource for students, parents, and staff. Rachel is self-driven, often getting started on projects where she sees a need even before others notice that need. She's always willing to help, and her organization skills are extraordinary. She is such a positive role model - Rachel is fun, yet serious. She is caring, yet stern. She is optimistic, yet realistic. Students LOVE to hang out in the office at any free moment they have to share a laugh with Miss Rachel. Staff also love to hang out in the office during their downtime to also get a little of her positive energy.

Richard Lamberty is a technician in our Maintenance and Facility Department. He is a diligent, detailed, and very hard technician. Rich's focus on detail and his ability to look ahead and anticipate future potential issues is instrumental to preventing future problems from arising. Rich consistently goes the extra mile by tapping into his vast trade knowledge. Rich is conscientious and courteous to staff and students when he interacts with them. Rich is informative to the building administrative staff when dealing with issues that arise in their building. Rich is well regarded in the district as someone to count on at a moment's notice.

Tracy is a permanent substitute teacher at Keysor Elementary. She comes in with a positive attitude each day and is eager to help in any way she is needed for that day. Students and colleagues all love her and appreciate all that she does for Keysor. Tracy is very intuitive, and she often knows what is needed before she is even asked. Students love her, and she brings joy to any space she is in, with her dance parties, great laugh, and listening ears. She has a heart for children, a heart for service, and a heart of pure GOLD. According to the Keysor kids, she is better than Messi AND Taylor Swift.

Jamie is the social worker for the Pioneer Pathways alternative program at KHS. She is the greatest ally for many of our district’s most marginalized students. When our Pioneer Pathways students need her, she always finds time for them, both in the Innovation and Discovery Centers. Our students trust Jamie, and will ask for her by name when they are in crisis, whether minor or major. She establishes constructive relationships with our students’ families, and maintains a positive and professional demeanor at all times. Jamie always puts the well-being of our students at the forefront of her efforts.

Alec supports our Nipher Team as the technology specialist. Alec is incredibly prompt, helpful, patient, friendly, and hardworking. He is always willing to help solve any kind of technology need. He helps by navigating tech issues, whether they stem from student iPads, staff laptops, or is sometimes the case...operator error. Our teachers and students are confident trying new techology resources as Alec is always just a step away to offer support, guidance and help. If Alec doesn't have an immediate solution, he researches and takes the time to find solution.

Pamela Sigsby supports our North Kirkwood Middle School team in the library. She works so hard to make sure every child/staff member is represented and can see themselves in the library displays. She is always thinking of inclusion. She offers great resource suggestions and helps with lessons. She is kind and thoughtful to staff and students alike. She goes out of her way to help others, and she makes everyone who enters the library feel welcome. Her creativity is endless! She consistently goes above and beyond to beautify the library and the hallway through stellar themed bulletin boards and decor.

Our NKMS team is grateful for Mrs. Sigsby!