2019 Educator of the Month Winners

Rick Merrill presents the 2019 Educator of the Month award to outstanding educators in Snohomish County.  The recipient receives a plaque and $500 to help defray miscellaneous expenses for the classroom.

The Law Offices of Rick H. Merrill has been a part of the Snohomish County community since 1994.  It is important to Rick to support our neighbors, local businesses and schools.  Rick partnered up with local radio station KXA 1520 am to sponsor a local educator each month.  

Rick Merrill is recognizing our educators for their hard work and sacrifices. Who demonstrate their care and commitment to each generation of children.   Winners are presented a plaque donated by Awards Service, Inc., a great big check to display, and $500 to help defray miscellaneous costs for the classroom.

2019 January Educator of the Month Liz Panagos of Granite Falls School District.

Open Doors Program has been a solid place for Snohomish Counties homeless, and unengaged youth.  Liz and the rest of the staff with the help of the community help to shape and give second chances of success to students that we’re failed by traditional education systems, or had issues of homelessness, young parents, or abuse. 

Every Monday they have pancakes and play games, while they do their homework.  This reminds them about simple happiness and the fulfilled sense of accomplishment for completing educational goals. 

Nominated by Aaron

2019 February Educator of the Month Leslie Waldorf of Lake Stevens School District.

She is an incredible teacher that not only makes instructional decisions to support and include each student, but she creates genuine relationships that build classroom community and resilience in students. To this day she remains in contact with previous students giving them advice or even contributing to their college tuition.

This year has been incredibly challenging for her due to the loss of a student over the winter break. Not knowing what to do in this situation, she has gone above and beyond to ensure that her students are heard and get enough support to navigate this traumatic experience. Not only is she helping her students, but she continues to keep in touch with the family; even creating a memento book with letters from the students.

She is genuine, giving, and most of all, creates lifelong relationships with her students that positively impact them even after they exit her class.  

Nominated by Brianna

2019 March Educator of the Month Stacey Wartenbee of Everett School District.

Mrs. Wartenbee teaches 2nd grade at Lowell Elementary in Everett and has done so for the past 10 years. She was my daughter’s first grade and second grade teacher. Now she is the 2nd grade teacher for my son.

Mrs. Wartenbee is kind, caring, dedicated, and supportive of all children in her classroom. She is always looking for resources for the kids, offering to give them classroom supplies, raised funds to purchase each child in the class a new book every month, reached out for a grant to get updated equipment for her students, and routinely reaches out to parents to check in and ensure kids needs are met at home as well.  Mrs. Wartenbee maintains good contact with parents and provides updates daily for the children.

This year she has a Russian speaking student. She continually engages with him using her phone translation services. That child has made progress in his spoken English that I think is mostly impacted by her patience, kindness, and dedication to that child.

Mrs. Wartenbee volunteers at each school event, helps coordinate the yearly play, and is involved in the PTA. She is always positive and takes on these tasks with grace.  I certainly feel she is an incredible human being with a heart of gold. She is well deserving of educator of the month. 

Nominated by Rachel

2019 April Educator of the Month Sheena York of Marshall Elementary School in the Marysville School District.

Sheena is a mother of two young children, who teaches 2nd grade. She recently completed her Masters in Science for Curriculum and Instruction, all while conducting a happy,healthy and exciting classroom. She will go the extra mile with her time and own expense to make sure her kids have the needed tools to succeed.

Ms. York is one of the most dedicated and caring teachers I have ever had the pleasure of knowing. She goes above and beyond for every student. She goes out of her way to not only know what each student needs but what she could be doing to better their education and experience.

She researched different chairs styles to accommodate the various learning styles children need.

Sheena has worked since she was 15 yrs old. Supported two kids while attending school. She has tutored college students on her own time. She always has time to help a friend. Never forgets birthdays or special occasions even if you are not an immediate family member. Also has obtained her master’s while raising her babies, purchasing a home and working.

Sheena is a compassionate and loving teacher. Her choices to teach the underprivileged youth have come as a cost to her own but she does not let that impede her desire to help offer support to those that need it most. This teacher is always there to greet you with a smile and her positive outlook is infectious.

Sheena demonstrates to students how to treat others fairly and is a friend to all. I admire her work and ethics in teaching students strong morals and how to make learning fun and interesting.

Sheena is a very dedicated teacher that loves her students and is always willing to put forth extra including out of her own pocket for the success of her students.

Sheena is very inspiring not only to her students but also other teachers. She strives to create an innovative classroom and learning environment. She is constantly searching for new ways to obtain the utmost in educating.

2019 April Educator of the Month Cheryl Anderton of the Twin City Elementary in the Stanwood School District.

She is a highly capable 4/5th grade teacher and goes above and beyond to make sure these kids get a great education, have lots of field trips to put their learning into action.  They are all involved with helping the community doing park clean up. They also help college students that are doing internships with the parks department, to develop ratings for the hikes for people with kids to know the obstacles and difficulty level.

She spends her own money on books to make sure all the kids in her class have what they need to do the work. She has a school class web page that her and the class developed and she emails parents all the time to keep everyone engaged and on the same page.

She has the patience of a saint! Highly gifted kids can be overwhelming and she is always so calm.  I wish every kid had a chance to have a teacher like her to encourage them.

Nominated by Christina.

2019 May Educator of the Month Katy Trapp of Lakewood High School.

I am writing to nominate a very passionate music Director at Lakewood High school, Mrs. Katy Trapp for Educator of the Month. Mrs. Trapp has been the Lakewood High School Music Teacher since 2008 and she directs the Music Appreciation class/Piano Techniques, LHS Band, Concert Choir, the LHS Jazz Choir, ‘Swingbeat’, the LHS Jazz Band, ’11th Avenue’.

Mrs Trapp is an inspiration to her students, helping students feel successful with their instrument or vocal abilities. She increases everyone’s desire to continue with music throughout their high school career. She makes a positive difference in the lives of all her students while motivating, challenging and encouraging them to be more confident in the music they make.

For the past 10 years, she has managed to take LHS Band, Jazz Choir and recently the Jazz Band to trip Disneyland to perform in the park’s parade, perform on stage and have a 90-minute workshop with Disney professionals. She does all the planning and negotiations, arrangements for the transportation, hotel, and food while keeping the cost for each student under $1,000. Her dedication to this trip takes long hours and many months of planning.

Last year the 3-year-old LHS Jazz Band, ‘11th Avenue’ won the largest division at the International 44th Annual Pleasant Hill Jazz Festival in Springfield Oregon!

As students, we learn the value music and everything that goes into it, of striving to become better musicians and prepare ourselves for a high level of performance. She also teaches us how to perform with passion and commitment.

Mrs. Trapp helps spark a desire for students to continually improve their musical skills and at the same time, also make a positive environment by creating a family love within the music program.

Thank you,

Katelynn C. A student in the Wind Ensemble band, Jazz band, and Jazz Choir.

2019 November Educator of the Month Scott Miller of Centennial Middle School.

Scott Miller is a selfless individual who always puts his students first. 

A few years ago he and my youngest son, Conner started a gardening club and school garden at Centennial Middle School to bring to young students the ideas of healthy living and sustainability practices.  This fledgling idea has taken root and is growing to include outside community support. 

Mr. Miller inspires youth and adults to be more than they think they are and he is always giving of his time, energy and enthusiasm for his students!

Nominated by Kim M.

2019 December Educator of the Month Lucci Fonseca of Pinewood Elementary School.

Ms. Fonseca has been teaching for more than 15 years in the district, assisting the English language learners students in the district. She also supports the Spanish speaking families at her school, supports the  staff and Principal with family events, interpreting and translating when she has a chance.

She also shares her talent with families in multicultural events, and encourages students to share their heritage, either dancing, singing or doing some kind of parent event.

She lives in Seattle and has been driving every day back and forth to Marysville to see her students and families.

She deserves to be the Educator of the month because she always gives more than her job description. She is well prepared and her expertise as a Teacher is gladly appreciated in our district.

Now Ms. Fonseca is coaching other new teachers that will be teaching to non English speaking students. She has a great personality, always happy and welcoming to all families. We love to have her in our district.

Nominated by Wendy M.

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