Today our district celebrated 10 outstanding educators at our annual staff kickoff. These brand new awards recognized exceptional contributions across our five strategic plan priorities: Instructional Excellence, Career & College Readiness, Belonging & Well-Being, Engaged Communities, and Safe & Engaging Learning Environments. We loved being able to celebrate our 150 Community VIPs last year, we wanted to celebrate our exceptional staff as well. We had 117 unique nominations from parents, students, staff members, and community members. Folks may view the whole list of nominations on our Staff Award Winners web page.

Honoring Instructional Excellence

We opened our ceremony by recognizing two educators who exemplify our commitment to effective, inclusive teaching that puts student voice and agency at the center.

Ann Henson received our Student Impact Award for her transformative influence on students. Student nominations described her classroom as having "Henson's Magic," noting how learners who initially struggled to engage became active participants asking for help and wanting to contribute. One student wrote, "Even when I felt like my writing was not good enough, it was good enough for her. Her comfort and strength during a very difficult time in my life gently pushed me to start trying a little harder."

Kyle Ely earned our Professional Practice Award for exemplifying data-driven instruction and collaborative professionalism. Ely meticulously collected and analyzed classroom management data for an entire month, then transformed it into clear visual communications that helped parents understand their child's school experience. His nomination highlighted his reflective approach: "When things weren't going well, he looked inward and asked what he could do differently to change his students' learning trajectories."

Preparing Students for Their Futures

Our Career & College category celebrated educators who excel at connecting classroom learning to real-world applications and future pathways.

Rebecca Miller was honored with our Future Ready Award for her commitment to building student confidence alongside academic skills. Miller's innovative "tree lab" project engaged students in authentic scientific research at a local park, while her individual dedication was demonstrated by spending thirty uninterrupted minutes helping a student master challenging concepts without ever showing impatience.

Erin Cole received our Real-World Connected Award for extensively linking science education to career exploration. Cole's students work directly with professionals like Water Quality analysts and Wildlife Biologists at the Clackamas Community College Environmental Learning Center, conduct authentic ecological studies, and explore career pathways through monthly guest speakers in the Science National Honor Society.

Fostering Belonging and Well-Being

Our Belonging & Well-Being awards recognized staff members who create inclusive environments and proactively support student mental health.

Bernardita Rocha earned our Lift and Lead Award for building a classroom culture that celebrates effort over perfection. Through recognition systems like secret student awards and marble jars, Rocha creates an environment where students feel safe to take risks and learn from mistakes. As one parent shared, "I've seen my daughter blossom this year in so many ways because of what Sra. Rocha does and who she is for the kids!"

Marlene Bayless received our Wellness Award for consistently serving as a "bright light" for our students. Parent testimonials described how students consistently speak positively about Miss Marlene's kindness and caring approach. Her daily interactions model kindness and provide the positive connections that help make school a welcoming place for all students.

Strengthening Our Community Connections

Our Engaged Communities awards celebrated staff who build essential bridges between our schools, families, and broader community.

Principal Josh Bryan received our All-In Award for his compassionate leadership and unwavering commitment to our students and families. A parent nomination from a first-year district family described finding "far more than I could have hoped for," crediting Bryan's heart-centered approach to leading a school that serves students with diverse and complex needs. "Whether he's supporting a student in crisis, helping families in need, or ensuring every child has access to opportunities, Mr. Bryan demonstrates what it means to lead with both heart and action."

Sara Pilorget was honored with our Connector Award for seven years of dedicated service supporting students with disabilities and their families. Her nomination emphasized her ability to see beyond challenges to recognize each student's potential while helping families navigate our system effectively. Beyond individual support, Pilorget leads district-wide inclusion initiatives like our Welcome to My World project, ensuring student voices drive systemic improvements.

Creating Innovative Learning Environments

Our final category recognized educators who design safe, engaging, and innovative spaces for learning.

Sara Gallandt earned our Spark Award for her creative problem-solving as PBIS coordinator at Redland Elementary. Gallandt transformed routine school assemblies into meaningful character-building experiences and creatively addressed the perennial "lost and found" challenge by incorporating it into student leadership opportunities during assemblies. Her expansion of family engagement through themed family nights demonstrates her commitment to building our school community.

Haley Pixler received our Space Maker Award for transforming Beavercreek Elementary's library into what colleagues describe as "a vibrant, inclusive gateway to the world." Pixler proactively coordinates accommodations for students with diverse needs and creates experiences that help all students develop a love of reading. As one team member noted, "Her library is not just a room—it's a home for connection, friendship, and learning."

Reflecting Our District Values

These awards align with OCSD's core values of relationships, and student-centered learning. Each recipient demonstrates how educational excellence extends far beyond academic metrics to encompass the development of the whole student and the strengthening of our entire school community.

Career Readiness

OCSD Recognizes Outstanding Educators with 10 New Staff Awards