Rachel Guidotti, 6th grade English teacher at Cheyenne, was nominated for BELONGING. "Rachel always creates an environment in her classroom where all students can be successful, belong, and safe. Her room is a representation of our school guidelines for success and our district core values. She has incorporated these values into her English lessons and can be seen in student work on the walls in her room. This month she has created an activity with hearts that have positive affirmations on the door. Students at the beginning of the hour are selected to go up to the door and read aloud one of the hearts that represents them."
Alyssa Guider, special education teacher at Sequoyah, was nominated for COLLABORATION. "Alyssa Guider is a prime example of how the Core Value of Collaboration is demonstrated. Alyssa could easily stay in her classroom and focus on what is happening there. Instead, she is in constant communication with her students' teachers and parents. She communicates with the Classroom Assistants in her program and listens to their input. She is on the Safe and Civil and Professional Development committees and constantly works with members to provoke discussion and provide possible solutions. Alyssa's presence is felt around the building because she works so hard to involve others in the decision making process of figuring out what is best for not just her students, but all the students in the building. She understands the importance and benefits of pooling the knowledge of others to create a collaborative environment."