The annual Queen Creek Unified School District (QCUSD) Awards of Excellence celebrate outstanding educators and staff members who have shown dedication to serving both students and the community.
They honor individuals who achieve excellence, lead with integrity, and empower others around them. These individuals also embody the core expectations of QCUSD: Be kind. Be respectful. Show integrity. Each year, school and district staff members have the opportunity to anonymously nominate their peers for this award. Following the nominations, a committee carefully selects two winners from each school to receive the Awards of Excellence.
This year, the school district acknowledged 28 teachers and staff members for their noteworthy contributions to QCUSD.
Award winners were surprised with the good news during the school day by Superintendent Dr. Perry Berry, so the award could be celebrated surrounded by their students and colleagues. A ceremony took place at the Queen Creek Performing Arts Center to formally acknowledge their awards and contributions to QCUSD.
Here's the complete list of this year's award winners:
Desert Mountain Elementary
- Tiffany Cooney - 3rd and 4th Grade Teacher
- Ruth Martinez - Instructional Aide/Flex
Schnepf Elementary
- Suzanne McCullough - PE Teacher
- Tatiana Eslinger - Crossing Guard/IA Reading
Faith Mather Sossaman Elementary
- Sara Hardwick - 3rd Grade Teacher
- Kim Joynt - Administrative Clerk
Silver Valley Elementary
- Sisley Heitzman - 2nd Grade Teacher
- Ralph Meade - Instructional Aide/Flex
Frances Brandon-Pickett Elementary
- Dana Miklus - 6th Grade Teacher
- Megan Andrews - Crossing Guard/Aide Flex
Newell Barney Junior High School
- Theresa Murtha - SPED S Teacher/C Cross Cat
- Manuel Martinez - Security Guard
Gateway Polytechnic Academy
- Amanda McGuire - 2nd Grade Teacher
- Meghan Barrett - Instructional Aide/SPED
Queen Creek Junior High School
- Donna Vanney - ELA Teacher
- Sonya Rodriguez - Health Office Assistant
Jack Barnes Elementary
- Marcia Hull - 1st Grade Teacher
- Cassandra Smith - Library Media Assistant
Eastmark High School
- Ivy Feldhausen - Math Teacher
- Jeff Brown - Equipment Manager
Katherine Mecham Barney Elementary
- Jenna Thrall - 1st Grade Teacher
- Shawna Shreeve- Library Media Assistant
Queen Creek High School
- Kevin Honea - Equipment Manager
Queen Creek Elementary
- Jeff Sutter - Teacher/SPED Resource
- Brittany Robinson - Administrative Assistant
Crismon High School
- Elizabeth Ridout - Math Teacher
- Bertha Patino - Receptionist
QCUSD District Office
- Dave Doerzman - Business Office - Purchaser
Congratulations to all the Award of Excellence nominees for their accomplishments and dedication.
