The Plano School District will host its eighth annual “Salute to Service” awards ceremony on Monday, May 1 at 6 PM. The ceremony will honor Plano Premier Award recipients, ISBE “Those Who Excel” winners, retirees and service award achievements. This grand celebration will be held in the Auditorium at Plano High School. The community, family, friends and past and present students are invited to attend and congratulate these staff members and enjoy a dessert reception following the ceremony.
PLANO PREMIER AWARDS
Heartfelt congratulations to the following recipients of the 2023 Plano Premier Awards; over 100 staff members were nominated:
- PK-6 Teacher - Eduardo Perez Kindergarten Dual Language Teacher, PH Miller School
- PK-6 Teacher - Carolyn Olson 4th grade Teacher, Emily G Johns School
- PK-6 Early Career Educator - Jimena Moreno 5th Grade Dual Language Teacher, Emily G Johns School
- PK-6 Educational Service Personnel - Sheri Heller Preschool Instructional Aide, PH Miller School
- PK-6 Student Support Personnel - Sarah Nourzad Social Worker, Centennial School
- PK-6 Team - Office Team Brenda Albright & Penny Weiland, Centennial School
- PK-6 Administrator - Luke Baughman Principal, Emily G. Johns School
- 7-12 Teacher - Joe Kampf Technology & Engineering Teacher, Plano High School
- 7-12 Early Career Educator - Madelyn Conroy 7th Grade English/History Teacher, Plano Middle School
- 7-12 Educational Service Personnel - Dwayne Love PBIS Instructional Aide/Coach, Plano High School
- 7-12 Student Support Personnel - Amy Freeman Media Center Director, Plano Middle School
- 7-12 Team - Office Team Denise Barbosa, Anne Hamblin, Paola Hayes, Sarah Martinez & Elia Vazquez, Plano High School
- 7-12 Administrator - Brennan Denny Assistant Principal, Plano High School
- District Educational Service Personnel - Jen Dieter Assistant Transportation Coordinator
- District Student Support Personnel - TJ Wade Speech Pathologist
- District Administrator - Amy Lee Director, Plano Area Special Education Cooperative
- District Team - Technology Team Jose Jimenez, Dustin Kantorski, Caleb Moody, Savanna Mussa & Ben Weinmann
- Community Award - Carl Snider Crossing Guard, City of Plano
2022 ISBE “Those Who Excel” Winners
Excellence – Plano School District Health Services Team (Team) & Robert Hausler (Community Volunteer)
Meritorious Service – Nicole Kulbartz (Teacher), Claire Landsteiner (Early Career Educator), Gail Luna (Educational Service Personnel), Nicole Ciesla (Student Support Personnel) & Dan Solecki (Administrator)
2023 ISBE “Those Who Excel” Winners
Excellence – Brennan Denny (Administrator)
Meritorious Service – Emily Holmstrom (Teacher), Jimena Moreno & Delaney Rogers (Early Career Educators), Anne Hamblin (Educational Service Personnel), Sarah Nourzad (Student Support Personnel) & PHS Transition Team (Team)
Special Recognition – Mark Parris (Community Volunteer)
RETIREMENT RECOGNITION
The following retirees will be recognized during the “Salute to Service” ceremony:
- Cindy Heath – Secretary, P.H. Miller School (1994-2023)
- Deanna Bazan – Elementary Teacher, Plano School District & Kendall County Outdoor Education Center (1990-2023)
- Melinda Wegener – Business/Computer Teacher, Plano High School (1998-2023)
- “Miss Vicki” Kern – Assistant Cook/Bus Driver (2005-2023)
SERVICE RECOGNITION
Last, but certainly not least, the following staff members will celebrate milestone years of service awards and will receive pins and certificates:
10 Years – Sheri Heller, Emily Les, Ryan McNamara, Mike Zeman, Courtney Baker, Amy Hendershott, Colleen Jones, Kyle Kee, Kelly Klingberg, Kelsey Lavery, Theresa Byelick, Susan Chapman & Jessica (Dellorto) Johnson
15 Years – Renee McKirgan, Kara Lay, Mario Serra, Brett Spratley, Yvonne Hill, Dave Hislop, Jeff McGray & Denise Secor
20 Years – Beth Pulfer, Kathy Lane, Jen Scarborough, Doug Holm & Sue Peruski
25 Years – Denise Schiltz, Carolyn Olson & Steve Hild
30 Years – Kathy Benoit