Celebrating Lakota's December Gem Award Winners

• Whitney Sagraves (Teacher, Hopewell ECS): Clear Cut Expert Award
• Tara Schulte (Instructional Aide / Innovation Hub Specialist, Union Elementary): Polished Team Player Award
• Rachelle Foster (Teacher, Hopewell Junior): Beacon of Positivity Award
• Samantha Fish (Teacher, Lakota West Freshman & Lakota Central): Sapphire of Student Support Award
• Ron Hawk (Bus Driver, Service Center / Woodland Elementary): Sapphire of Student Support Award
• Betsy Fuller (Executive Director School & Community Relations): Clear Cut Expert & Polished Team Player Awards

Each "gem" was surprised during their workday with heartfelt recognition, surrounded by students, colleagues, and nominators. Their passion continues to make Lakota sparkle every day!

The Facets of Our December Gems

Whitney Sagraves: Early Childhood School Honoree (Grades K-2)

Teacher Whitney Sagraves was nominated for the "Clear Cut Expert Award" by a colleague on behalf of the entire kindergarten team that she helps lead at Hopewell Early Childhood School. 

Her team member wrote that she "knows her stuff" and works tirelessly to leading their team, plan writing for the district and always goes above and beyond. "She can walk any teacher through all curriculum and helps them understand how it fits together," she wrote, explaining her natural ability to make families feel welcomed, encourage her team to cheer for one another and sense when students need extra support. 

Whitney was described as a "ray of sunshine" for her students and colleagues, alike. "Her students get knowledge at school but also her heart during personal times when their worlds feel like they are collapsing," read her nomination. 

Tara Schulte: Elementary School Honoree (Grades 3-6) 

Union Elementary instructional aide Tara Schulte was applauded by a colleague whose nomination for the "Polished Team Player" award acknowledged that the school's Innovation Hub specialist is "everywhere all the time." 

In other words, Tara is the first to volunteer and lends a hand wherever it's needed, whether in a classroom, the clinic or with a student who needs extra support. As such, it was fitting that she was surrounded by an entourage of Union staff and students when surprised with her award. 

"She has great relationships with all students and staff and everyone gravitates towards her," wrote a colleague who went on to say that she "radiates positivity" all the time. Her principal shared that she is a constant source of support to him and one of the first he calls on when he needs help. 

Rachelle Foster: Junior School Honoree (Grades 7-8)

The colleagues who nominated Hopewell Junior Art teacher Rachelle Foster for the "Beacon of Positivity" award said that she that teaching goes beyond "teaching" and that she is perfect example of that. She was applauded for prioritizing the well-being of her students and creating a safe space for every one of them. 

"Rachelle is the reason that our students who smile less often smile more," read one of her nominations, noting the way she uplifts and celebrates her students' creativity. "She is a constant in the lives of students who feel all too familiar with change and disruption."

She was celebrated for extending the same affection and care to her colleagues, never letting a day go by without making someone at Hopewell smile. "She makes a big difference in this building." 

Samantha Fish: High School Honoree (Grades 9-12)

History teacher Samantha Fish, who is only in her second year supporting students at both Lakota West Freshman and Lakota Central High School, has clearly made a big impact in a short time. Two former students nominated her as a "Sapphire of Student Support." 

Her students wrote about her unique ability to make them feel supported and comfortable with their work. They especially appreciate how she turns history into something fun and engaging—from creative activities to even dressing up for some of her lessons. "Even notes in her class were enjoyable because she made them fun and entertaining for something so simple as notes," wrote one student. 

Samantha's nominations described her as "friendly, funny, kindhearted, and gentle," sharing that she puts mental health before grades and understands what students need most. One student thanked her for comforting her after the loss of a friend, while another said, "She completely, changed how I feel about history." 

Ron Hawk: Service Center Honoree

The Service Center Award goes to bus driver Ron Hawk for being a "Sapphire of Student Support." 

As he ushered his students off his special education bus at Woodland Elementary the morning of his surprise recognition, he remained focused on his riders and almost oblivious to the crowd of staff waiting to applaud him outside. "Mr. Ron is very aware of his students' needs," wrote a Woodland staff member who witnesses his work daily. "He does a great job communicating with staff to find ways to best support his students on the bus." 

His positive attitude is contagious and his efforts to build meaningful relationships with his students are sincere. When he found out that a passenger especially enjoys chess, he took it upon himself to find a time outside of his regular routes to come to school and play a game with him. 

Betsy Fuller: Central Office Honoree

In her stack of nominations from colleagues, Betsy Fuller was called a "textbook school communications professional" for the passion, expertise and dedication she brings to her job. Lakota's executive director of school and community relations was awarded both the "Clear Cut Expert" and "Polished Team Player" awards. 

"What really sets her apart is her ability to rise to the occasion and give it her all when faced with an enormous challenge. Betsy’s 'all' is truly superhuman," read one nomination, referencing the expertise, positivity and grace with which she most recently led the District's efforts to share facts and information related to the November ballot issue. 

"She is a solid thought partner who welcomes input and elevates our collective thinking - always creative, steady and focused on what best serves our community," read another nomination. Betsy was applauded for her efforts to grow professionally by earning her Accreditation in Public Relations (APR) and also mentor other communications professionals across Ohio. 

About the Lakota Gem Award

"This year's theme, 'WE are Building OUR Future...One Piece at a Time,' reinforces the idea behind Lakota's Gem Awards," said Lakota Superintendent Dr. Ashley Whitely. "Every single role in this District is an important piece to the bigger puzzle and our overall success story." 

"The response we received during our first year of Gem Awards was impressive to say the least," Whitely continued. "Our committee read over 400 nominations and it was no small feat to select our winners each and every month. The range of responsibilities and expertise was wide ranging among our winners, but their qualities were strikingly similar. They exhibited things like teamwork, innovation, positivity, professional growth and a student-centered mentality. I'm excited to celebrate even more staff members whose brilliance makes a difference in our students' lives every single day." 

To qualify, nominees should reflect any one of these gem-like facets: 

• Sapphire of Student Support - Values strong relationships and the importance of meeting students' individual academic, social and emotional needs.
   
• Beacon of Positivity - Radiates positive energy and promotes a welcoming culture that celebrates and respects differences. 
   
• Brilliant Innovator - Uses creativity to create dynamic experiences for students and staff, solve problems and allocate available resources wisely.
   
• Polished Team Player - Embraces the power of community and collaboration to lift one another up and work together for the best possible results.
   
• Gem of Growth - A lifelong learner who values feedback and has a growth mindset for continuous professional improvement.
   
• Clear Cut Expert - A skilled master of their trade who absolutely shines in their area of expertise, leads by example and adds exceptional value to our school community.

Lakota's monthly "gems" will be celebrated for one more of these award categories, receiving one or more uniquely colored gems that correspond with the facets for which they were selected. Not every category will be awarded each month. Likewise, the same category may be awarded to multiple staff any given month.

Over time, and even during the same month, staff may be awarded multiple gems to celebrate the different qualities they exhibit through their work at Lakota. An individual will not be eligible, however, to receive the same gem twice, even spanning multiple school years.

The District aims to recognize a new group of "Lakota Gem Award" recipients on a monthly basis who represent each grade band (K-2, 3-6, 7-8 and 9-12), as well as Central Office and the Service Center. These individuals are determined by a representative selection committee, surprised during the workday and spotlighted through district communication channels. 

Staff members can be nominated at any time through the end of April using the form linked below. New nominations will be pulled on the first day of each month in consideration for the previous month's awards. All nominations will carry over from month to month and will be considered for the rest of the current school year without needing to re-submit. At the start of each new school year, the nominee pool will be reset.

Lakota's annual "Diamond Educator of the Year Award," presented in partnership with the Northern Cincinnati Foundation and Phelan Insurance, is given to four individuals who meet the criteria of all six Gem Award categories. One individual is recognized for each of these groups: K-6 Teachers, 7-12 Teachers, Support Staff & Administrators. Nominees and winners for Lakota's monthly Gem Awards will NOT be automatically considered for this top award, but are eligible and can be nominated using the separate application shared during the spring each school year.

Nominate a staff member for a Lakota Gem Award. Nominees will be pulled on the last day of December, with the January recipients announced mid-month.