Celebrating Lakota's February Gem Award Winners

Each month, Lakota Local Schools continues a special tradition: celebrating our “Lakota Gem Award” winners — the outstanding teachers, administrators, and support staff who help our district shine a little brighter each day. With more than 230 nominations submitted since the start of the school year, February’s honorees truly represent the values and excellence we hold at the heart of Lakota. This month, we proudly recognize:

• Diane Keene (Preschool Director, VanGorden & Liberty ECS) - Polished Team Player
• McKenna Flores (Teacher, Cherokee Elementary) - Sapphire of Student Support
• Karen Berndt (Title 1 Tutor, Hopewell Junior) - Sapphire of Student Support
• Andrew Phelan (Intervention Specialist, Lakota West Freshman) - Clear Cut Expert
• Angela Adkins (Bus Driver, Service Center) - Beacon of Positivity
• Adam Pennington (Head Custodian, Central Office) - Clear Cut Expert & Polished Team Player

Each “gem” was surprised during their workday with heartfelt recognition and cheers from the students, colleagues, and nominators who admire them most. Their dedication, passion, and daily commitment make Lakota sparkle—and we’re excited to share more of their inspiring stories below.

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The Facets of Our February Gems

Diane Keene: Early Childhood School Honoree (Grades PreK-2)

Diane Keene is being honored with the Polished Team Player Gem Award, a recognition that reflects her extraordinary leadership and passion as preschool director. Her nominator shared, “I have never met someone who has such a passion for her work… She ALWAYS puts ‘the greater good’ at the forefront of everything she does.” Diane embodies that spirit daily, cultivating a warm, collaborative environment where staff feel supported, valued, and inspired to do their best work for Lakota’s youngest learners.

Known as a beacon of positivity, Diane approaches every challenge with humor, resilience, and a steadfast belief in problem‑solving together. She listens deeply, encourages open communication, and empowers her team to work smarter, not harder. Her nominator captured it best, calling her “a gifted leader with a ‘we’re all in this together’ mentality.” Diane’s relentless advocacy for early intervention and her commitment to the whole child make her not only deserving of this award, but truly exceptional in her impact on students, families, and staff alike.

 

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McKenna Flores: Elementary School Nominee (Grades 3-6)

McKenna Flores, an ELA teacher at Cherokee Elementary, is being honored with the Sapphire of Student Support Gem Award—and her students’ heartfelt words make it clear why. One nominator shared, “Ms. Flores has the incredible ability to not only engage with students, but also to relate to them.” Under her guidance, this student not only strengthened their love for reading but also achieved exceptional academic growth, reaching the 99th percentile on the NWEA reading MAP test. They described how Mckenna focuses on “progress, not perfection,” tailoring instruction so every learner can thrive. Her impact is so profound that former students return to Cherokee just to greet her with excitement and gratitude—proof of the lasting connections she builds.

Another student captured her spirit just as beautifully, saying, “Ms. Flores is so good at teaching but she also cares for the needs of her students… Every day I miss her and her class.” Warm, welcoming, and deeply invested in her students’ success, Mckenna creates a classroom where learners feel valued, supported, and inspired. Her ability to elevate academic performance while nurturing confidence and belonging sets her apart. For these reasons and many more, McKenna Flores exemplifies the heart of student support.

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Karen Berndt: Junior High School Honoree (Grades 7-8) 

Karen Berndt, a Title I tutor at Hopewell Junior School, is being recognized with the Sapphire of Student Support Gem Award—and her daily impact makes her truly deserving of the honor. Her nominator describes how Karen takes on a challenging role “with a smile on her face,” meeting individually with students during their academic support bell to help them organize, plan, and regain control of their learning. Her work has already transformed outcomes: students who were failing simply because they were overwhelmed or missing assignments are now earning passing grades thanks to her consistent support and attention to detail. Teachers see the difference too, noting how Karen keeps them informed through regular communication and collaborates closely to ensure each student gets exactly what they need.

But Karen’s support goes far beyond organization—she is a true advocate for her students. She notices when a student has strong ideas but struggles to write them down, stepping in to type as they dictate. She recognizes when another has questions but doesn’t know how to ask, and she asks on their behalf. Her patience, empathy, and ability to meet students where they are create a safe, productive space where they feel understood and empowered. As her nominator put it, Karen helps students “push just a little further for results that make them proud.”

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Andrew Phelan: High School Nominee (Grades 9-12)

Andrew Phelan, Intervention Specialist and Special Education Department Chair at Lakota West Freshman, is being honored with the Clear Cut Expert Gem Award, a distinction that perfectly reflects his mastery, leadership, and unwavering commitment to students. His nominators describe him as a “skilled master of his profession,” someone who consistently demonstrates compassion, grace, and deep understanding while supporting students of all abilities. Andrew guides learners—especially those who need it most—with patience, care, and a belief in their potential. His positive influence extends beyond the classroom, where he serves as a trusted role model whose integrity and dedication inspire both students and colleagues alike.

As department chair, Andrew leads with a steady, empowering presence that uplifts his entire team. His collaboration, professionalism, and creativity shine even in the most challenging situations. Colleagues praise his ability to foster an environment where both intervention specialists and instructional aides feel supported, valued, and able to thrive. His leadership is not only unwavering but transformative, strengthening the special education program and enriching the entire school community. Andrew Phelan is truly an asset to Lakota West Freshman—an exemplary educator whose commitment to excellence makes him deeply deserving of the Clear Cut Expert Gem Award.

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Angela Adkins: Service Center Honoree

Angela Adkins is a caring and dedicated school bus driver whose compassion touches every life she encounters—making her an extraordinary recipient of the Beacon of Positivity Gem Award. She transports special needs children to and from school with patience, attentiveness, and a genuine heart for service. Her nominator shared, “She is a dedicated bus driver but even more so, she is an angel, reaching out to those in need and being a ray of light!” Angela’s kindness extends far beyond her daily route as she continually looks for ways to lift up those around her and support families who need it most.

Her generosity has created a powerful ripple effect throughout the community. Last year, Angela organized a coat drive at the service center, ensuring families had warmth during the winter months. This year, she launched a toy drive that is already brightening the lives of many children in need. Angela works tirelessly to give back, embodying the very best of compassion, positivity, and dedication. She is not only exceptional at her job—she is a beacon of hope and joy, and her impact shines warmly across the entire Lakota community.

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Adam Pennington: Central Office Honoree

Adam Pennington, custodian at Lakota’s Central Office, is being honored this month with both the Polished Team Player and Clear Cut Expert Gem Awards—a dual recognition that perfectly reflects his exceptional dedication and character. Those who have known Adam since his early days as an evening custodian at Freedom Elementary describe him as someone who consistently goes above and beyond, tackling any task—ordinary or unexpected—with enthusiasm and reliability. Even then, he brought joy to students through small moments of fun, like the playful pranks he left around the building. Today, at Central Office, he continues to embody the same unwavering work ethic and positivity. Colleagues frequently note that he never seems to take a moment off; he’s always moving, always helping, and always brightening the building with his upbeat attitude.

Adam’s colleagues describe him as one of the hardest‑working and kindest individuals they’ve ever met, and his impact is immediately felt throughout the Central Office. He takes immense pride in keeping the building clean, welcoming, and safe—especially during challenging weather. Recently, staff watched him brave snow and ice, spreading extra salt to ensure everyone could arrive safely, all while maintaining his trademark smile. His dedication is so significant that when he’s away, his absence is instantly noticeable. Adam is truly a “Beacon of Positivity” and “a cut above the rest,” and his consistent professionalism, kindness, and care make him profoundly deserving of both the Polished Team Player and Clear Cut Expert Gem Awards. Lakota is better because of him, and his colleagues are deeply grateful for all he brings to their workplace.

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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 or 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 (PreK-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 February, with the March recipients announced mid-month.