Celebrating Lakota's January Gem Award Winners

A monthly tradition at Lakota Local Schools honors “Lakota Gem Award” winners — the teachers, administrators, and support staff who make our schools shine. With over 160 nominations submitted since the school year began, January’s honorees reflect the values Lakota holds high in its staff. We celebrate this month's most precious gems: 

• MaryEllen D’Abbene (Office Manager, Liberty ECS) - Clear Cut Expert & Beacon of Positivity
• Stephanie Paré (4th Grade Teacher, Woodland) - Clear Cut Expert
• Amy Panfalone (Art Teacher, Ridge Junior) - Clear Cut Expert
• Nicole Brainard (Science Teacher, East Freshman) - Polished Team Player & Beacon of Positivity
• Donna Haury (Work Study Coordinator) - Brilliant Innovator

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!

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The Facets of Our January Gems

Mary Ellen D’Abbenne: Early Childhood School Honoree (Grades K-2)

Mary Ellen D’Abbenne shines in her role as office manager at Liberty ECS. “Mary Ellen is the true Beacon of Positivity for the entire building,” said one nominator. “She is always friendly, warm and welcoming to every single adult and child that she greets.” The parent went on to say that Mary Ellen is supportive and comforting and goes out of her way to help each and every student, even though it may not be in her defined role. “It is people like Mary Ellen that make our district more than a place, but a home where everyone feels welcome and safe.”

A second nomination praised her expertise: “She keeps our school up and running and she does so with a welcoming smile to all. Any questions, she has the answer or will find out for you.” With several staff changes this year, Mary Ellen has stepped up to make sure things continue to operate smoothly. “Not only is she an expert in her role, but she still takes the time to get to know the students as they enter the building. We are so grateful to have Mary Ellen and her hardworking, dedicated self.”

 

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Stephanie Paré: Elementary School Nominee (Grades 3-6)

Stephanie’s nominator has a unique perspective – she was a student of Stephanie’s about 30 years ago, her son was Stephanie’s student and, for the last 10 years, the nominator has worked alongside Stephanie.

The nominator has fond memories of being in Stephanie’s class and adds “when my son was in fourth grade, Stephanie convinced him that could do anything he put his mind to. Despite having struggles in math, she patiently worked with him and built him up daily. I watched as a parent as she poured her math knowledge into my own student and made him feel like a real mathematician.”

As a colleague, she watches Stephanie continue to hold high standards for her students, and always does what she knows is best for each student. She notes that to this day if you listen, you will even hear all of Stephanie’s math songs that help students cement their knowledge. “Stephanie Paré makes sure that her students leave her room as mathematicians that believe they can.”

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Amy Panfalone: Junior High School Honoree (Grades 7-8) 

Amy Panfalone goes above and beyond to provide artistic opportunities for her students - both in the classroom and throughout the community.  

Her colleague notes how Amy and her students have been chosen every year to be part of the Cincinnati Zoo’s Rain Barrel Fundraiser in which designs are painted on rain barrels to auction off to help raise money for the zoo. Amy has also been instrumental in organizing the Can Creation food drive at Ridge Junior for Reach Out Lakota.

Beyond her community involvement, Amy is always ready to support her colleagues. “She creates videos for school programs, makes t-shirt designs for clubs and draws artwork for the office,” her nominator shared. “Amy does so much for us here at Ridge Junior, Lakota schools and the community. She is an asset to all that know her.”

 

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Nicole Brainard: High School Nominee (Grades 9-12)

Nikki Brainard earned nominations from several colleagues for the Beacon of Positivity and Polished Team Player awards. They describe her as someone who radiates positive energy and creates a welcoming environment for students and staff alike. Her classroom is a space where curiosity thrives and every student feels valued.

Nikki also brings exceptional scientific knowledge and instructional expertise to the East Freshman Campus—and she shares it generously. Colleagues noted her willingness to offer ideas, resources, and encouragement, as well as her ability to unite people even during challenging times. “Nikki’s positivity has a direct and meaningful impact on students. Students benefit not only from her deep content knowledge, but also from her encouragement, patience, and belief in their potential. Nikki helps students see challenges as opportunities and models resilience and optimism every day.”

One nominator summed it up perfectly: “Nikki is an invaluable member of the EFC community, and her impact makes Lakota a stronger, more inclusive place for all.”

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Donna Haury: Central Office Honoree

Work Study Coordinator Donna Haury received the Brilliant Innovator award for her transformative work with students and families. A colleague shared, “Lakota is incredibly lucky to have such a dynamic staff member who literally is a lifeline to students, family and staff to set students up for the rest of their lives, life after Lakota.”

Donna works tirelessly with students facing some of the toughest challenges, ensuring they have autonomy and a fulfilling life beyond high school. She also plays a critical role in educating families and preparing them for long-term success—whether through guardianship or connecting them with ODD or OOD resources. 

Her nominator added, “You can visibly see relief wash over parents in meetings as she tells them, ‘I have important information to help you, let’s meet.’ She is a lifeline.”

 

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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 (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 January, with the February recipients announced mid-month.