Meet Our December ‘Lakota Gems’

Lakota Local Schools is celebrating its December “Lakota Gem Award” winners - the teachers, administrators and support staff who bring a sparkle to our schools. Selected from a growing pool of over 175 nominations, Lakota’s most precious gems for December include: 

• Katie Schieman (Intervention Specialist, Hopewell ECS) – Beacon of Positivity Award
• Dawn Higdon (Teacher, Endeavor Elementary) – A Cut Above the Rest Award
• Kelly Carstens (Counselor, Ridge Junior) – A Cut Above the Rest Award
• Lisa Kiesewetter (Teacher, Lakota Central High School) – Sapphire of Student Support Award
• Krista Heidenreich (Director of Professional Learning) – Polished Team Player Award
• Paula Hale (Manager of Purchasing) – A Cut Above the Rest Award

Each “gem” was celebrated this week with a surprise recognition during their workday and surrounded by their students, colleagues and those who nominated them.

“I am so excited about this new tradition," said Lakota Superintendent & CEO Dr. Ashley Whitely. "I just love seeing the reactions from our gems and the colleagues, parents and students who have an immense amount of respect for their work.”

Watch this month's Lakota Gem Awards video to see their reactions.

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The Facets of Our December Gems

Katie Schieman: Early Childhood School Honoree (Grades K-2)

With over 40 years of service to the Lakota community, intervention specialist Katie Schieman has made nearly a lifetime commitment to students with special needs. Nominated for the "Beacon of Positivity" award, Katie was applauded for her "unwavering dedication and consistent positive influence in the workplace." 

"Over such an extensive career, she has faced numerous challenges and changes, yet her ability to maintain a positive attitude while advocating for students with special needs speaks volumes about her character," wrote a fellow staff member. 

She was also celebrated for the role of support and encouragement she fills for her colleagues, fostering a positive work environment, uplifting team morale and leading by example with everything that she does.

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Dawn Higdon: Elementary School Honoree (Grades 3-6) 

Endeavor Elementary language arts teacher Dawn Higdon received four nominations for the "Cut Above the Rest" award - two from parents and two from fellow staff. "I was always in awe of her classroom and teaching style," wrote a colleague who taught on Dawn's team for 24 years. "Teaching is just natural for her. She was truly born to be a teacher." 

Dawn's fourth grade classroom was described as welcoming and a place where her students feel safe, nurtured and valued. The long line of former students at her door each morning is a testament, they shared, to the meaningful and lasting relationships she builds with her students. 

She was applauded for the expertise she brings to her role, too, not only for her own students but also the colleagues she encourages to continue growing in their own learning. Parents noted the high engagement and pure fun that she infuses into her lessons to keep students motivated and performing to their highest level. "She finds that balance in really being able to prepare kids for the next level of education while still providing the nurturing they need as they begin to enter their adolescent years," wrote one parent. 

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Kelly Carstens: Junior School Honoree (Grades 7-8)

Ridge Junior School Counselor Kelly Carstens was nominated for a "Cut Above the Rest" award by two of her fellow counseling colleagues. But the love and admiration among her own students and staff was on full display when surprised at an all-school assembly where she received her gem award. 

The gymnasium erupted with applause that morning, where Kelly was greeted by a tunnel of students holding signs of congratulations. Several other Lakota counselors joined in the celebration, one of which had shared this about Kelly. "It was hard to pick just ONE category because she truly is a diamond for Lakota. She is loved by so many and has touched countless students with her kindness. 

Her nominations detailed the after hours support she provides to colleagues and parents, the continuous research she does to improve her approach, as well as a new ambassador program she introduced at Ridge, which empowers students to lead and serve their school community. 

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Lisa Kiesewetter: High School Honoree (Grades 9-12)

Lakota Central High School science teacher Lisa Kiesewetter was nominated by four different people, including a student, parent and two colleagues. Better known as "Mrs. K" to her Central family, Lisa was nominated for her ability to build strong relationships with students and her commitment to meeting their academic, social and emotional needs - all the facets of a "Sapphire of Student Support" gem award.l 

Lisa, who also sponsors the school's Science Club, is known for the fun and interactive labs she folds into her classes. She was also applauded for the personalized approach she takes with her students. 

"Lisa Kiesewetter constantly does everything she can to make sure students succeed and are engaged in learning," wrote one student. "She explains things differently to some people who may have a different learning style." 

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Krista Heidenreich: Lakota Central Office Honoree

The first recipient of Lakota's "Polished Team Player" gem, Krista Heidenreich was commended for the teamwork and collaboration she brings to her role as Lakota' director of professional learning. Her nomination letter recognized her for taking on "the beast that is professional development for our district." 

"This is no easy task. It requires an INCREDIBLE amount of organization and collaboration. Krista doesn't dictate what our priorities and training points are. Rather, she works constantly with all stakeholders to identify needs and works to coordinate multiple needs into one package so that our teachers will feel that their training and professional development is organized, cohesive, relevant and engaging."

She was applauded for the "infectious energy" she brings to the work of planning the adult learning experience and for her practice of continuously collecting feedback to improve it from one professional development day to the next. 

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Paula Hale: Lakota Service Center Honoree

In a role that serves every single Lakota school in so many different capacities, manager of purchasing Paula Hale received the "Cut Above the Rest" gem.

"She is always willing to help anyone and goes above and beyond every day at Lakota.  She is a proud Lakota employee and never says 'that's not my job'," a colleague wrote. "You can always count on her to listen and get to the bottom of any problem."

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About the Lakota Gem Award

"Every single position here at Lakota is important and part of our district's success story," said Lakota Superintendent Dr. Ashley Whitely. "Through the 'Lakota Gem Award,' it is my goal to celebrate staff whose range of responsibilities and areas of expertise are varied, but whose qualities are strikingly similar. Things like teamwork, innovation, positivity, growth and a student-centered mentality drive excellence and span all roles in public education."

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.
• A Cut Above the Rest - Shines in their area of expertise and goes above and beyond in their daily work.

Every month, Lakota's "gems" are celebrated for ONE of these award categories, receiving a unique gem pin that corresponds with the facet 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, 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.

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 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. 

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.