Meet Our March Lakota Gems

Lakota Local Schools is proud to present its March "Lakota Gem Award" winners - the teachers, administrators and support staff who bring a sparkle to our schools. Selected from a growing pool of over 350 nominations, Lakota’s most precious gems for March include: 

• Bailey Plummer (Intervention Specialist, Wyandot ECS) – Sapphire of Student Support & A Cut Above the Rest Awards
• Tammy Roman (Cafeteria Manager, Independence Elementary) – A Cut Above the Rest Award
• Jenny Iames (Instructional Aide, Ridge Junior) – A Cut Above the Rest Award
• Stacey Lane (Teacher, Lakota East High School) – A Cut Above the Rest Award
• Terri Doerr (Parent Mentor, Lakota Special Services) – Polished Team Player & A Cut Above the Rest Awards

Each “gem” was celebrated over the last week with a surprise recognition during their workday and surrounded by their students, colleagues and those who nominated them. Be on the lookout for this month's Lakota Gem Award video to see their reactions. 

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The Facets of Our March Gems

Bailey Plummer: Early Childhood School Honoree (Grades K-2)

Nominated for not just one, but two Gem Awards - "A Cut Above the Rest" and "Sapphire of Student Support" - Wyandot ECS intervention specialist Bailey Plummer was described as exemplifying what individuals in this unique role should strive to be.

Bailey forms genuine connections with some of the hardest-to-reach students under her care. She creatively supports students' growth and individualizes special education services, ensuring incredible progress in academics, social-emotional skills and more. Her calm demeanor in crises and dedication to the Wyandot community make her truly exceptional.

"If I had a child, she is the kind of educator that I would completely trust to support my child," wrote one colleague. Another even shared that Bailey inspired her decision to go back to school and become an intervention specialist. 

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Tammy Roman: Elementary School Honoree (Grades 3-6) 

Independence Elementary School's cafeteria manager, Tammy Roman, was commended for driving a culture of "warmth and joy," thus earning the "A Cut Above the Rest" gem award.

Tammy was applauded for consistently going above and beyond for both staff and students in her cafe. She ensures smooth kitchen operations, provides a welcoming environment and treats kids with care.

"Nothing is above her pay grade and she makes sure we know she's our teammate," wrote a member of her team. Tammy's meticulous attention to detail and warm interactions make the Independence kitchen a safe and fun place for everyone, this teammate said.

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Jenny Iames: Junior School Honoree (Grades 7-8)

Instructional aide Jenny Iames, nominated for the "A Cut Above the Rest" gem, has dedicated over 20 years to Ridge Junior School, advocating for her students and ensuring they feel loved and supported.

She helps them understand material through guided notes, reteaching and collaboration with other educators. "She is their biggest advocate, and goes above and beyond to make sure that they feel and know they are loved, cared for and supported."

Her contributions also include donating supplies and organizing extracurricular activities, making her a cherished teacher by current and former students alike.

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Stacey Lane: High School Honoree (Grades 9-12)

Lakota East High School science teacher Stacey Lane earned the "A Cut Above the Rest" gem award for embodying "#theEASTway." She was celebrated for her efforts to transition from a more traditional to a truly personalized learning model, creating a better environment for her students.

One of her former students shared that she offers numerous opportunities for mastery and fosters student growth. "She helped me personalize my own path for learning and was right there when I needed help," the student wrote. "Being a kid who likes to learn, it was nice last year being able to learn at my speed and the way I wanted to learn it."

Stacey was described as building strong connections and always providing support and "motherly advice." 

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Terri Doerr: Central Office Honoree

A resource for Lakota's Special Service team, parent mentor Terri Doerr was the recipient of both the "A Cut Above the Rest" and "Polished Team Player" gem awards. 

Terri was described as exemplifying teamwork, striving for the best results for staff, students and families. As a parent mentor, she ensures parents feel heard and supported, a fellow staff member wrote, while fostering trust among staff. "She deals with differences through kindness, empathy and professionalism."

Terri is known to empower families of special needs students with resources and guidance, building bridges through collaboration. She was recognized for her dedication to the best interests of children and her ability to handle challenging situations with grace.

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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 March, with the April recipients announced mid-month.