Shining a Light on Our March Gem Award Winners

Each month, Lakota Local Schools proudly continues a meaningful tradition: honoring our “Lakota Gem Award” recipients — the exceptional teachers, administrators and support staff whose dedication helps our district shine. With more than 270 nominations submitted since the beginning of the school year, March’s honorees reflect the very best of who we are at Lakota. This month, we celebrate:

• Sherry Mattingly (Teacher, Wyandot) - Sapphire of Student Support
• Leslie King (ESL Teacher, Cherokee) - Sapphire of Student Support & Clear Cut Expert 
• Alysson Caudill (Media & Design Teacher, Plains) - Clear Cut Expert 
• Jessica Garrett (ASL Teacher, Lakota East) - Polished Team Player 
• Cathy Tonyan (Secretary, Special Services) - Polished Team Player

Each recipient was surprised during the school day with cheers, applause and heartfelt congratulations from the students, colleagues and nominators who admire them most. Their passion, service and commitment light up our schools — and we look forward to sharing more about their remarkable contributions below.

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The Facets of Our March Gems

Sherry Mattingly: Early Childhood School Honoree (Grades PreK-2)

Sherry Mattingly, an exceptional teacher at Wyandot ECS, is being honored with the Sapphire of Student Support Gem Award — a recognition that reflects the warmth, care and commitment she brings to her classroom every single day. Her colleagues and families describe a nurturing environment where students feel genuinely safe, supported and encouraged, especially those who need an extra boost of confidence. Sherry is known for meeting students exactly where they are, thoughtfully adjusting seating, routines and learning approaches so every child can experience success. Her classroom is a place where students not only grow academically, but also feel seen and valued.

Her impact reaches beyond her classroom through the meaningful connections she builds with families. Sherry communicates with consistency, kindness and purpose — celebrating small victories, sharing positive notes and ensuring caregivers always feel informed and included. One parent shared that Sherry encourages students daily with patience and joy, helping them believe in themselves and making school a place they truly love to be. Her ability to uplift and empower children, particularly those who may feel overlooked, makes a profound difference. Lakota is incredibly fortunate to have her, and this Sapphire of Student Support Gem Award is a well‑deserved tribute to her extraordinary dedication.

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Leslie King: Elementary School Nominee (Grades 3-6)

Leslie King, beloved ESL teacher at Cherokee Elementary, is being honored this month with the Sapphire of Student Support Gem Award — a recognition that perfectly reflects her extraordinary impact. Throughout her career, Leslie has embodied what it means to support the whole child, leading with compassion, patience and an unshakable belief in every student’s potential. She has created a welcoming, empowering environment where multilingual learners feel safe to take risks, celebrate growth and embrace their identities with pride. Families trust her deeply, thanks to the countless ways she builds bridges between home and school — through calls, texts, translators, home visits and even securing laptops for families who otherwise would go without.

Her influence stretches far beyond her own classroom. Leslie is the colleague everyone turns to — offering help differentiating lessons, supporting multilingual families, assisting with conferences and sharing her expertise through professional learning. She leads with heart, championing cultural celebrations, Homework Club, technology nights and hallway displays that make Cherokee feel like home for new families. Colleagues describe her as “the epitome of what it means to be a teacher,” and her mentorship has shaped educators for more than a decade — including her own daughter, who chose the same path because of Leslie’s example. As she prepares to retire, her school community says there is no better moment to honor her legacy — one defined by unwavering advocacy, compassion and a commitment to uplifting every student and family she serves.

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Alysson Caudill: Junior High School Honoree (Grades 7-8) 

Alysson Caudill, Media Design teacher at Plains Junior, is being celebrated this month as a Clear Cut Expert — and her nominations made it easy to see why. Alysson brings an inspiring blend of energy, empathy and professionalism to her work each day, showing unwavering commitment to students, families and fellow staff. She is a true media design expert whose creativity elevates the entire program. As one nominator enthusiastically shared, “She blew our school’s Media Design program out of the water!” Through engaging, real‑world projects, she empowers students to explore digital tools that may be brand‑new to them, helping them build confidence as creators, problem solvers and communicators.

Alysson’s impact extends well beyond her own classroom. Colleagues say she openly shares resources, mentors fellow teachers during professional development days and provides practical strategies that strengthen instruction across the building. Her positive, high‑expectation classroom environment pushes students to do their best while feeling supported every step of the way. With her enthusiasm, expertise and heart for teaching, she has made a remarkable difference at Plains. Thank you, Alysson, for the positivity you bring and congratulations on being named a Lakota Gem Award winner!

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Jessica Garrett: High School Nominee (Grades 9-12)

Jessica Garrett, ASL teacher at Lakota East High School, is being honored this month as a Polished Team Player — a title that perfectly reflects the warmth, inclusivity and collaboration she brings to her school community. Colleagues consistently describe Jessica as someone who makes Lakota East feel like home, especially for new staff. From day one, she welcomes newcomers by introducing them to colleagues, inviting them to lunch and making sure no one ever feels out of place. Her intentional efforts to build connections across departments — through check‑ins, shared conversations and genuine care — have created a strong sense of belonging that reaches far beyond her classroom.

Jessica’s colleagues shared countless examples of her thoughtful gestures and team‑first mindset. Whether she’s crafting matching pumpkin shirts, organizing small celebrations or picking up lunch just to brighten someone’s day, she makes people feel seen and appreciated. She mentors new teachers, openly shares resources, and even helps pilot district tools like ParentSquare and the new conference scheduling system to support staff school‑wide. Her commitment to collaboration extends to her work with other departments, including special education, and to her partnership with Lakota West to expand opportunities for students to use ASL throughout the community. As one colleague beautifully put it, “You embrace the power of community and help make our workplace a better, more inclusive place for all.”

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Cathy Tonyan: Central Office Honoree

Cathy Tonyan, Special Services Secretary at the Central Office, is being recognized as a Polished Team Player for the warmth, positivity and steadiness she brings to her workplace every single day. Colleagues shared that Cathy creates an atmosphere where everyone feels welcome, supported and genuinely valued the moment they walk through the door. She consistently goes above and beyond for those around her — offering help, guidance and encouragement in any form that’s needed. Her calm presence and uplifting spirit set the tone for the entire office, modeling what it looks like to lead with kindness and grace.

Her impact is felt especially by new staff members, who say Cathy makes transitions seamless through her patience, friendliness and unwavering support. In fact, her nomination came from someone brand new to Lakota who credits Cathy with helping them get off to such a smooth and positive start. Colleagues describe her as an absolute joy to work with — someone whose reliability, compassion and dedication make the entire department stronger. Cathy, your team is truly grateful for all you do, and this Polished Team Player Gem Award is a well‑deserved tribute to the difference you make every day.

 

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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 March 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 March, with the April recipients announced mid-month.