WSPTA Awards 2020-2021
We asked our community to nominate a teacher, staff member, or volunteer who has gone above and beyond in their service to the school this year. Our community delivered! So many amazing people were nominated, and we’re pleased to present them with the following awards:
The Golden Acorn Award: Roshni Hourselt
The Golden Acorn Award is presented to a school or community volunteer in recognition of her or his dedication and service to children and youth. This year, PTA Co-Treasurer and tireless volunteer Roshni Hourselt made hundreds of face masks for students and staff at Seattle Public Schools.
“I am nominating Roshni because she spends so many hours (days) volunteering at Wedgwood. I once told her she should be paid for all she does! Pre COVID, Roshni was at Wedgwood longer than some faculty members. She devotes hours of her time to make W’wood the best place to be. I am not sure what we’d do without her.”
“Roshni has been an indispensable helper and volunteer for Wedgwood this year, stepping up to make hundreds of masks for school staff and coordinating between our school and the community. She’s been generous with her time both as room parent and PTSA member. She always goes above and beyond for the good of Wedgwood Elementary. She deserves to be recognized for all of her hard work.”
Outstanding Educators: Ms. Jurgensmeier & Ms. Leland
The Outstanding Educator Award is presented to an individual who has made significant contributions in their community to enhance the educational outcomes of all children or youth. This year, two extraordinary teachers—1st grade teacher Kaitlyn Jurgensmeier and Librarian Kristi Leland—were nominated for their hard work and dedication.
“Ms. Jurgensmeier is an incredible first grade teacher. Through this past very unusual year navigating through remote and in person learning, she has been a positive presence through it all. She has made school a fun, exciting and an enjoyable experience for all the children in her class. My daughter has loved being in Ms. Jurgensmeier’s class. Ms Jurgensmeier deserves this award because she has gone above and beyond this year, she has met with my daughter and her other students during the remote part of the school year to build a connection with each of them. She also has brought books and other school supplies to our house when we were unable to go to the school building. Most importantly she has always brought a smile to our daughters face and has the ability to make each child in her class feel special. We appreciate all that she has done.”
“Kaitlyn has consistently presented a level of enthusiasm for her students that goes above and beyond. She has a magical ability to make every child feel special. She makes time for every student and still manages to get the teaching done. I can’t imagine having a better teacher during this crazy pandemic year. My only regret is that my child did not get to see her teach in person for more than a few months. Kaitlyn is always smiling, always ready to answer questions, always prepared, and always going above and beyond the call of duty. ”
“Kristi has filled every role you can imagine this year (including Librarian of the decade!!). She has helped our school run, function, and succeed in ways that no one can truly understand. Her smile, positive attitude and amazing humor shine a light throughout the school - especially on the most challenging days. In addition, her commitment to engaging students in literacy and building a diverse, inclusive library where every student is represented and celebrated is a phenomenal gift. Thanks for being a rock star, Kristi!”
“Ms. Leland has done a fantastic job adapting the library program as well as serving as IT support...It meant the world to our family when she started the library check-out program this year because it was a small taste of what was otherwise denied this year. By providing the students with forms to fill out, mystery bags for easy check-out, and home delivery, she really went above and beyond to promote literacy and access to books for all kids. The pop-up during recess was another genius idea to encourage reading and make the library exciting. As a parent, I am grateful for her dedication and all of the teachers and staff who helped make it happen. ”
Outstanding Advocates for Students: Jenn Rorabaugh & Nurse Sarah
The Outstanding Student Advocate Award recognizes PTA members who have made significant contributions through leadership and service in their school and community. During the pandemic, parent volunteer and PTA board member Jenn Rorabaugh and our school Nurse Sarah created and ran a grocery delivery program to help Wedgwood families in need.
“Jenn has worked closely with Nurse Sarah for over a year to coordinate and facilitate consistent weekly grocery delivery for 10+ Wedgwood families in need for the duration of the pandemic...Having volunteered one week as a grocery shopper, I quickly realized what a big and consuming job this was—particularly from a budgeting standpoint, physically from hauling that amount of groceries around, and organizationally keeping track of orders/deliveries.
When I dropped off groceries to Sarah’s garage on a Friday afternoon, she opened her garage doors to not only reveal a busy family garage full of bikes and toys and normal garage things, but also a “working pantry”—bags and boxes of groceries and a stack of hot lunches that she was headed off to deliver to a group of students.
I asked her about the whole operation—which in my head I named Operation Foodlove—and she went on to explain how she and Jenn manage the ever changing weekly needs and orders. Additionally, they bring respect and dignity to the process by preserving family privacy while also inquiring of each family’s specific needs and preferences, and accommodating them accordingly.
Their consistency and steadfastness in providing such an important service is commendable and very much appreciated. ”
Outstanding Advocate: Kiani Pineiro-Hall
The Outstanding Advocate Award recognizes an individual for their advocacy and commitment in helping to create strong policies relating to the health, welfare, safety and education of children and youth. Parent and PTA Diversity & Inclusion Chair Kiani Pineiro-Hall has worked tirelessly to make Wedgwood a more inclusive environment for all students and families.
“Kiani’s work with the PTA’s Diversity and Inclusion Committee has been invaluable in helping Wedgwood become a more inclusive, safe and welcoming environment for all families, students and staff. While we have work to do, Kiani has been an incredible advocate for students and families. Much of the work and energy that she gives goes unseen by many, but her impact is so important. Kiani has often been a wise voice informing the work of our staff racial equity team...[She] was instrumental in developing student affinity groups and led one herself. I know how beneficial having that space was for my students. I had one student who was initially reluctant to check it out, but came back to class beaming after her first meeting. Kiani’s warmth and passion have made conversations around race and equity feel safe. Our community is lucky to have her.”
“The time and energy that Kiani has given to help create space, awareness, and action within our school community (and the Wedgwood community, in general) around issues of race, equity, and inclusion cannot be overstated. I cannot imagine Wedgwood school without Kiani and I appreciate her so much. As an educator, my racial equity work has absolutely been elevated as a result of my work with Kiani. ”
Honorable Mentions
Christine Tice, Teacher: “Ms Tice has been amazing with the remote learning kindergarteners this year. She handled technology issues with grace and patience. She constantly checked in on our family to make sure the remote set-up was working for us, and she was supportive when we needed to change up how our K student attended class. All the teachers have been outstanding, but teaching those young ones on the iPad is amazing.” -Lauren Young
Benjamin Gaines, Volunteer: “They have volunteered a ton- not on high profile roles but have been a key support to WES.” -Dan and Sue Miller
Mr. D, Teacher: “Wow talk about above and beyond this year. Mr. D is an amazing teacher and mentor! My kiddo was very engaged and it was only because of him! He put on a show daily to keep the first grade class going. I don’t know how he has the energy and passion but he does! He’s honestly the best! I only wish we could have him every year.” -Kristine Stidham
Steven Alvarez, Teacher: “The support he provides to my son allows him to achieve so much and boosts his confidence. He is respectful and helpful. And they have fun!” -Hailey Thompson
Donna Guise, Teacher: “She has a way of teaching that makes learning fun for my son. He learns tricks from her to help him remember things and has improved so much with her help.” -Hailey Thompson
Ms. Hafzalla, Teacher: “Ms. Hafzalla went above and beyond in so many ways - she converted her entire living room into a classroom for Zoom school. Her love and enthusiasm and energy pulled us through the darkest days of the lockdown. Upon returning to class, she had to leave for an emergency medical procedure. We expected her to be out for the rest of the year, and was able to get permission from her surgeon to return to class. What an incredible level of dedication!! My child really struggled with the isolation this year, and I appreciate her time in trying to find ways to lift them up and help them through.” -A parent of a kiddo in her class who REALLY appreciates everything she has done for her class this year.
Stacy Hoisington, Teacher: “Excellence in teaching both remote and in person. She managed her virtual classroom just like a regular classroom and I honestly feel the children in her kindergarten got the full kindergarten experience, despite being at home on their iPads. We had the pleasure of listening in to hundreds of her classes and they were joyful, fun, creative, packed full of learning, and not full of the many distractions that online learning could be. She taught into so many things for the children that they were very independent students and did not need a lot of parent help during the school day. I think she was truly a star teacher this year and we feel so grateful to have had her.” -Martha Larson
Nadia St. John, Teacher: “She cares for each of her students and pushes our staff to be better!” -Christy Smith
Miranda Liu, Volunteer: “She does so much for the school - from room parent (every year), school musical volunteer, always helping out!” -Anonymous
Iris Williams, Teacher: “My son had a lot of challenges this year, due to stress, surgery, sickness and overall overwhelming situations for him. Me Williams surpassed support, empathy and understanding for my son. She presents herself like a family member and has such faith in in her class. She had the ability to reach kids through virtual teaching and my son is finishing 3rd grade strong. My other 2 kids went to Wedgwood and had Ms Williams for 3rd grade and they still talk about her being one of their best teacher experiences.” -Kristine Gill
Lori Kelly, Volunteer: “For all of [her] work on the yearbook through the years. Especially during these past 2 school years when connections have been so important! -Beth Voelk