Dan Davis, Carson City School District
The Carson City School District is pleased to announce individuals who have excelled in their positions as educators and employees and have been recognized for their works of merit by their peers and coworkers.
Traditionally, the school district selects one Educator and one Education Support Professional (ESP) Employee from all of the school sites to represent the entire district in each respective role.
Due to the restraints of school closures amid the COVID-19 pandemic, the school district has elected to forgo the awards ceremony dedicated to recognizing these individuals. As such, no single overall winner will be selected as Educator of the Year and ESP Employee of the Year.
“Each of these individuals regularly inspire students of all backgrounds and abilities to learn, and have earned the respect and admiration of students, parents and colleagues,” said Richard Stokes, superintendent for the Carson City School District. “Great teachers and employees are the core of a great educational system. They change the lives of individual students, daily. These winners are not only wonderful representatives for our school district, but they also make profound differences in our community each day.”
The Educators of the Year and ESP Employees of the Year winners recognized and honored (by their site alphabetically) include:
Shanell Cavener, algebra and geometry teacher at Carson High School
Robin Bleuss, account clerk II at Carson High School
Whitney Tynes, counselor at Carson Middle School
Jenny Ayala, para professional ESL at Carson Middle School
Lois Linehan, Teacher on Special Assignment (TOSA) at Eagle Valley Middle School
Denise DiMarzo, administrative secretary at Eagle Valley Middle School
Tara Hornemann, physical education teacher at Al Seeliger Elementary School
Karen Shaffer, office specialist at Al Seeliger Elementary School
Jessica Dunbar, second grade teacher at Bordewich Bray Elementary School
Cathleen Childs, para professional II at Bordewich Bray Elementary School
Theresa Marler, first grade teacher at Empire Elementary School
Carolina Higuera, office specialist at Empire Elementary School
Carol “Susie” Owens, second grade teacher at Fremont Elementary School
Mayelen Garijo, para professional ESL at Fremont Elementary School
Christine Donaldson, kindergarten teacher at Fritsch Elementary School
Dawn Bateman, para professional IV (1:1) at Fritsch Elementary School
Tearra Bobula, computer teacher at Mark Twain Elementary School
Casandra Blankenship, office specialist at Mark Twain Elementary School
John Corbit, math teacher at Pioneer High School
Karen Wayne, cook/baker at Pioneer High School
Kari Pryor, TOSA Implementation Specialist Cognitive Coach for Student Support Services
Sandra Guzzetta, para professional IV for Student Support Services
Michael Luke, bus driver trainer for Transportation
Gary Jones, skilled building maintenance for Operations
Gina Heinz, administrative secretary II for the District Office
The Carson City School District also recognizes Deanne Foley, RN, school nurse at Carson Middle School, as Health Professional of the Year, and Paula Zona, principal at Seeliger Elementary School, as Administrator of the Year.
