Mr. Matt Morgan, Teacher on Special Assignment – Dean at Carson High School, was honored as the Carson City School District’s Educator of the Year, Tuesday, April 22, at the Carson City School District’s Annual Employee of the Year Recognition Event. Additionally, Ms. Jessica Greener, grants supervisor at the District Office, was recognized as the Education Support Professional (ESP) Employee of the Year, and Dr. Jen Ward, principal at Fremont Elementary School, was recognized as the district’s Administrator of the Year. See video below.
Morgan and Greener were selected from 25 site winners, including 11 teachers and 14 ESP employees who were selected from peers and administrators from various sites and schools within the district. The Administrator of the Year was selected from nominations from 27 school administrators. Each candidate endured a series of strenuous interview questions from a panel of comprehensive judges. Upon conclusion of those interviews, the panel then made the decision to select “one” ESP employee of the year, “one” educator of the year and “one” administrator of the year.
All Educators of the Year winners recognized and honored include (by their last name alphabetically):
- Lindsey Ashbaugh-Lorett, kindergarten teacher at Mark Twain Elementary School
- Jon Brill, music teacher at Eagle Valley Middle School
- Jessica Dunbar, second-grade teacher at Bordewich Bray Elementary School
- Julie Gingrich, math teacher at Carson High School – Pioneer Campus
- Mitchell Gregovich, seventh-grade math teacher at Carson Middle School
- Bethany Henry-Herman, physical education teacher at Fritsch Elementary School
- Heather Horigan, TOSA – Instructional Coach at Fremont Elementary School
- Joshlyn Jensen, LD/special education teacher at Empire Elementary School
- Matt Morgan, TOSA – Dean at Carson High School
- Kimberly Shepherd, adaptive physical education teacher at Student Support Services
- Brenna White, third-grade teacher at Seeliger Elementary School
All ESP Employees of the Year winners recognized and honored include (by their last name alphabetically):
- Sidnee Abbott, special education paraprofessional at Mark Twain Elementary School
- Vickie Estes, special education paraprofessional at Empire Elementary School
- Connie Fronapfel, library media technician at Seeliger Elementary School
- Jessica Greener, grants supervisor at the District Office
- Teresa Hernandez, paraprofessional EL at Eagle Valley Middle School
- Rosella Jordan, administrative assistant at Student Support Services
- Maria Lopez Gomez, special education paraprofessional at Carson Middle School
- Charles “Danny” Marcin, mechanic at the Transportation Department
- Elizabeth Martinez, director of Nutrition Services at Operations
- Rebecca McGee, special education paraprofessional at Fremont Elementary School
- Troy McLaughlin, custodian at Carson High School
- Steven Sousa, custodian at Bordewich Bray Elementary School
- Karen Wayne, cook/baker at Carson High School –Pioneer Campus
- Marilyn Weese, DHH interpreter at Fritsch Elementary School
“It was a very special evening to recognize the best of the best in the Carson City School District,” said Andrew Feuling, superintendent for the Carson City School District. “Their dedication makes our community a better place and Nevada’s future brighter. I am so grateful for their service.”
As part of the event, every individual winner was offered time at the podium to share words of appreciation or thanks as they best saw fit. They were all given framed certificates and coins that commemorated the recognition. Additionally, the three main winners (Morgan, Greener and Ward) were each given a $200 gift card courtesy of Greater Nevada Credit Union.
About the Overall Winners:
Mr. Matt Morgan has taught social studies for 21 years at Carson High and has more recently served as a teacher on special assignment as a dean of students for the past 2 years. He was also a baseball coach for 20 years. He is a product of this district, attending school at Fremont (when it was on Fifth Street where the Department of Education is now housed), Carson Jr. High and Carson High, graduating in 1994.
One of his greatest strengths is his ability to build relationships with students and educators alike. These relationships are formed upon high levels of trust and a follow-through on his commitments. Students and staff will seek him out in the hallways or in his office to talk about anything from weekend activities to friendly advice or other heavy conversations related to student behavior or reports. He mentioned in the panel interview that “As a dean, everyone’s worst day is his day, every day.” With nearly 2,300 students at Carson High, there is always something happening, and Mr. Morgan is usually in the thick of it.
One thing he said that stood out to the panel was “If kids are still willing to fist bump you as a dean, you’re doing something right to help change the culture.” Part of that culture change was the introduction of the Yonder cell phone pouches this year. Mr. Morgan helped train the staff on the school’s approach to cell phone usage and has consistently gathered data on the pouches’ impact and how they have greatly reduced the number of disciplinary issues on campus.
His educational philosophy is elegantly simple: Do what’s best for kids. This principle permeates every aspect of his approach, both in the classroom and as a dean. Mr. Morgan is a great educator because he fundamentally understands and demonstrates, daily, that he is a servant to education and a servant to his students. On a daily basis, throughout his regular workday, Mr. Morgan greets or says ‘Hello’ to no fewer than 200-300 students. His influence and reach, every day, is so huge.
When asked about why his peers may have chosen him to represent Carson High, he said, “Ultimately, I believe it comes down to who you are in your soul. And at my heart and soul, I am a teacher.”
Ms. Jessica Greener is the grants supervisor for the Grants Department at the District Office. She has worked for the school district for more than 23 years in varying duties and responsibilities. She started right out of high school at the age of 18. She has been an administrative secretary and later a Grants Analyst. Anyone who knows her knows she is the glue that keeps the grants department together.
One coworker described Ms. Greener as the go-to person for any questions within the district — a true wealth of knowledge. Her patience, kindness and unwavering willingness to help others makes her an invaluable member of our team. Ms. Greener possesses an incredible ability to manage complex tasks with efficiency and precision, ensuring that every detail is meticulously handled.
Within the last eight years, this was the third time Ms. Greener has been recognized as Employee of the Year at her site. She obviously is doing something right. Her work ethic is second to none. She consistently goes above and beyond, ensuring that every detail is accounted for, every deadline is met and every challenge is approached with a solutions-oriented mindset. No task is too big or too small — she tackles each with the same level of diligence.
The major deciding factor for the panel in selecting Jessica was her overall impact. She works with every site and department within the district and builds trust and lasting relationships with each. On more than one occasion, it has been said of her that she represents the Institutional Knowledge of the Grants Department.
When asked about why her peers chose her to represent her school site, she said, “We are all here to accomplish great things.”
Dr. Jen Ward is a product of the Carson City School District, graduating from Carson High School in 1991. She has officially worked for the district for 29 years and has been the Principal for Fremont Elementary School since 2017.
Previously, she was the vice principal and the dean of students at Carson Middle School. Before that, she was the Middle and Elementary School Implementation Specialist for both Eagle Valley Middle and Empire Elementary. Dr. Ward also taught fourth and fifth-grade classes and served as the Mathematics Instructional Coach at Empire Elementary. She earned her Bachelor’s in elementary and special education in 1995 from the University of Nevada, Reno. She later earned her Master’s in curriculum and assessment in 1999 from Grand Canyon University in Phoenix, Ariz. and her PH.D. in educational leadership from UNR in 2012. She also earned a TESOL Endorsement from Southern Utah University in Cedar City, Utah and was named Outstanding Mathematics Teacher of the Year from the Nevada Council of Mathematics.
Dr. Ward’s unwavering commitment to providing a high-quality education experience for the students of Fremont Elementary is truly inspiring. Her efforts to establish her school as a model AVID institution highlight her forward-thinking leadership, attention to detail and dedication to student success. She fosters an environment where both students and staff thrive, ensuring that every aspect of the school operates with excellence. Beyond her responsibilities as a principal, Dr. Ward is a tireless advocate for administrators throughout the district. She is instrumental in organizing Community of Practice lunches and providing opportunities for collaboration and professional growth. Additionally, her work in negotiating equitable pay through the union demonstrates her dedication to fairness and support for her colleagues.
Principal Raegan Virgil described Dr. Ward as an outstanding mentor and leader among her colleagues.
“Her guidance, kindness and willingness to share her expertise have made a significant impact on my professional journey as I transitioned into the district,” Principal Virgil said. “She leads with passion, integrity and an unwavering commitment to education, making her a truly deserving candidate for this prestigious recognition.”
