Mrs. Kendra Tuttle, Early Childhood teacher at Carson High School, was honored as the Carson City School District’s Educator of the Year, Tuesday, April 21, at the Carson City School District’s Annual Employee of the Year Recognition Event.
Additionally, Ms. Rebecca Hanzlik, Administrative Assistant II at Carson High School, was recognized as the Education Support Professional (ESP) Employee of the Year, and Amy Robinson, principal at Carson Middle School, was recognized as the district’s Administrator of the Year.
Tuttle and Hanzlik 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):
- Rebecca Allen, English teacher at Carson High School Silver Campus
- Rudy DeLeon, Psychologist at Student Support Services
- Molly Martin, first-grade teacher at Mark Twain Elementary School
- Koreen Mouradian, fifth-grade teacher at Fremont Elementary School
- Kayleigh Robinson, fourth-grade teacher at Empire Elementary School
- Shannon Slamon, third-grade teacher at Bordewich Bray Elementary School
- Kendra Tuttle, Early Childhood teacher at Carson High School
- Briana Valley, music teacher at Carson Middle School
- Irene Waltz, technology teacher at Fritsch Elementary School
- Bethany Want, school nurse at Seeliger Elementary School
- Brittany Witter, social studies teacher at Eagle Valley Middle School
All ESP Employees of the Year winners recognized and honored include (by their last name alphabetically):
- Julie Ammerman, purchasing supervisor at Operations
- Kim Cohen, kindergarten paraprofessional at Seeliger Elementary School
- Erick Cooper, mechanic II at the Transportation Department
- Kelley Ferretti, administrative assistant III at Carson Middle School
- Rebecca Hanzlik, administrative assistant II at Carson High School
- Julie Klanke, special education paraprofessional II at Mark Twain Elementary School
- Heather Laaker, special education paraprofessional II at Fremont Elementary School
- Christina Monson, cook/baker at Fritsch Elementary School
- Darcy Parker, administrative assistant II at Student Support Services
- Noah Ramos, campus monitor at Eagle Valley Middle School
- Amanda Stepro, administrative assistant I at Carson High School Silver Campus
- Triana Tijerina, EL paraprofessional at Bordewich Bray Elementary School
- Matilde Valenzuela, administrative assistant I at Empire Elementary School
- Brian Waltz, systems engineer at the District Office
“It was a remarkable evening celebrating the exceptional individuals who make the Carson City School District so amazing,” said Andrew Feuling, superintendent. “Their commitment uplifts our entire community and helps shape a bright future for Nevada. I’m incredibly appreciative of all they do.”
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 as well as individual Starbucks gift cards.
About the Overall Winners:
Mrs. Kendra Tuttle is not only a product of the Carson City School District, but she is also following in her mother’s footsteps. Her mother, Mrs. Karen Simms, was the 1992 Carson High School Teacher of the Year.
It seems that being a teacher is seemingly wrapped into Mrs. Tuttle’s DNA. After her mom carried her up and down the halls of Carson High during her pregnancy, some of Mrs. Tuttle’s earliest memories involve attending football games and spring musicals. So, long before she understood the profession, Mrs. Tuttle understood its impact.
Mrs. Tuttle mentioned in her panel interview that she is “teaching future teachers.” But her impact extends far beyond the walls of Carson High School. She has established partnerships with every elementary school in the district, allowing her high school students to work directly in early childhood classrooms. She has also created opportunities for her students to serve the broader community by volunteering at parenting classes, community events and family programs, where they are consistently requested for their professionalism and compassion.
Mrs. Tuttle also helped organize the High School Graduation walks last year, which is where graduating seniors visited the elementary schools they each attended when they were young. The emotional and inspiring visits from the high school seniors in their cap and gowns provided hope to grade-schoolers and invigorated them that they can achieve big things.
In short, Mrs. Kendra Tuttle is a gift to Carson High School, to the district and to the entire community. She has built something lasting and meaningful – something rooted in compassion, purpose and the belief that education can change lives. She embodies the very best of the teaching profession and reminds all educators why this work matters.
Ms. Rebecca Hanzlik has only been working at Carson High School for two years, but she has made a lasting impact there. She is a product of the Carson City School District and is a 2013 Carson High Graduate. In her role as the Career Center specialist, her goal has been to help all students know what they want to do before they graduate.
Beyond her formal responsibilities, Ms. Hanzlik finds ways to strengthen student support systems. Earlier this year, she played a key role in launching the Career Closet at Carson High, which is a valuable resource that provides students with professional clothing for work, school events and other CTE student activities.
Coworkers consistently describe Ms. Hanzlik as approachable, supportive and deeply committed to student success. She regularly assists students with a wide variety of needs and takes the time to organize engaging opportunities for incoming freshmen to help them feel welcomed and supported. Her office is a hub of activity, where students seek guidance on employment opportunities, resume critiques, interview preparation and professional expectations.
Her warmth and encouraging demeanor creates a safe and welcoming environment for both students and staff. She is highly respected by her colleagues and deeply valued by the students she serves. Her dedication, professionalism and genuine commitment to student growth make her an exceptional representative of Carson High School’s Educational Support Professionals.
Principal Amy Robinson is a product of the Carson City School District, graduating from Carson High School in 1989. She has officially worked for the district for 30 years and has been the Principal for Carson Middle School since 2022.
Prior to her appointment at Carson Middle School, Amy served as the vice principal at Eagle Valley Middle School. Prior to that, she was the dean of students and an administrative intern at Carson Middle School. She also taught sixth-grade Science and sixth-grade Math at Carson Middle. She was also a second-grade team teacher, Math facilitator, fourth-grade teacher and first-grade team teacher at Empire Elementary School. She began her teaching career as a remedial Reading Teacher at Bordewich-Bray Elementary. Mrs. Robinson earned her bachelor’s in Pre-Medicine and a master’s in Elementary Education from the University of Nevada, Reno. She also earned a master’s in Administration from Sierra Nevada College.
At the core of Mrs. Robinson’s work is an unwavering, authentic care for students. In an environment where it is easy to focus solely on data and metrics, she never loses sight of the human being behind the test score. Mrs. Robinson treats every student with dignity, fostering a sense of belonging and ensuring the school is a safe place for everyone.
Perhaps Mrs. Robinson’s most defining trait is her long-term vision. She is not merely interested in students passing a class. She is invested in them succeeding in life. She advocates for programs and policies that build character, resilience and real-world skills. To Mrs. Robinson, a successful administration is one that equips students to be thoughtful, capable and compassionate citizens long after they graduate.
