Congratulations to our 2024-2025 Employees of the Year! Across all categories, these employees were commended for their hard work, dedication, and commitment to the mission of SD. Read more about each winner in the descriptions below.
AFSCME (Information Technology)
Cathy Gingras, Application Analyst III, Data Services
Cathy joined team KSD almost 29 years ago. In 2009-2010, she achieved the role she excels in now as the IT Senior Applications Analyst. In this role, Cathy supports third party products that integrate and rely on data from Qmlativ. Cathy works tirelessly to ensure all connections between Skyward and our applications sync up. She is vital in ensuring students have access to the technology they use day in and day out. Cathy has great attention to detail, and she finds joy in problem solving and unraveling connections. Cathy collaborates with many other departments, including HR, Teaching and Learning, Digital Learning, Assessment, Nutrition Services, Transportation, and Communications. Cathy herself has shared that one thing that keeps her going is her team gives her opportunities to learn and grow her skills. It is clear Cathy’s dedication to team KSD is a win for all students and staff. Congratulations, Cathy!
AFT (Mechanics, Custodians, Print Shop, Warehouse)
Torri Herman, Head Custodian at Meridian Elementary School
Torri creates a warm and inviting environment in the lunchroom, where she educates students on correct ways to dispose of trash, compost, and recycle items. She creates a space where students of all levels can learn to be leaders by being a lunchtime helper. She chooses students who can grow no matter how shy or quiet they might be. On top of being an incredible custodian, Torri volunteers as the stage manager for school plays, and is a part of every rehearsal and performance. Her dedication to creating a welcoming lunchroom environment, fostering leadership among students, and her invaluable contributions as stage manager truly exemplify the spirit of the Meridian Elementary School’s community. Congratulations, Torri!
Kent Association of Coaches & Extracurricular Employees/WEA
Honey Sychtysz, Unified Sports Advisor, Kentwood High School
Coach Honey joined team KSD 21 years ago. She started as a para and is now an SLP Assistant and Head Coach of the Unified Program. Coach Honey is a leader, a mentor, and a true champion of inclusion. She fosters an environment where athletes of all abilities feel valued, supported, and empowered to succeed. She believes that every student should have the opportunity to experience the joy of sports. Coach Honey listens to what sports the students want to play and finds modifications to ensure all students can participate. It is clear that Coach Honey’s commitment to the program, dedication to athletes, and her inspiring efforts to foster a culture of inclusion truly deserve recognition. Congratulations, Honey!
KAEOP Office Professionals
Michelle Moreno, Office Manager, Horizon Elementary School
Michelle joined team KSD almost 14 years ago as a paraeducator at Jenkins Creek. In 2014, she moved into her role as an office manager at Horizon Elementary School. Michelle is a great bilingual resource and supporter of Horizon, using her amazing talent of translating and advocating to successfully meet the needs of bilingual students. She provides teachers with forms and information promptly and ensures families receive information in multiple languages. She is actively involved in organizing and volunteering for various school committees and programs, including yearbook, student leadership, donation drives, and school events like Multicultural Day and Diversity Day. Michelle goes above and beyond to help all students feel welcome. She is a positive role model for students and is known for her friendliness, support and knowledge as both a parent and coworker. Congratulations, Michelle!
KAP Paraeducators
Nicole Rodriguez, Paraeducator at Kentridge High School
Nicole has been with KSD for almost 21 years. She started her career at Soos Creek and has been at Kentridge since the 2014-2015 school year. Nicoe helps prepare all students to be global citizens that encourages empathy, collaboration, and understanding diverse perspectives. She promotes patience, adaptability, and problem-solving, essential qualities for success in a global society. She supports differentiated instruction, assists in creating individualized education plans, (IEPs) and promotes a classroom culture where every student feels valued. Nicole is recognized for her unwavering dedication and passion. Congratulations, Nicole!
KEA (Classroom)
Marisabel Curtis, Teacher, Scenic Hill Elementary
Marisabel “Sabella” Curtis joined team KSD as a paraeducator at Park Orchard Elementary in 2021. She became a kindergarten teacher at Scenic Hill Elementary in 2022. “Sabella Curtis is a shining example of what it means to be an exceptional educator. Her dedication to her students goes beyond academics—she fosters a love of learning, builds confidence, and creates a welcoming environment where every child feels valued. Her passion for dual language education and innovative teaching methods makes a lasting impact on our school community,” said Principal Harjeet Sandhu-Fuller. Outside the classroom, Sabella has fostered community by creating a pickleball club for staff, and she also led a book study with the School Improvement Team. Superintendent Vela shared, “Sabella Curtis embodies the heart of education—passion, dedication, and an unwavering commitment to student success. Sabella’s impact extends beyond the classroom, strengthening the school community and enriching the lives of her students. We are proud to recognize her as the 2025 Teacher of the Year.” Congratulations, Sabella!
KEA (Non-Classroom Certificated)
Vaudery Brown, Counselor, Mill Creek Middle School
Vaudery Brown joined team KSD almost ten years ago as a counselor at Mill Creek. Vaudery is a vigorous equity advocate for building excellent systems at Mill Creek for the needs of every different group of students. At the district level, she is an equity advocate for all KSD school counselors and psychologists. She worked to create Mill Creek’s PTA, and works hard to find chaperones, volunteers, and even community members to help with events like field trips, picture day, and career day. Her wisdom and expertise in the field of counseling are easily recognized by all who work alongside her. Vaudery always has a smile on her face, is unfailingly polite, and offers positive words of encouragement to students and staff alike. Vaudery’s dedication to equity, community engagement and her infectious enthusiasm make her an invaluable asset to Mill Creek. Congratulations, Vaudery!
KPA Principals & Assistant Principals
Harjeet Sandhu-Fuller, Principal, Scenic Hill Elementary
Harjeet joined team KSD almost 14 years ago as the principal for Grass Lake Elementary. Two years later, she moved into the role she now excels at Scenic Hill. Harjeet excels with data and tech driven intervention systems at Scenic Hill. She uses data to identify and address achievement gaps and implements targeted interventions for students’ individual needs. Harjeet combines equity and excellence to promote high expectations, inclusions, and achievement for all students. She empowers her team to adjust curricular resources to reflect the diverse backgrounds of students, foster pride in identity and to promote empathy for cultural differences. She encourages creative thinking and risk-taking in learning and teaching. Harjeet is committed to the transformative power of education, ensuring all students understand they can go to college. She works tirelessly to connect students with mentorship, academic support, and exposure to college and career options, including STEM partnerships. It is clear that Harjeet’s innovative, inclusive, and student-centered approach has profoundly enriched the Scenic Hill community. Congratulations, Harjeet!
KSFSA Nutrition Services
Zhanna Cheban, Production Line Lead at Central Kitchen
Zhanna joined team KSD more than 20 years ago in November of 2004 as a food service helper. At the start of the 2019-2020 school year, Zhanna moved into the role she excels in now as the Production Line Lead at Central Kitchen. Zhanna does a very essential and important job for KSD as she coordinated the production of all meals that go to all our students. She prepares and packs all elementary meals, after-school snacks, and after-school dinners, She also works during the summer to feed the students of KSD. Zhanna works with a wide range of different ethnic groups, and she supports and treats all employees with respect and kindness. In her leadership role she is described as kind, caring, hardworking, and fair. Zhanna’s exceptional coordination of meal production is vital to KSD’s success. Congratulations, Zhanna!
Non-Rep – Central Office Admin
James Alyson, Assistant Director, Teaching & Learning, Inclusive Education
James first joined team KSD in the spring of 2010 as an intern, then became a speech language pathologist in the 2010-2011 school year. After spending some time in Seattle public schools, he returned to KSD in 2022-2023 as an assistant director in Inclusive Education. James actively supports IEP teams in developing rigorous IEPs, allocating necessary staffing, assisting with program placement decisions, and overseeing district-level processes. He advocates for equity for all students with IEP’s across the district, and attends IEP meetings and uses student data to make informed instructional decisions. He leads by example with a high level of integrity, balancing a student-first focus while supporting staff needs. He builds relationships based on respect, inspiring trust and collaboration between KEA members and the IE central office admin team. James’ dedication and leadership make him an invaluable asset to the district. Congratulations, James!
Non-rep (Non-Administrative, Non-Supervisor Staff)
Guillermina Torres, Student Achievement Specialist at Kent-Meridian High School
Guillermina joined team KSD in 2022 as a Student Achievement Specialist at Kent-Meridian High School, where she provides crucial support to the attendance, health room, discipline, enrollment, and counseling teams. Guillermina is an essential advocate for Spanish-speaking families, and she fosters an inclusive environment where MLE families feel they belong and are encouraged to express their concerns. Guillermina collaborates with Centro Rendu to offer outreach to middle school families, ensuring a smooth transition to high school for incoming 9th graders. Her efforts have significantly contributed to the investment of families in their children’s education, increasing the likelihood of students excelling and reaching graduation. She is known for her positivity, precision, and is always ready assess and meet families’ needs. She truly deserves to be recognized for her outstanding efforts and dedication. Congratulations, Guillermina!
Teamsters Bus Drivers
Carmen Norton
Carmen is completing her 23rd year with team KSD. Her bus route is about 9,000 miles per school year and safely transports about 100 students a day. After 23 years, that works out to driving over 200,000 miles and transporting 414,000 students. Carmen is warm and welcoming. She knows every student who rides her bus and provides support and encouragement. She is reliable and supportive and always willing to help. Carmen steps in when needed and has excellent attendance. She has a perfect safety record, exceptional school bus driving skills, and is fair and firm when it comes to student management. It is clear that Carmen truly embodies the qualities of an outstanding bus driver. Congratulations, Carmen!