Hermiston High School
Maureen Crossley
Mrs. Maureen Crossley is a Business Teacher at HHS and has been a district employee for thirty-two years. She is a true professional in her craft. She dedicates hours before and after school to provide opportunities for her students to learn and grow. One only needs to step in her classroom, on any given day, to see quality-teaching take place. There is no question that her students are prepared upon leaving her class.
She is a go-to colleague and leader in the business department, as well as an instructor for Blue Mountain Community College.
John Fisher
Mr. John Fisher is the Engineering and Robotics Teacher at HHS and has been a district employee for three years. He goes above and beyond to inspire students in the discipline of engineering. They are encouraged to take risks in the classroom, which in turn, fosters curiosity and higher-level thinking. Mr. Fisher effectively uses instructional strategies; he collaborates well with his peers, and his work ethic is impeccable. He spends countless hours improving his skills in architectural design, 3D printing and laser engraving.
Armand Larive Middle School
Cori Applegate
Mrs. Cori Applegate has been a district employee for thirty-three years and currently teaches language arts. Mrs. Applegate is dedicated to the students’ learning and well-being; she asks questions and shows interest in their lives, encouraging them in their extracurricular activities. She is a supportive mentor and a good resource in advisory meetings. Her ability to be a great listener allows her to offer valuable suggestions for successful resolutions. She often works behind the scenes to ensure projects run as smoothly as possible, and she gives 150% to achieve greater outcomes.
Sandstone Middle School
LouAnne Patterson
Mrs. LouAnne Patterson is a seventeen-year district employee and special education teacher. She inspires her students on a daily basis; she praises and values them as learners and as people. When students struggle, she focuses on their strengths, reminds them that success is possible, and is quick to implement strategies to help them learn. When her students achieve success, she celebrates their accomplishments and growth. Mrs. Patterson builds rapport with her students and keeps in touch with them long after they have left Sandstone. She is a strong "out of the box" thinker, who is a great resource for staff because of her knowledge base and special education background.
Desert View Elementary School
Darci Wellsandt
Ms. Darci Wellsandt is a fourth-grade teacher, and she has been a district employee for thirteen years. Ms. Wellsandt is an individual that creates inspiring relationships with students. As a staff member, she is a team player who is wonderful to work with. She advocates and collaborates with DV staff and others across the district. She possesses a wealth of resources; being a master of all things Google, she is constantly innovating her ideas to develop real-world applications and help connect school content to her students.
Highland Hills Elementary School
Brittany Mustoe
Ms. Brittany Mustoe is a fifth-grade teacher at Highland Hills. She has been a district employee for three years. Inspiring, engaging, student-centered and motivating are a few words that describe Ms. Mustoe to a T. She has an amazing skill set and work ethic. Her desire for efficiency shows in the classroom and as a teammate.
A fellow Highland Hills's staff stated, “Ms. Mustoe is a team player who collaborates with others and is an all-around great human who loves her students."
Rocky Heights Elementary School
Laurel Woodward
Mrs. Laurel Woodward is an English Language Development teacher and a twenty-four-year district employee. She is a very dedicated teacher, who gives her very best each day and always puts her students first. She has built lasting relationships with teachers and students; is positive, knowledgeable, and driven to help students grow; and provides support to new teachers in and out of Rocky.
In part due to the efforts of Mrs. Woodward, Rocky has the highest percentage of students meeting proficiency on the ELPA 21 as well as the highest number of students on track for EL proficiency in any K-5 building in Eastern Oregon.
Sunset Elementary School
Kim Sexton
The students in Ms. Sexton’s class are always well taught. She works well with all specialists in the building, has a solid ethic, and does whatever it takes to help her students.
West Park Elementary School
Marci Wattenburger
Mrs. Marci Wattenburger is a first-grade teacher and twelve-year district employee. She takes the time to celebrate her students’ unique abilities, both academically and socially. She takes the time to connect with her students and goes above and beyond to meet their specific needs. Mrs. Wattenburger is exemplary in the realm of collaboration and is passionate about her job as an educator.