IMESD Announces 2023 Union County Crystal Apple Award Winners

By Garrett Christensen on Tuesday, May 9th, 2023 in More Top Stories Northeastern Oregon News

UNION COUNTY – Release from the InterMountain Education Service District) Note: the name of the district Superintendents below is for information only, the Superintendents did not receive awards.

Cove School District

Superintendent: Earl Pettit

Jill Magee (Head Cook) Cove School District

Candy McGilvray (Business Teacher/FBLA Advisor) Cove High School

Elgin School District

Superintendent: Dianne Greif

Hannah Bingaman (2^nd Grade Teacher) Stella Mayfield Elementary

Roger Hutson (Bus Driver) Elgin School District

Imbler School District

Superintendent: Randy Waite

Rheadean Hays (School Counselor) Imbler School District

Dawn Treat (Special Education Teacher/TAG Coordinator) Imbler Elementary School

La Grande School District

Superintendent: George Mendoza

Kylee Goodwin (4^th Grade Teacher) Island City Elementary School

Parker McKinley (6^th Grade Teacher/Varsity Baseball Coach) La Grande Middle School

Keri Myer (Library Clerk) La Grande Middle School

Margaret Spence (Behavior Intervention Assistant) Island City Elementary School

North Powder School District

Superintendent: Lance Dixon

Allie Craig (Language Arts Teacher) North Powder School District

Stephanie Mays (1^st Grade Teacher) North Powder School District

Union School District

Superintendent: Carter Wells

Kathy Brotherton (Custodian) Union School District

Rhondie Johansen (Student Success Coach K-12) Union School District

InterMountain Education Service District

Superintendent: Dr. Mark Mulvihill
Janelle Neitch (EI/ECSE Referral Specialist, Screener & ECAT Assistant), Early Intervention/Early Childhood Special Education Department

Winner Biographies:

Cove School District

Jill Magee is the Head Cook for Cove School District and she has worked for the district for two years. Always willing to help out wherever needed in the district, she has brought positivity and happiness to the cafeteria, according to her nomination form. Jill has been instrumental in researching and expanding the opportunities that the school food service has available. Jill is a “smiling face in the middle of each day for each student!”

Candy McGilvray is a Business Teacher and FBLA Advisor at Cove School District. She worked in the district previously and returned in 2017. Candy has gone above and beyond to advance students and the school district in a positive direction. Due to her guidance, inspiration and teaching skills, the number of students in FBLA has doubled in the past year. Her nominators describe Candy as a team player and “a shining example to her students” who provides “a safe and equitable space for them to reach their fullest potential.”

Elgin School District

Hannah Bingaman is a 2^nd Grade Teacher at Stella Mayfield Elementary who has worked for Elgin School District for four years. Highly organized and professional, she provides a strong foundation for student success. Hannah has fostered a learning environment of encouragement and mutual respect that students and their parents enjoy, all while quickly realizing students’ needs and adapting instruction. She is also a leader in PLC, regional teaching huddles and the new formative assessment process.

Roger Hutson is a Bus Driver in the Elgin School District, where he has worked for three years. Generous with his time and energy, Roger is patient and kind with students and knows all the bus students by name. He considers his role as a district staff member a supporting role for kids, and does this in many ways. District sports teams request Roger as their bus driver because he is like bringing along a cheer squad! “He was the perfect hire as a bus driver because he instills the same qualities our teaching and classified staff do.”

Imbler School District

Rheadean Hays is a School Counselor for Imbler School District and has worked for the district for three years. Drawing on a wealth of experience, she works with individual students, small groups, classes and families in the school community. Rheadean is adept at working with families as part of her strategy to support struggling students, always with a caring and compassionate heart. “Rheadean goes above and beyond to make sure that Imbler families, students and even teachers and staff are cared for and appreciated!”

Dawn Treat is a Special Education Teacher at Imbler Elementary School who also serves as the 504 Coordinator and TAG (Talented and Gifted) Coordinator. She has worked for the district for one year. She has proven to be an essential part of the school team, helping to streamline policies. Dawn spends many hours advocating for students to set them up for success, using effective communication with students, families and even teachers, to develop best methods to work with individuals. She is a vital part of Imbler’s team!

La Grande School District

Kylee Goodwin is a 4^th Grade Teacher at Island City Elementary School who has worked for La Grande School District for 13 years. Amazingly organized and full of energy, she excels at making her students feel part of a big family and community at school. Kylee manages her classroom with excellence, creating an environment that fosters trust and high expectations. She made “kindness squad” T-shirts for all her students, who stand outside the school on specific days to welcome all students. One parent of a student whom Kylee made a big impact on said, “the way she believes in our child and sees them for who they are has made them in turn believe in themselves and we are forever grateful for her.”

Parker McKinley is a 6^th Grade Teacher at La Grande Middle School and is a varsity baseball coach at La Grande High School. He has worked for the district for 11 years. A dynamic teacher, he creates a learning space where students can thrive and be challenged. Parker’s instruction strategies employ best practices that not only effectively teach concepts, but effectively assess student understanding. He is also the leader of a highly effective PLC team. “Mr. McKinley goes above and beyond for the kids as well as the district!”

Keri Myer is a Library Clerk at La Grande Middle School and she has worked for the district for 32 years. Always warm and caring, she takes the time to remember students’ names and get to know them. Keri works hard to keep the books relevant and to create a welcoming space, plus look for new funding sources to improve the library. She loves to teach kids that reading is the best! Students remember her long after they leave the middle school.

Margaret Spence is a Behavior Intervention Assistant at Island City Elementary School. She has worked for the La Grande School District for eight years. Always willing to go the extra mile to support students and staff, she helps students maximize their learning by getting needed skills to improve in the classroom. She supports teachers with student behavior in all settings and is always willing to step in and do whatever is asked. Her presence in the building is felt by everyone and her impact is needed each and every day. “She helps make Island City Elementary a great place to work and there couldn’t be a more deserving person for this award.”

North Powder School District

Allie Craig is a Language Arts Teacher for North Powder School District and has worked for one year for the district. She teaches middle school and high school language arts, but was asked by the district to develop a course called Western Culture, demonstrating her commitment and the wonderful interaction she has with students. This fun and interactive elective has been very popular with students, many who also have an interest in rodeo, ranching or agriculture. Hardworking and caring, Allie has a positive impact on students and the district.

Stephanie Mays is a 1^st Grade Teacher in the North Powder School District, where she has taught for seven years. Described as patient, compassionate and energetic, she shows genuine interest in her students. With a caring attitude, she prepares them to be successful while inspiring them to be their best selves. Stephanie is always looking for new techniques to improve her instruction and incorporating fun traditions to keep students engaged and love learning. “Even on hard days she always has a good attitude and finds the humor and the silver linings, and it has spread to her students to do the same.”

Union School District

Kathy Brotherton is a Custodian at Union High School and has worked five years for the district. She works well with staff and students, including working with the district’s resource employee. Over the past several years, with school bond construction projects and the addition of new CTE spaces, Kathy has done a tremendous job of maintaining the highest level of cleanliness in extra rooms and the entire school. Due to her efforts, the district receives positive feedback from visitors and has improved morale of students and staff. “The future of Union High School is very bright due to the work ethic, professionalism and extra efforts that Kathy shows daily.”

Rhondie Johansen is the Student Success Coach K-12 for Union School District and has worked for the district for 22 years. Last summer, she was given the job of implementing the Character Strong curriculum district wide, so after training herself, she coached staff to present weekly lessons that are changing the attitude, effort and culture of the district in a positive way. Rhondie does a wonderful job of connecting with students and staff and oversees student attendance success, academic performance and pre-counseling needs, becoming a tremendous asset. “Rhondie has single-handedly changed the culture of Union School District and makes the district better every single day!”

InterMountain Education Service DistrictJanelle Neitch is an EI/ECSE Referral Specialist, Screener & ECAT Assistant in the Early Intervention/Early Childhood Special Education Department of IMESD. She has worked for the agency for seven years. With her extensive knowledge of early childhood development, she is adept at obtaining accurate data and making informed observations of children. In addition to detailed preparation, she demonstrates a calm, professional manner with young children and their families, communicating well and providing valuable insights that help provide “the big picture” about a child’s skills and needs. Janelle always comes to work with a smile and “personifies the values, work ethic and positive outlook our organization hopes to foster in all our employees.”