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2015-16 WCS Employees of the Year Announced

Published January 22, 2016

Williamson County Schools honored its 2015-16 Employees of the Year January 21 at a special ceremony in Franklin. The district rolled out the red carpet and Superintendent Dr. Mike Looney thanked the employees for their service.

Each school selected a teacher to be recognized, and from there, the district selected a system-wide Teacher of the Year at the elementary, middle and high school levels.

Elementary School Teacher of the Year

This year’s Elementary School Teacher of the Year is Lauren Baker of Clovercroft Elementary. Now in her eighth year with Williamson County Schools, Baker says she is motivated daily by her students.

“I enjoy being with the students,” said Baker, who teaches music at Clovercroft. “Seeing that love and response and especially watching them grow over six years is a true joy.”

Middle School Teacher of the Year

Grassland Middle school teacher Suzanne Lange was selected as the Middle School Teacher of the Year. She is in her eleventh year at GMS and says teaching has always been her passion.

“I always wanted to be a teacher,” said Lange. “I enjoy students, and I enjoy being part of their lives. I think middle school is that quirky time in a person’s life when they really need good teachers.”

High School Teacher of the Year

Ravenwood High School economics teacher Daniel Hollandsworth was chosen as the High School Teacher of the Year. Hollandsworth is also the head coach for the Ravenwood High School golf team.

“My favorite part of teaching is, and always has been, the chance I get to watch my students grow,” said Hollandsworth. “Many times, as an economics teacher, I get to challenge students’ ability to analyze information. My students never cease to amaze me in how they learn the material.”

Classified Employees of the Year

The district also honored its Classified Employees of the Year, which included everyone from teacher assistants to maintenance workers. Employees were nominated for the honor by their individual school or department.

This year’s winners are Chapman’s Retreat Elementary Special Education Teacher Assistant Linda Meese, Brentwood Middle Teacher Assistant Angie McKee and Page High Secretary Carrie Baker-Vitucci.

Elementary School Teachers of the Year

Valerie Black
Allendale

Melanie Dickson
Bethesda

Kim Pantall
Chapman’s Retreat

Lauren Baker
Clovercroft

Vickie Brake
College Grove

Sybil Davis
Crockett

Summer Curry
Edmondson

Kim Martin
Fairview

Christy Summey
Grassland

Christina Woods
Heritage

Joye Ofner
Hillsboro

Elizabeth Brabson
Hunters Bend

Virginia Nix
Kenrose

Mary Beth Carroll
Lipscomb

Anna Milton
Longview

Sandra Nichols
Nolensville

Elizabeth Puryear
Oak View

Kathy Caudill
Pearre Creek

Shelly Wyllie
Scales

Barbara Gilmer-Smith, Sunset

Erin Boone
Trinity

Heidi Triggs
Walnut Grove

Amanda Wilson
Westwood

Mayree Edwards
Winstead

Middle School Teachers of the Year

Jacob Ray
Brentwood

Alfred Takop
Fairview

Suzanne Lange
Grassland

Deana Shappley
Heritage

Suzie Cooksey
Hillsboro

Elaine Capella
Page

Stacey DeBoe
Spring Station

Holly Clark
Sunset

Susan Blunt
Woodland

High School Teachers of the Year

Christie Feiler
Brentwood

Wade Roberts
Centennial

Valerie Willmore
Fairview

Ashley Flood
Franklin

David Swanson
Independence

Nicole Guertin
Page

Daniel Hollandsworth
Ravenwood

Emma Scanlon
Renaissance

James Cherry
Summit

Elementary School Classified Employees of the Year

Jason Koch
Allendale

Jackie Underwood
Bethesda

Linda Meese
Chapman’s Retreat

Dana Bauer
Clovercroft

Angie Goodman
College Grove

Lynnea Ragsag
Crockett

Janice Rayborn
Edmondson

Teresa Harris
Fairview

Lynne Hiskey
Grassland

Pat Miller
Heritage

Wendy Carnes
Hunters Bend

Sarah Beth Stephenson
Kenrose

Linda Reynolds
Lipscomb

Robin Cook
Longview

Vicki Oglesby
Nolensville

Dana Graveno
Oak View

Donna Lambert
Pearre Creek

Leigh Ann Touloeisani
Scales

Patty Blevins
Sunset

Teresa Barnett
Trinity

Christine Raley
Walnut Grove

Iona Tidwell
Westwood

Kim Haynie
Winstead

Middle School Classified Employees of the Year

Angie Mckee
Brentwood

Stephanie Hughes
Fairview

Nancy Tate
Grassland

Andrea Sadd
Heritage

Phoebe Davis
Hillsboro

Carol Cajka
Page

Shelby Waymaster
Spring Station

Susan Giangreco
Sunset

Peggy Rein
Woodland

High School Classified Employees of the Year

Melissa Gerlach
Brentwood

Barbara Marquardt
Centennial

Donna Lankford
Fairview

Tammy Adams
Franklin

Carol Quinn
Independence

Carrie Baker
Page

Evelyn Woodard
Ravenwood

Theresa Willis
Summit

Departmental Employees of the Year

Barbara Mayo
Prof. Developent Secretary
TLA
Central Office

Libby Poteete
Field Manager
Food Service

Jill Farber
Occupational Therapist
Student Support Services
Health Care Professional

Nick Lunn
Network Technician
IT

Kenny Solomon
Carpenter
Maintenance

Pamela Dockery
Field Manager
SACC

Michael Costik
Substitute Teacher

Robert Prine
Supervisor
Transportation