Each month, dedicated staff are awarded for going above and beyond in monthly PRIDE nominations, an SD308 program honoring teachers and staff for their spectacular contributions to the community.
Every month, employees from around the district are nominated for their outstanding contributions and characteristics. According to the district website, this PRIDE program stands for Proudly Recognizing Individuals Demonstrating Excellence.
In Nov., five OH staff members earned the award: English teacher Adam Jensen, Multilingual English teacher Iram Herrera, Career & Technical Education teacher Kristen Anderson, World Languages teacher Keith Strnad, and OH Building Engineer Timothy Lysne, and they all showed amazing gratitude in their departments.
“I had zero expectations for [the award]” said Herrera. “I kind of just tried to do my job through my abilities, so it was definitely a weird moment when it happened.” Herrera was nominated for making his students feel connected and supported.
“Iram is dedicated to our students and deserves to be recognized for the time and energy he puts into being more than just a teacher,” a nominator explained in a statement read during the Nov. 17 Board of Education (BOE) meeting during which all OH recipients were recognized.
The nominator continued, “[Herrera] even spends mornings before school in his classroom so students have a safe and welcoming place to congregate.” Comments like this prove that little things, such as teachers or staff giving students their time, can go a long way.
Jensen was also nominated for being helpful and a great listener for his students.
A nominator said, “[H]is enthusiasm for teaching and genuine care for others inspires those around him to do their best and work hard, [and] his students define him to be helpful, a good listener, and easy to talk to.”
Prior to the Nov. BOE meeting, the nominees were surprised in their classrooms with Superintendent Andalib Khelghati, a member of the Board of Education committee, and OH Principal Christopher Grays, as well as photographers telling them they’ve been nominated.
“It was quite an experience,” said Jensen simply with a smile.
Jensen added that “[the PRIDE program] started some years ago by the Board of Education… to recognize people in District 308 who have received recommendations from teachers, parents, students, just for things that they’re doing exceptionally well in the classroom.”
The nominees had a ceremony where they were awarded with a certificate and a goodie bag to show that their efforts are appreciated.
“I think it was really wonderful to be recognized by the families and the students I interact with [on] a daily basis. It definitely serves a positivity boost,” said Herrera.
He appreciatively continued, “I will say, I like to see people continuing, and I would like to see other staff members that do seek this…incredible job here in the school [and] the district to be recognized for all their… efforts.”
The nominated staff expressed their appreciation for this award, especially as it was such a surprise.
“It’s a really big honor to be recognized, and super cool to feel like the things that you do on a day-to-day make a difference to some people in our community,” Jensen said.
“I’m just really thankful for the community that we have here at SD308, and…the way that we continually support each other and make this a place for excellence,” he added.
Hi, my name is Peyton. I'm a junior in highschool and it's my first year on staff. You can contact me by emailing 42Fifty@sd308.org and putting my name in the subject line. We welcome comments on our articles and feedback on our publication.
