Superintendent Rundle Recognizes Employees of the Year, Retiring Staff, and Service Milestones at Ceremony in MIHS Library
Mercer Island, WA, May 31, 2023 – Mercer Island School District Superintendent Dr. Fred Rundle recognized the District’s Employees of the Year, Retiring Staff, and staff with a years of service milestone in a ceremony this evening in the MIHS Library. Rundle was joined by Mercer Island Education Association (MIEA) President Sally Loeser at the ceremony.
The 2022-23 MISD Certificated Employees of the Year are:
Kate Yoder – Math, MIHS
Melissa Gaffney – Language Arts/Social Studies/Electives, IMS
Elizabeth Ohvall – Special Services, Northwood
The 2022-23 MISD Classified Employees of the Year are:
Kristin Brintnall – Administration Assistant, MIHS
Lisa Elefson – Paraeducator, Northwood
Ron Pham – Technology Specialist, MIHS
Four MISD staff members are retiring after the 2022-23 school year. They include:
Shawn Cusack
Roy Ellingsen
Evelyn Jiménez
Jay Little
The District recognizes years of service by staff in five year increments. This year Rundle recognized these staff members for their continuous contributions to the District.
45-Year Service Recognition
Jane Dolence
Francis Materi
35-Year Service Recognition
Dave Bentley
25-Year Service Recognition
Kirsten Bourke
Jamie Cooke
Tanya Goodman-Sylvester
Aaron Noble
Chris Twombley
20-Year Service Recognition
Mary Jo Budzius
Michele Frisch
Liz Kuhn
Phuoc La
Erica Ottesen
Kelly Rorem
Suh-Jen Tsaur
David Willecke
15-Year Service Recognition
Clair Cullen
Anne Fukui
Christine Kenyon
Jay Little
Chris Cocklin-Ray
Susan Rindlaub
Shelley Sage
Cary Spitz
Carley Tallman
Nova Williams
10-Year Service Recognition
Shawn Cusack
Jayna Dash
Jessie Dye
Melissa Gaffney
Amanda Higgins
Oscar Kelley
Ellinor LeMaster
Marisa LeVeque
Kathleen Long
Kristen McBurney
Jen McLellan
Scott Ritchie
Susan Skarperud
Madeleine Tessier
Tri Vu
Deana Wiatr
Patti Williams
5-Year Service Recognition
Diana Apacible
Simone Carmel
Pak Cheung
Cindy Cole
Renee De Bock
Kristi Diederich
Martina Fitzgerald
Katie Gallagher
Sarah Hart
Elizabeth Holland
Michael Hughes
Griffen Jones
Emily King
Denise Knopp
Jiovanna Koceski
Devin Kubat
Karen Lauritzen
Cody Layton
Cuong Ly
Yashmi Malik
Ellen Marks
April McNeill
Elizabeth Melton-Grace
Barb Middleton
Susan Miller
Angela Mitchell
Stephanie Moffat
Brenna Nelson
Sean O'Callaghan
Elizabeth Ohvall
Alex Perry
Holly Purcell
Hoa Quach
Jamie Robertson
Jessie Robinson
Annalise Rockow
Katelynn Ronje
Becky Sandwith
Leslie Seelye
Jane Smith
Tyler Stevens
Courtney Taylor
Denise Thomas
Lisa Thomas
Thu Truong
Bev vanHartesvelt
Ben Yada
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The Mercer Island School District New Family Welcome event is scheduled for Thursday, October 5, from 6pm-7:30pm in the Commons at Islander Middle School. Islander Middle School is located at 7447 84th Ave. SE.
Our schools, students, and staff started the year strong and confirm we are poised for an exceptional year. Though my last communication just came out a couple of weeks ago, I committed to providing mid-September updates, highlights, and recognitions. I would never pass on the opportunity to brag about our school district!
The Mercer Island School District will be hosting three Community Engagement Sessions in October about the District’s Long Range Facilities Plan (LRFP).
Wonder, worry, accomplishment, apprehension…joy. I flew home on Sunday night after dropping my oldest child off at college. I had many emotions to keep me occupied. Those of you who have already watched children move out, you know the feelings all too well.