Superintendent Rundle Recognizes Employees of the Year, Retiring Staff, and Staff Service Milestones

MISD Employees of the Year Erica Otteson, Rita Harvey, Sarah Olson, Janelle Honeycutt, Anna Morzinski, and Jen Williamson.

Mercer Island, WA, May 28, 2025 – Mercer Island School District Superintendent Dr. Fred Rundle recognized the District’s Employees of the Year, Retiring Staff, teachers earning National Board certification, and MISD staff with a years of service milestone in a ceremony Wednesday at Northwood Elementary.

The 2024-25 MISD Certificated Employees of the Year are:
Sarah Olson, Robotics & Computer Programming, IMS
Erica Otteson, Librarian, Lakeridge
Rita Harvey, Science, MIHS

The 2024-25 MISD Classified Employees of the Year are:
Janelle Honeycutt, Paraeducator, Crest Learning Center
Anna Morzinski, Paraeducator, Lakeridge
Jen Williamson, Administrative Assistant, Maintenance-Operations-Transportation

The MISD Employees of the Year were presented a Red Marble Apple by Superintendent Rundle as symbol of recognition for their award.

Ten MISD staff members are retiring after the 2024-25 school year. They include:

David Bentley
Julie Biggs
Bob Blasich
Rosie Burns
JoAnne Earle
Susan Hamp
Dave Irish
Francis Materi
Sarah Olson
Carol Siebert

Retiring staff were presented a Crystal Apple by Rundle in recognition of their years of service to the district.

Islander Middle School Youth and Family Services Counselor Harry Brown is retiring after this school year, and he was recognized by Rundle and the District for his service to students and families during his time in the District.

The District recognizes years of service by staff in five-year increments. This year Rundle recognized the staff members listed below for their continuous contributions to the District. Each staff member reaching a year of service milestone was presented with a certificate recognizing their achievement.

45-Year Service Recognition
Steve Baird

35-Year Service Recognition
Lilly Okimura

30-Year Service Recognition
Tracy Richardson

25-Year Service Recognition
Lori deStwolinski
Matt Dupuis
Le-Minh Ha
Michelle Hayes
Julie Hovind
Julie Langley
Creighton Laughary
Tyson Peters
Kui Sendlawkowski

20-Year Service Recognition
Shawn Basoglu
Melanie Goldstein
Curtis Johnston
Alice Larkin
Sang Le
Aaron Miller
Anna Morzinski
Samantha Moseley-Avci
Lindsay Oliveira
Nhan Pham
Sarah Shannon
Karin Shelton
Kelly Tran
Pik (Katie) Wah
Kate Yoder

15-Year Service Recognition
Tom Dahlstrom
Jon Davis
Joey Gonzalez
Lindsey Gregg
Shelley Huffaker
Sherry Isaacs
Dru Klein
Cindi Pacecca
Stacy Smedberg
Jeff Winkle

10-Year Service Recognition
Anna Artz
Marcy Berejka
Lisa Bienstock
Joe Bryant
Miriam Eve
Lara Fitzgerald
Carolyn Freeman
Eric Goldhammer
Joseph Gushanas
Tony Ham
Patti Hanschen
Angela Hatchel
Jamil Hernton
Rachel Hood
Lopa Jacob
Trupti Kamath
Clara Kurtenbach
Kat Kuszak
Valerie Perine
Michelle Pettigrew
Stephen Rennie
Laurie Schawrtzberg
Russel Skurski
Shannon Tapp
Mo Youngs

5-Year Service Recognition
Jing An
Laurel Baker
Candy Capinpin
Anne Fillmore
Rachael Hitchcock
Mike Hogan
Wa (Wanna) Huang
Kristin Hummel
Megan Isakson
Karen May
Erin McGuire
Michelle Mueller
Gracie O’Brien
Alma Parness
Sheeba Rufai
Sreya Santhosh
Carrie Thompson
Krista Way
Tracy Woxland