Riverside Elementary School -

Eric Krause, Head Building Service Manager at Morningside STEM Elementary School

Staff members at Morningside said the following about Eric in their nomination: "A big thank you to Eric Krause for stepping into his new role and launching the school year with focus and energy after only a short summer to prepare! Along with Amy Fracisco and Dan Revell, Eric has led the new BST Team with intention and purpose, setting a positive tone for a wonderful new school year. We also want to recognize and thank our custodial team, led by Eric, for their outstanding work this summer. The building looked amazing when we returned, and the clean, welcoming environment made a great first impression on our families and students!"

Lydia Gleiser, a Kindergarten Teacher at Leeds Elementary

Mrs. Gleiser embodies patience, kindness, and compassion in everything she does. Her classroom is a place where children feel safe, valued, and inspired to learn. Every student who walks through her door is given the gift of an environment where they can flourish.

One parent recently shared the profound impact Mrs. Gleiser had on their family, saying, “She was exactly what I needed to know that my son was going to be okay at school.” From the very first moment, this parent felt at ease leaving their kindergartener in her care. Over the course of the year, their son grew to love school and thrived in everything he did, a true reflection of the nurturing environment she creates.

Mrs. Gleiser doesn’t just teach; she inspires, encourages, and cares deeply for each student. Her dedication reaches beyond academics, touching families and building a foundation of confidence, joy, and a love of learning that will last far beyond kindergarten.

Tessa Jackson, a Kindergarten Teacher at Loess Hills Computer Programming Elementary

"Mrs. Jackson goes above and beyond for her students, families, and colleagues. She has a heart of gold and gives her all to each one of her students. She communicates with the staff working in her room and welcomes anyone who enters her classroom with respect. Mrs. Jackson communicates with her students’ guardians before and after school, making sure they are informed and involved. She is open to new ideas and strategies, putting them into practice right away, always keeping her students a priority. Mrs. Jackson grows with her teaching every day, gets to know her students, and builds strong relationships with them. She is steady, positive, and keeps things moving forward for her students. She teaches and reteaches expectations with patience, making sure her students feel supported. She has a gift with organization and smooth transitions. Thank you, Mrs. Jackson. Loess Hills is grateful to have you as part of the team!"

Jody Kennedy, a Math Teacher at West High School

Jody has taught for over 25 years, tackles three preps for her classes, bleeds green, has wonderful rapport with staff and students alike. One of her students says, "She is a great teacher who helps her students and always has a smile on her face every time I see her. She's a really positive person!" Congratulations!

Ricky Azpeitia, an Attendance Specialist at Irving Elementary

"Mr. Ricky is a celebrity at Irving Elementary. All the students seek him out and light up when they see him. He cares for them and ensures that he works with families to remove any barriers that may prevent them from attending school. He is a leader among the Attendance Specialists in the District. Our community, parents, staff, and students respect Mr. Ricky. Irving is lucky to have you!"

Ashley VandeStouwe, Early Childhood Special Education Teacher in Sioux City Community Schools Preschool Program

"Ashley has been nominated for her positivity. The beginning of the school year can be tough, but Ashley is student centered and started teaching routines and providing instruction right away. Ashley is kind to all and is a great person to have on the preschool team!"

Maria Brand, a Tier I Elementary Coordinator at Hunt A+ Arts Elementary

"Maria is an exceptional team player who consistently goes above and beyond to support classroom teachers. She leads by example, providing outstanding modeling that positively impacts both staff and students. Her decisions are always guided by data, ensuring the best possible outcomes for our students. Maria’s warm smile and positive attitude brighten every room she enters. We are truly fortunate to have her as part of the Hunt Elementary family!

Shannon Wheeler, an English SPED Co-Teacher at North Middle

"Shannon is new to the sixth-grade pod this year and has made her mark on our team and in the pod already. She is an outstanding colleague who goes above and beyond for other teachers and our students. We appreciate her hard work and her dedication to NMS and our students!"

Julie Johnson, a Nurse at Liberty Elementary

"Julie approaches each new day with a servant mindset. She supports our staff and students in any way possible, often reaching out to community resources to find solutions to challenges that arise. She is fully immersed in our school culture, participating in student and staff events, providing a significant contribution. She collaborates well with our office staff and supports nurses across the district. Her communication skills are top-notch! She is extremely thorough when working with families and students with health needs. We are lucky to have Julie at Liberty 'Making it Happen' for students and staff!"

Alyssa Jaques, a teacher at East High

"Alyssa goes above and beyond to help all students feel welcome and included. In the mornings, you can Alyssa greeting each and every child with a smile and 'good morning.' Alyssa consistently demonstrates excellence as both a teacher and colleague and creates a classroom environment where students feel values, respected and encouraged to reach their fullest potential. Beyond academics, Alyssa takes time to build meaningful relationships with students, providing mentorship and guidance that extents beyond the classroom walls. Alyssa is a true team player and her kindness and dedication uplifts everyone around her. Congratulations, Alyssa!"

Stephanie Ramirez, a Fifth-Grade Teacher at Bryant Elementary

Elsie Hatlevig said the following about Stephanie, "She goes above & beyond to help out the 5th grade team! She’s always there to help whenever you need."

The Admin Team at Bryant said the following, "Stephanie is a leader in our building and positive role model for students and staff. She works hard to build relationships, foster genuine care, and support high expectations for both academics and behavior."

Janna Mix, a Traveling Music Teacher at Riverside Elementary

"Mrs. Mix has been a wonderful addition to Riverside Elementary as a music teacher! The staff speak highly of her excitement and dedication to students. She brings engagement to her lessons and positivity to the whole building. We love having her at Riverside!"

Leah Book, a Building Assistant at East Middle School

"Leah's contributions to our front office make coming to work fun. Even during busy times, we can always count on her to keep the mood light with her laugh. She is always willing to jump in and give her talents to make projects like sports schedule posters and everything else just a little more special and customized for EMS. She is always willing to help problem-solve and help students and staff solve daily mysteries. Mrs. Book relates to the students where they are and treats them with kindness and respect. Mrs. Book has gone the extra mile for EMS for six years, and we appreciate her!"

Niccole Gebel, Marketing & Communications Coordinator at the Educational Service Center

Niccole was nominated for her instrumental work with HR's orientation program. Her creativity and helpfulness have made the project a huge success, including the onboarding materials and presentation she created for new district team members. Congratulations, Niccole, on this well-deserved honor! 

Michaeleen Friesner, a Secretary in the Transportation Department

"Although Michaeleen has been with our department a short time, she has become an integral part of our team. She is a pleasant voice to all who call the transportation department and is always helpful. She assists the staff with systemic questions. She continually works to solve issues and helps brainstorm for solutions to last-minute requests and challenges that arise. Thank you for all you do, Michaeleen!'

Brianna Fowler, a Math Teacher at West Middle

"Brianna demonstrates exceptional dedication and passion for her students. Ms. Fowler is also the green team lead and the teacher in charge of student council, showing her commitment to leadership and extracurricular activities. She actively supports school spirit by attending nearly every home sporting event and is genuinely liked and respected by her students. Moreover, she has been a wonderful mentor and is always willing to offer help and guidance when needed. Her dedication, leadership, and kindness make her truly deserving of this recognition. Thank you, Ms. Fowler! Congratulations!"

Karen Reissig, a Kindergarten Teacher at Unity Elementary

"Ms. Reissig joined Team Unity at the beginning of the year as a third-grade teacher, however, due to student needs, she transitioned to Kindergarten and is doing a fantastic job! Karen has fit right in with the staff and works hard to be a team player. I asked some of her students to give me one word to describe her, and here are some of their responses: fun, nice, happy, great, and although it is more than one word, 'I love her' seemed to be the consensus of her class. Karen was an overwhelming choice by the Unity Staff as the outstanding staff member for the month of September. Congratulations!"

Mariah Stusse, Registrar at Unity Elementary

"Ms. Stusse is the smiling face of Unity Elementary when anyone comes into the building, and everyone appreciates it. Mariah is so helpful and dependable! All staff know that we can count on her consistency and dedication to the students and staff at Unity. From dealing with bus issues to budget, or student behaviors to covering classes, she is so dependable, and always smiling!"

Susie Pinney, a Health Sciences Teacher at the Sioux City Career Academy

"Ms. Pinney is always high energy, creating the most positive energy at the Career Academy for both students and staff. She is warm, welcoming, and holds students to a very high standard. We are lucky to have Ms. Pinney as our staff member of the month!"

Miranda Curiel, an Office Manager at Perry Creek Elementary

"Miranda is truly instrumental in keeping our school running smoothly each and every day. She is always willing to jump in wherever needed and does so with a positive attitude that lifts everyone around her. Her organization skills are second to none, and her ability to think quickly and problem-solve on the spot makes such a difference in the daily flow of our school.

You would never guess this is her very first year as our office manager she carries herself with such confidence, professionalism, and grace that it feels as though she has been in this role for years. Miranda is the calm in the storm, the friendly face that greets families, and the steady hand that keeps us moving forward.

We are beyond grateful to have her as part of our Perry Creek Elementary family. Her hard work, dedication, and care for staff, students, and families do not go unnoticed, and we are so lucky to have her on our team!"

Allison Kirwan, a Transitional Kindergarten at Nodland Elementary

"Allison is an outstanding educator who goes above and beyond every day for her students, colleagues, and our school community. She creates meaningful and engaging learning opportunities that spark excitement in her classroom that emphasize community and teamwork. She also shares materials and ideas with colleagues, volunteers for committees, and actively looks for ways to support our school. She’s always researching fresh ideas to make learning exciting and brings them to life with enthusiasm and care.