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E² Award Recipients

Olathe parents have a lot to be grateful for this year. A top-notch school district with excellent educators is surely at the top of that list, especially at Mahaffie and Brougham Elementary Schools. As schools were finishing the week prior to the Thanksgiving holiday break, the Olathe Public Schools Foundation surprised two teachers who were nominated by their students, parents and fellow colleagues to receive the Educator Excellence, or E2 , award.
 
This was the second time this fall that Brougham Elementary School received an Educator Excellence award. Just last month, Laura Smith, received the award. This time it was second-grade teacher, Susan Newman. It was a repeat performance of an all-school assembly, orchestrated by Principal Stephanie Conklin, to surprise this veteran teacher. There couldn’t have been a better way to begin the Thanksgiving holiday break than to tell Mrs. Newman that she was appreciated for her classroom excellence.
 
Said colleague Jennifer Hopfinger, “Susan is one of the most dedicated and hard-working teachers I have worked with. She is a wonderful leader on our staff and a complete professional.”
 
Susan has been in education a total of 28 years working not only in Olathe but also as far away as Illinois. She has Bachelor’s degree from Kansas State University and a Master’s from Pittsburg State University. Mrs. Newman loves reading, especially mysteries or anything related to World War II. She’s even visited Auschwitz, an experience she calls “very moving.”
 
Toni Cole, a fifth-grade teacher at Mahaffie Elementary School, was also a November Educator Excellence recipient. Toni was finishing up a lesson in preparation for her students’ lunch break when Foundation staff entered her room unexpectedly, followed by Toni’s collegues,  friends and family. She was surprised, to say the least!
 
Toni was nominated by six people for her educational excellence. Former student Bella Todd wrote in her nomination letter about Mrs. Cole, “She wants us to like school and she wants us to do good. She really cares about all of us. She works extra hard to help us to be better students and people.” 
 
Co-worker Kerri Davis said, “I first met Toni my very first year of teaching. I was lucky enough to have her on my team and as my mentor. In all honesty, I could not have asked for a more supportive and generous mentor. She always made time for me and was completely invested in helping me succeed. I felt like I got a little taste of what the students must feel on a daily basis. I knew she was always there for me and truly wanted me to be successful and reach my highest potential as an educator.”
 
Toni has taught in the district for twelve years, first as a paraprofessional at Green Springs Elementary School, then as a teacher at Mahaffie. She went to KU on a vocal music scholarship and decided instead on a career of teaching, graduating with a BS from Ottawa University with certification in K-9 education.
 
The Olathe Public Schools Foundation is currently accepting nominations for the Educator Excellence Award. You can nominate your teacher. Click the Educator Excellence button above or talk to your building principal and make your teacher’s day.
 
photos: above right: Susan Newman (right)  is presented her award by OPSF Executive Director, Cindy VonFeldt
above left: Toni Cole with her nominating students
 

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School YearName 
2011-2012 Toni Cole Mahaffie Elementary School
2011-2012 Susan Newman Brougham Elementary School
2011-2012 Kathy Olsen Clearwater Creek Elementary School
2011-2012 Amy Schroeder Harmony Early Childhood Center
2011-2012 Laura  Smith Brougham Elementary
2011-2012 Nicole  Smith Havencroft Elementary School
2011-2012 Michelle Williams Rolling Ridge Elementary
2011-2012 Kenn Woodward Black Bob Elementary School
2010-2011 Judy Anderson Bentwood Elementary School
2010-2011 Cheryl  Craft Black Bob Elementary School
2010-2011 Kotoka Curry Green Springs Elementary School
2010-2011 Courtney Cutler Pleasant Ridge Elementary School
2010-2011 Debbie  Freely-Hall Sunnyside Elementary School
2010-2011 Jessica Gad Scarborough Elementary School
2010-2011 Amanda Guengerich Bentwood Elementary School
2010-2011 Courtney Hallenbeck Woodland Elementary School
2010-2011 Kevin Hulsen Olathe Northwest High School
2010-2011 Cory Martens Briarwood Elementary School
2010-2011 Amy Martin Rolling Ridge/Countryside Elementary School
2010-2011 Erin Meyer Countryside Elementary School
2010-2011 Becky Monke Rolling Ridge Elementary Schools
2010-2011 Laura Nutt Ravenwood Elementary School
2010-2011 Laurie Plankers Olathe South High School
2010-2011 Kristin  Ricci Olathe Northwest High School
2010-2011 Barb Stowell Meadow Lane Elementary School
2010-2011 Jaimie Swindler Olathe East High School
2009-2010 Kerri Davis Mahaffie Elementary School
2009-2010 Sally DeMonbrun Prairie Center Elementary School
2009-2010 Nathan Eick Oregon Trail Junior High School
2009-2010 Mindy Fitzsimons Clearwater Creek Elementary School
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