The USD 232 Making a Difference Award celebrates exceptional teachers and staff in our district.  The USD 232 Education Foundation, in partnership with Great American Bank, wants to honor and recognize those who are truly “making a difference in the lives of young people” and continually exceed job expectations for the students, families, and other employees in our district.

Award Criteria

• Anyone in USD 232 (staff, parents, students, etc.) can nominate any USD 232 employee. All teachers, support staff, custodians, administrators, secretaries, counselors, food service workers are eligible to receive this award. (Previous Making a Difference Winners ineligible)
• Nominations are considered on a monthly basis and are due by the last day of each month
• Recognitions will be given monthly throughout the school year
• Each recipient of this award will be presented a check for $250 along with a special trophy designed and manufactured by our high school students in the engineering program
• This award is sponsored by the USD 232 Education Foundation and Great American Bank

Nominations for our next honoree are due at the end of each month. Please complete this form for ANY USD 232 staff member that has made a difference in your life. We review new nominations monthly so folks can and should submit a form monthly basis for their deserving nominee.

Making a Difference Nomination Form

From left: LTMS Principal Clark McCracken, USD232EF BOE Representative Rachele Zade; USD232EF Making a Difference honoree Susan Slater; USD 232 Superintendent Frank Harwood; and Great American Bank Vice President Shelby Lathrom

From left: USD232EF President Norm Messner; USD 232 Superintendent Frank Harwood; USD232EF Executive Director Casey Rooman Smith; USD232EF Making a Difference honoree Alana Avery

Pictured from left: MCMS Principal Josh Kindler; Making a Difference Honoree Quin Showalter; Superintendent Frank Harwood, and Executive Director of the USD 232 Education Foundation, Casey Rooman Smith.   Also present via Zoom: Vice President at Great Amercian Bank Shelby Lathrom;  USD Board of Education Vice President and USD 232 Education Foundation BOE Representative Rachele Zade; USD 232 Education Foundation Treasurer, Roxanne Wise and parent nominator, Dee Davis.

Pictured from left: Principal Beth Mildren; President of the USD 232 Education Foundation, Tina Dinkel; Executive Director of the USD 232 Education Foundation, Casey Rooman Smith; Making a Difference Honoree Jillian Harris; Superintendent Frank Harwood, and Vice President at Great Amercian Bank Shelby Lathrom. Also present via Zoom (phone) was USD Board of Education Vice President and USD 232 Education Foundation BOE Representative Rachele Zade.

From left: Superintendent Frank Harwood, Making a Difference Honoree Suzanne Rachwal and Executive Director of the USD 232 Education Foundation, Casey Rooman Smith  

From left: Superintendent Frank Harwood, Casey Rooman Smith Executive Director of the USD 232 Education Foundation, Making a Difference Honoree Warren Wingo, Starside Elementary Principal Kris Meyer. Also present via Zoom:  Vice President of the USD 232 Education Foundation Norm Messner, Treasurer of the USD 232 Education Foundation Roxanne Wise, USD Board of Education Vice President and USD 232 Education Foundation BOE Representative Rachele Zade, USD 232 Education Foundation Board Member Susan Mohn, Carrie Handy USD 232 Human Resource Director - Elementary and Cheree Tyner  parent nominator

 
From top left: Kelly Robinson, MTMS School Improvement Specialist; Casey Rooman Smith, USD232EF Executive Director; Nancy Griego, MTMS 6th Grade Pathways; Kendra Preston, MTMS 6th Grade ELA; Sarah Morris, MTMS 6th Grade Science; Melissa Hansen, MTMS Principal; Danielle Krumme, MTMS 6th Grade Math; Rachele Zade, USD 232 BOE Vice-President and USD232EF Board Member; Cara Olson, MTMS Counselor; Shelby Lathrom, Great American Bank Vice-President; Dave Anderson, MTMS Counselor; Alvie Cater, USD 232 Asst. Superintendent and USD232EF Board Member; Carrie Handy, USD 232 Human Resource Director Elementary; Bryan LeBar, MTMS Vice-Principal; Brian Schwanz, USD 232 Human Resource Director Secondary; Dr. Frank Harwood; USD 232 Superintendent

Ben Stamey, computer graphics and marketing teacher at De Soto High School was presented the Making a Difference Award at DHS on Dec. 17. Pictured from left: Principal Sam Ruff, Asst. Superintendent and USD 232 Education Foundation Board Member Alvie Cater, Making a Difference honoree Ben Stamey, Superintendent Frank Harwood and Casey Rooman Smith Executive Director of the USD 232 Education Foundation. Also present via Zoom (laptop screen) were Vice President at Great Amercian Bank Shelby Lathrom, parent nominator Channing Sheppard, Vice President of the USD 232 Education Foundation Norm Messner, Treasurer of the USD 232 Education Foundation Roxanne Wise and USD Board of Education Vice President and USD 232 Education Foundation BOE Representative Rachele Zade

Laura Millikan, 5th Grade teacher at Clear Creek Elementary School, is pictured top right hand corner. She was greeted by Superintendent Frank Harwood (bottom right), Carrie Handy, Director of HR - Elementary Personnel, Clear Creek Principal Kelley Begley McCall (top left), and Casey Rooman Smith (top center), Executive Director of the USD 232 Education Foundation.