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Melynda Kaifes honored with Making a Difference Award
From left: USD 232 SPED Director, Lee Hanson; USD 232 Superintendent Frank Harwood; USD232EF Making a Difference winner Melynda Kaifes; Great American Bank Senior Vice President Matthew Little. USD232EF President Rachele Zade; USD232EF Board Member Roger Templin.
March 27, 2023
Congratulations to Mrs. Melynda Kaifes for being recognized as the USD 232 Making a Difference Award winner for February 2023. Melynda currently serves as the Special Services Instructional Specialist for the school district. Dr. Frank Harwood, Superintendent of USD 232, presented this award to her on Monday, March 27 on behalf of the school district and the USD 232 Education Foundation.
Melynda is a De Soto High School alumni who has over 31 years in education – 16 of those years at USD 232. During her time in the district, she has served in multiple roles in the Special Education department including Resource Teacher, Instructional Facilitator, Transition Specialist and Extended School Year Coordinator. With her impact being so wide-spread throughout the district, she received multiple nominations for the Making a Difference Award:
“Melynda goes above and beyond to help teachers. She has sat with me numerous times for hours on end as I learn and implement new curriculum and programs without complaint. She is always available to help and brings creative ideas to the table. She is one of the few that will jump in and help by working directly with students to demonstrate what needs to be done or how to implement a strategy. She is a constant encouragement and brings positive energy to every classroom that she is in.”
Melynda Kaifes earned her Bachelor’s degree in Elementary Education and Special Education from Emporia State and her Master’s degree in Special Education from MidAmerica Nazarene University. During her time at USD 232, she has been involved with many special education initiatives, overseen multiple trainings for special education staff and has served as a new teacher mentor for numerous staff members:
“Melynda is the most passionate educator I have had the pleasure of knowing, she is always so enthusiastic and you can tell her passion for students and educating is strong. Melynda has also personally helped me become a more confident first year teacher by her compassion and endless effort to teach me how to be successful in my classroom.”
As part of the Making a Difference Award, Melynda was presented check for $250 from the USD 232 Education Foundation and a Making a Difference Award trophy, designed and constructed by CAPS students at the Cedar Trails Exploration Center. This monthly award is sponsored by Great American Bank in De Soto and celebrates the exceptional teachers and staff in our district who are truly “making a difference in the lives of young people.”
The USD 232 Education Foundation is currently accepting nominations for the Making a Difference Award for the month of March. All submissions for this month are due Friday, March 31. Nominations for this award for ANY USD 232 Staff member are accepted and reviewed each month.