2025-2026 Award Winners

It is an honor to nominate Miss Mackenzie Jameson for the Staff Shining Star Award. Miss Jameson brings an unmistakable positive energy to Gilles‑Sweet each day—an energy that lifts the people around her and creates a joyful, welcoming atmosphere for students and staff. Her contagious smile and upbeat presence brighten every hallway, and her genuine enthusiasm makes her a steady source of encouragement for our entire school community.

Miss Jameson consistently demonstrates an eagerness to help all students, not just those assigned to her. She steps in wherever she is needed, supports classrooms with patience and care, and builds strong, trusting relationships with students across the building. Her student‑first mindset is evident in everything she does.

This year, Miss Jameson has also excelled in her role as co‑facilitator of the Social Committee. Her creativity, organization, and collaborative spirit have strengthened staff connections and contributed to a positive, supportive culture. She brings fresh ideas, follows through with care, and ensures every event feels thoughtful and inclusive.

In addition, Miss Jameson played a key leadership role in organizing and planning the all‑school Lake Erie Crushers Reading Assembly Program. Her attention to detail, communication with staff, and ability to coordinate logistics for a school‑wide event ensured that the program was engaging, smooth, and memorable for students. Her work behind the scenes made the experience feel seamless and showcased her exceptional organizational skills.

For her positivity, her dedication to students, her leadership in staff culture, and her outstanding coordination of school‑wide initiatives, we are proud to recognize Miss Mackenzie Jameson as this month's Shining Star.

We’re proud to recognize Mary Moore as this month’s Fairview Park City Schools Staff Shining Star

Mary consistently demonstrates what it means to put students first. She approaches every interaction with compassion, ensuring that each student feels supported, valued, and understood. Her dedication to our district is evident in her daily work and in the extra steps she takes. Mrs. Moore is always willing to do whatever it takes to make sure students have what they need to succeed.

In addition to her outstanding support of students, Mary is an invaluable member of our team. She is responsive, dependable, and always ready to assist the administrative team with any needs or requests. Her positive attitude and commitment help keep our school running smoothly.

Congratulations, Mary, and thank you for the incredible impact you make every day.
 

I am pleased to nominate Colleen O'Toole for her outstanding contributions to our preschool program.  Although this is her first year assigned to the DAP program, she has consistently provided unwavering support to students and staff in previous assignments. She works effectively with students who have diverse and complex needs, demonstrating patience, compassion, and a strong commitment to their growth and development.

She is dependable and punctual, and she provides meaningful support during whole group instruction and center rotations. She is proactive in expanding her understanding of instructional strategies and techniques and applies them to enhance student learning. In addition, she brings creativity into the classroom by developing engaging art projects that are both developmentally appropriate and enjoyable for preschool students.

She is a valued member of the team who collaborates well with staff and supports instruction in a positive and effective manner. Her dedication and professionalism make her a deserving recipient for this recognition.

Mr. Krivak and Mrs. Kovi are honored to recognize and celebrate this month’s Shining Star recipient, Mrs. Colleen Petruzzi. Mrs. Petruzzi exemplifies the dedication, professionalism, and heart that define the very best of Gilles‑Sweet, and we are proud to highlight the many ways she strengthens our school community.

Mrs. Petruzzi is an exceptional educator whose impact is felt daily across her classroom, her grade‑level team, and the broader Gilles‑Sweet community. Mrs. Petruzzi brings a remarkable blend of expertise, collaboration, and genuine care that elevates the learning experience for every student she serves.

One of Mrs. Petruzzi's greatest strengths is the intentional way she gets to know her students such as their academic needs, behavioral patterns, social dynamics, and individual personalities. She invests the time to understand who they are as learners and as people, allowing her to tailor instruction, support, and encouragement in ways that help each child thrive. Her classroom is a place where students feel seen, understood, and valued.

Mrs. Petruzzi is also an outstanding collaborator. She works seamlessly with support staff, intervention specialists, and related service providers to ensure that students receive coordinated, thoughtful, and responsive support. Her communication is clear, proactive, and solutions‑oriented, and she approaches every partnership with professionalism and respect. Her willingness to share insights, problem‑solve, and align strategies makes her an invaluable member of our staff.

As a teammate, Mrs. Petruzzi is generous with her knowledge and experience. She consistently shares effective instructional practices, research‑based strategies, and practical tools that strengthen teaching and learning across the grade level. Her colleagues know they can count on her for thoughtful guidance, steady and a collaborative spirit that brings out the best in everyone.

Perhaps most importantly, Mrs. Petruzzi brings a sense of comfort, calm, and safety to every interaction, whether with students, families, or colleagues. Her presence is reassuring, her demeanor is warm, and her commitment to doing what is best for children is unwavering.

For her dedication, expertise, and the positive influence she brings to our school community each day, we are proud to recognize Mrs. Petruzzi as a Gilles‑Sweet Shining Star.

Fairview Park City Schools is proud to recognize the entire Transportation Department as our Staff Shining Star for March.

Every day, this team sets the tone for our students—providing a safe, consistent, and welcoming start and end to the school day. Their work often happens behind the scenes, but their impact is felt across the district. Whether covering routes, assisting one another, or stepping in wherever needed, the Transportation Department operates as a true team—always focused on students and always supporting each other.

That teamwork was on full display during the severe wind and rainstorm on March 13. As conditions quickly escalated—with downed trees, power lines, and rapidly changing road conditions—our transportation staff worked together seamlessly to ensure student safety. Drivers rerouted with confidence, maintained calm environments for students, and communicated effectively despite the challenges. Across the board, staff stepped up without hesitation, supporting one another and putting student and community safety first.

While March 13 highlighted their ability to respond in a crisis, what makes this team truly exceptional is that same spirit of unselfish teamwork is present every single day. Their willingness to go above and beyond for students and for each other reflects the very best of Fairview Park City Schools.

We are grateful for their dedication and proud to recognize the Transportation Department as our March Staff Shining Star.

We are proud to announce that Colin Wohlert has been named this month’s Fairview Park City Schools Staff Shining Star.

Colin serves as a dedicated cleaner at both Fairview High School and Mayer Middle School, and his impact is felt across the building every day. He is known for his strong work ethic, positive attitude, and willingness to step in wherever help is needed. Colin consistently demonstrates what it means to be a true team player.

In addition to his reliability and excellent attendance, Colin goes above and beyond to support students, staff, and the overall school environment. His commitment to keeping our schools clean and running smoothly does not go unnoticed.

Congratulations, Colin, and thank you for everything you do for our Fairview Park City Schools. 

We are proud to recognize Autumn Dunbar as our EEC Shining Star for February! 

If you have ever visited Autumn’s classroom, you know she is constantly on the move, creating centers that are fun, engaging, and definitely outside the box! You could find her class making bouncy balls or kicking a soccer ball at letter “goals”.  She has developed a wonderful rapport with her class of three and four year olds, who clearly feel comfortable, supported, and excited to learn each day.

Autumn may be one of the most patient people you will ever meet. She is always looking for ways to support her students and help them succeed, and she consistently keeps their best interests at the heart of everything she does.

We are so lucky to have Autumn at the EEC. Her energy, creativity, and dedication make her an exceptional teacher and truly deserving of being named our EEC Shining Star for February. 
 

It is our pleasure to announce Steve Ruic as this month’s Fairview Park City Schools Staff Shining Star.

Steve consistently demonstrates what it means to go above and beyond for our students. His initiative is evident in the way he anticipates needs, problem-solves proactively, and seeks out opportunities to enhance student learning experiences. He does not wait for challenges to come to him. He steps forward with thoughtful solutions and a steady commitment to doing what is best for kids.

What truly sets Steve apart is his exceptional attention to detail. Whether planning instruction, supporting individual student needs, or collaborating with colleagues, he approaches every task with care and precision. That level of intentionality ensures that students receive the structure, feedback, and encouragement necessary to grow academically.

Steve also embodies a willingness to take on challenges, especially when it comes to supporting students who may need extra guidance. He leans into those moments with patience and high expectations, helping students build both confidence and competence. His dedication ensures that all learners continue to make meaningful progress.

Steve, thank you for your professionalism, positivity, and unwavering focus on student growth. We are grateful to have you as part of the Fairview family and proud to recognize you as this month’s Staff Shining Star.

It is a pleasure to nominate Mrs. Pat Stadnik for our February Shining Star Award. Mrs. Stadnik is one of those rare staff members whose presence quietly strengthens the entire school community. She approaches every day with a calm, steady professionalism that creates a sense of reliability for students and staff alike. Whether she is supporting classroom routines, assisting students who need an extra moment of reassurance, or stepping in wherever help is needed, Pat brings a level of care and consistency that makes a meaningful difference.

What sets Mrs. Stadnik apart is her unwavering commitment to doing what is best for children. She notices the small things—who needs encouragement, who needs structure, who needs a gentle reminder—and she responds with patience and compassion. Her ability to build trust with students is remarkable; they know she believes in them, and that belief helps them rise to expectations. Mrs. Stadnik's interactions are grounded in respect, kindness, and a genuine desire to help students feel successful.

Mrs. Stadnik is also a valued partner to her colleagues. She communicates clearly, supports classroom expectations, and contributes to a positive, solutions‑oriented environment. Her willingness to collaborate, adapt, and step in without hesitation reflects her deep dedication to Gilles-Sweet Elementary. She is dependable, thoughtful, and always focused on what will best support students and teachers.

For her steady leadership, her heart for children, and the countless ways she strengthens our school community each day, we are proud to recognize Mrs. Pat Stadnik as our February Shining Star.

On behalf of the Treasurer's Office of Fairview Park City Schools, it is our pleasure to nominate Jen Dahler, Payroll and Benefits Coordinator, as a Staff Shining Star. Jen consistently demonstrates professionalism, dedication, and reliability in a role that is essential to the daily operations of the district.

One of the busiest times of year for Jen occurs during the Thanksgiving, Christmas and New Year’s holiday season, yet she continues to go above and beyond while many are away. During this time, Jen expertly manages audit requests, operates the district’s open enrollment window, implements new employee benefit offerings such as the eye insurance plan, and ensures the accurate and timely processing of W-2s. All of these projects are in addition to her continuing to pay everyone on time and accurately. These responsibilities require exceptional attention to detail, organization, and trust, all of which Jen handles with calm confidence and a positive attitude.

Jen’s work often happens behind the scenes, but its impact is felt by every employee in the district. Her commitment to accuracy, responsiveness, and service makes Fairview Park City Schools a better place to work. Congratulations, Jen, and thank you for all you do.

Today, we have the privilege of recognizing one of our Shining Star Teachers, Miss Eppler.  Miss Eppler is an educator who embodies the heart, dedication, and spirit of Gilles‑Sweet Elementary. This recognition is not just about a single moment of excellence, but about the consistent, everyday actions that make our school a place where students feel safe, supported, and inspired.

Miss Eppler approaches each day with a sense of purpose and positivity. She builds strong relationships with students, families, and colleagues. She models patience, creativity, and professionalism, even on the busiest days. And most importantly, Miss Eppler creates a classroom environment where every child feels seen, valued, loved and capable of success.

What makes Miss Eppler truly shine is not just what she does, but how she does it—with warmth, humility, and a genuine belief in the potential of every student who walks through her classroom door. She goes above and beyond not for recognition, but because Miss Eppler cares deeply about our students and Gilles-Sweet school community.

Today, we celebrate Miss Eppler’s commitment, her passion, and the countless ways she makes Gilles‑Sweet a better place. On behalf of our entire school, thank you Miss Eppler for the difference you make each and every day. You are a shining example of what it means to be an educator, and we are grateful to have you as part of the Gilles-Sweet family.

Congratulations to our Shining Star Teacher. Your light truly makes our school brighter.

Today we celebrate Mrs. Kathleen Kramme as our latest Fairview Park Staff Shining Star Award honoree.

Kathleen consistently demonstrates exceptional dedication to our school community. Her attention to detail, strong work ethic, and willingness to go above and beyond make a noticeable impact each day. Most recently, Kathleen stepped up to support the building by taking on additional responsibilities while the district worked to fill a similar position—doing so with professionalism, positivity, and pride.

Kathleen is not only dependable, but also personable, caring, and deeply committed to maintaining a welcoming environment for our students, staff, and families. We are grateful for her teamwork and the pride she brings to her work.

Congratulations, Kathleen, and thank you for everything you do. 
 

Chrissy Dranuski is our November Gilles-Sweet Shining Star, and we couldn’t be more grateful to celebrate her. Chrissy is an invaluable member of our team—someone who consistently goes above and beyond with a joyful spirit that lifts everyone around her.

She wears many hats throughout the day, and she approaches every role with enthusiasm and a genuine smile. Whether she’s supporting technology, working in the library, helping students cash in their Warrior PRIDE tickets, or supervising students, we always know that if Chrissy is involved, the job will be done with care, efficiency, and warmth.

Her positive energy is contagious, and it’s the very first thing people mention when they describe Chrissy. She brings light, kindness, and reliability to every corner of our school.

We are incredibly thankful to have Chrissy as part of our team. Congratulations, Chrissy—your hard work and heart make Gilles-Sweet a better place every single day.

We are proud to announce that Erin Frank has been selected as the newest recipient of the Fairview Park City Schools Staff Shining Star Award. Erin’s work at Mayer Middle School exemplifies the compassion, creativity, and teamwork that powerfully impact our students each day.

Mrs. Frank is known for her deep compassion for students. She takes the time to listen, understand their needs, and support them through both academic and personal challenges. Her caring approach helps students feel valued, respected, and confident in their ability to succeed.

Her creativity shines through in the engaging learning experiences and solutions she brings to the classroom and to collaborative teams. Erin consistently finds innovative ways to connect students with the content, helping them stay motivated and excited about learning.

As a true team player, Mrs. Frank strengthens the entire school community. She collaborates seamlessly with colleagues, contributes thoughtful ideas, and steps in wherever support is needed. Her positive attitude and dedication help create an environment where both staff and students can flourish.

Erin’s commitment to building strong relationships, fostering student growth, and supporting her colleagues reflects the very best of Fairview Park City Schools. We are grateful for her contributions and thrilled to celebrate her as a Shining Star.

Congratulations, Erin!

I am recommending Megan Frenz for the Shining Star Award.   She has exceptional dedication and expertise as a Preschool Intervention Specialist.  She consistently demonstrates an ability to meet the complex needs of our most intensive young learners, by providing individualized support with patience, creativity, and professional insight.

Ms. Frenz builds relationships with students while implementing effective intervention strategies that improve communication, engagement, and school readiness. Her calm, proactive approach ensures that even the most challenging behavior situations are met with thoughtful planning and compassion.  She effectively navigates and de-escalates disruptive behaviors with skill, and consistency, creating a safe and structured learning environment where all students can succeed.  She utilizes proactive behavior strategies, clear expectations, and developmentally appropriate supports that help students regulate, participate, and grow.  She collaborates with families and team members,  to create a supportive environment in which every child can thrive.  She is always willing to go above and beyond expectation to improve learning outcomes.

Ms. Frenz’s commitment, warmth, and unwavering belief in preschool students make her an advocate for all of the children at the Early Education Center.   She exhibits excellence in early childhood intervention.

This month, we are thrilled to recognize Anne Howe as our Shining Star! Anne exemplifies commitment, organization and creativity in her work. Each year, she takes on the tremendous task of organizing and coordinating field trips for every grade level to Playhouse Square, a project that requires extraordinary attention to detail. From arranging dates with Playhouse Square and coordinating with each grade-level team to selecting engaging shows for each age group, managing lunch schedules, bussing logistics, and purchase orders, Anne handles it all with remarkable precision and color-coordinated planning that would make even the most seasoned event planner proud!

Beyond her field trip coordination, Anne also plans our 2nd and 3rd grade concerts, bringing joy and pride to students, families, and staff alike through her passion for student concerts. In addition, she serves as a building union representative, advocating for her colleagues with  care.

Anne’s commitment, organization, and positive spirit make a lasting impact on our school community. We are so grateful for all she does to create meaningful experiences for students and to support her peers. Congratulations, Anne,  you truly are a Shining Star! 

This month, we’re thrilled to recognize Becky Magda as our Shining Star! Becky took the initiative, once she gained access to our online curriculum and lesson planning templates, teaching herself how to navigate it, and then going above and beyond to help her coworkers learn to use the templates. She’s a quiet yet steady presence at the EEC.

She is always looking for ways to lend a hand, whether it’s helping organize and set up the EEC library, riding along on the bus with our afterschool students, or offering support to both new and veteran teachers. Her kindness, teamwork, and willingness to help wherever needed makes her truly special. We are so lucky to have Miss Becky at the EEC!

Congratulations!
 

This month, we are proud to recognize Frank Kun as our Staff Shining Star.

Frank is a dedicated and hardworking member of our team who approaches every task with a positive attitude and a smile. His expertise as a painter and cleaner helps keep our schools looking their best, and his creativity shines through as he brings his own ideas to make our buildings even more beautiful.

Thank you, Frank, for your pride, craftsmanship, and commitment to making Fairview Park City Schools a better place for everyone!

Mrs. Gefell has been selected as this month’s Fairview Park City Schools’ Staff Shining Star Award winner! This award is given to staff members who go above and beyond for their students, and Mrs. Gefell is a perfect example of that.

This year, she has taken on many new challenges, including teaching a combined schedule of both middle school and high school math courses. Even with this big responsibility, Mrs. Gefell has worked closely with the school administration to learn new resources, always looking for ways to make her teaching stronger. She has also put in a lot of extra time and effort to make sure she is as prepared as possible—because she always puts her students first.

We are proud to recognize Mrs. Gefell today, and we want to thank her for her hard work, dedication, and commitment to helping all students succeed. Please join me in giving her a big round of applause!

We are thrilled to recognize Brent Myers as our Shining Star! Since joining Gilles-Sweet Elementary, Brent has truly made our building shine—literally and figuratively—even brighter than the star he is receiving.

Brent has been proactive in identifying areas of need throughout the building, often catching issues before they become problems. He works closely with Matt and Shanna to problem-solve and develop solutions that keep our school running smoothly. His quick response and commitment to ensuring the building is safe and secure give all of us peace of mind.

In addition to his behind-the-scenes work, Brent is a visible and active presence throughout the day. He engages with both students and staff during all lunch periods, addressing issues as they arise with patience and care. One of his recent successes—getting the cafeteria lighting system up and running—has made a noticeable impact and reflects the pride he takes in his work.

We are so lucky to have Brent as part of the Gilles-Sweet team. His dedication, problem-solving, and student-centered approach make him a true shining star in our school community.

Fairview Park City Schools is proud to recognize Glenn Stiebeling, Transportation Department, as our September Staff Shining Star.

Glenn has been a bus driver in our district for just one year, but in that short time he has already made a lasting impact. Known for his unselfish spirit and willingness to help, Glenn consistently goes above and beyond to support his colleagues and our students.

On several occasions, Glenn has come to the rescue of buses experiencing mechanical failures—including stepping in on weekends and even in the middle of the day on a Saturday. His dependability, teamwork, and positive attitude ensure that our transportation runs smoothly and safely.

We are grateful for Glenn’s dedication and proud to honor him as a shining example of the commitment and care that make Fairview Park City Schools a great place for students and staff.