Aberdeen Teacher and Classified Employee of the Year named

The Aberdeen School District honored employees on Monday night, nominating two of them for state recognition.

In a statement from the district, they announced that English teacher and leadership adviser at Aberdeen High School Ashley Kohlmeier was named as the Aberdeen School District Teacher of the Year, while longtime bus driver Angie Ashe is their Classified Employee of the Year.

The awards were announced at the annual employee recognition dinner Monday, June 3, at Aberdeen High School, honoring the work of employees nominated by each school and department.

Kohlmeier has been with the District since 2013, according to the release, and they state that there were numerous stories detailing the impact she has had in the classroom and throughout the halls of AHS.

Ashe has been a bus driver for the District for 27 years, as well as providing office support in the Transportation Department.

Aberdeen High School Principal Sherri Northington spoke to Kohlmeier’s work in the classroom and as a role model for students;

Ashley is a go-getter and supportive of doing good things for AHS,” Ms. Northington said. “Bobcat Pride is 365, 24/7 for Ashley and this describes the mentality she brings to her student leaders.”

In addition to her classes, Kohlmeier also advised the Renaissance Action Team and is currently the ASB adviser and “AVID teacher extraordinaire,” the principal said. She also coaches girls’ tennis, organizes pep assemblies with the ASB and is active in professional activities with fellow AHS teachers, such as playing a leadership role in development of positive behavior supports for students (PBIS).

It also was noted by Northington that Aberdeen has “won” Foodball ever since she became a leadership adviser three years ago.

Ms. Kohlmeier’s selection as the ASD5 Teacher of the Year means she is also the district’s nominee for state teacher of the year.

In the release it quotes Transportation Manager Ernie Lott, who said that Ashe has been driving a school bus so long that she transported many of the parents of her current students. He said that in all that time, Ashe “has maintained a work ethic of 100 percent”;

“Students have respect for her,” he said. “She is very professional in how she manages them and how she interacts with staff and parents. She is known to go the extra mile to help others.”

During her career, Ashe received a three-year Transportation Management course at Central Washington University and she is a registered school bus driver trainer.

Ashe’s selection also will place her for state honors, representing ASD5 for state Classified Employee of the Year.

2018 honoree from the district, Gayle Capsel, was a state finalist.

Additional Nominees:

• A.J. West Elementary School: Kelly Stewart, 6 th Grade teacher and coach, and Jasmine Gilmore, a para-educator.
• Central Park Elementary School: Jordon Beeman, 2nd Grade teacher and Kelly Bielec, the school’s Learning Resource Center technician.
• McDermoth Elementary School: Janie Talevich, 3 rd Grade teacher, and Virginia Barragan, a para-educator.
• Robert Gray Elementary School: Debra Olson-Rios, Kindergarten teacher, and Sarah Pendergrass, a para-educator.
• Stevens Elementary School: Ryan Sturm, 1 st Grade teacher, and Breanna Gentry, a para-educator and coach.
• Miller Junior High School: Matt Harless, social studies teacher and coach, and Eli Lugo, a para-educator.
• Aberdeen High School: Ms. Kohlmeier and Mary Clinton, a para-educator.
• Hopkins Building: Cyndy Mitby, the district’s preschool coordinator, Patti Jones, a para-educator for Harbor High School/Snug Harbor.
• Food Service: Patty Barber, head cook at Robert Gray Elementary School.
• Support Services: Doris Daly, administrative assistant in the Business Office.
• Maintenance Department: Robert Parson, custodian for the District Office and Central Park Elementary School.

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