Eugene School District 4J

CONGRATULATIONS TO THE NOMINEES!

It's time for the 2025 Golden Apple Awards, 4J's annual employee and volunteer recognition program. The program celebrates the outstanding contributions of the district's educators and volunteers.

A bushel of 272 outstanding employees and volunteers have been nominated by parents, students and colleagues for a 2025 Golden Apple Award. Winners among the nominees will be selected in four categories: Teachers & Licensed Specialist; Classified Staff; Administrator, Supervisors & Professional; and Volunteer. Three additional honors will also be given: the Lifetime Achievement Award; the Apple Seed Award, which recognizes an educator excelling in their early career; and the Spotlight Award, which celebrates an individual or team that embodies 4J’s spirit of kindness, service and teamwork.

* indicates also nominated for Apple Seed Award, which honors a 4J employee in the first three years of their career.
^ indicates also nominated for Lifetime Achievement Award, which honors a 4J employee at or nearing retirement.

JOIN US! Golden Apple Awards
Tuesday, May 6, 5 p.m. Appetizers and music starting at 5 p.m, ceremony at 6 p.m.
North Eugene High School, 250 Silver Lane

Let’s celebrate together on May 6 to honor the dedication and achievements of our incredible team members!

Without further ado, here's this year's Golden Apple Award nominees …

- Cherie Aaron, Kindergarten Teacher, Gilham Elementary School
- Rose Abbey, Title I & Social Studies Teacher, Arts & Technology Academy
- David Adee^, Music Teacher, River Road/El Camino del Río Elementary School
- Russell Arkin, Math Teacher, Roosevelt Middle School
- Rhian Arp, Fifth Grade Teacher, Edgewood Elementary School
- Todd Aydelott, Fourth / Fifth Grade Teacher, Family School
- Aline Baissac, Instructional Coach, River Road/El Camino del Río Elementary School
- Lee Baker, Counselor, Roosevelt Middle School
- Carrie Balavender, Fifth Grade Teacher, Willagillespie Elementary School
- Brittany Beebe, Ninth Grade Transition Coordinator, South Eugene High School
- Jenny Bemiller*, First Grade Teacher, Holt Elementary School
- Madison Billings, Language Arts Teacher, South Eugene High School
- Jodi Black, Kindergarten Teacher, Gilham Elementary School
- Korrine Bohlman, Fourth Grade Teacher, Twin Oaks Elementary School
- Frances Bonner*, Art Teacher, Kelly Middle School
- Talia Bowman, Fifth Grade Teacher, Edison Elementary School
- Carissa Boyce, Title I Coordinator, Awbrey Park Elementary School
- Ingrid Brandt, Second Grade Teacher, Buena Vista Spanish Immersion Elementary School
- Paul Brisentine, Math Teacher, Roosevelt Middle School
- Gail Brooks, Special Education Teacher, Fox Hollow Campus
- Lupe Callihan, Title I Coordinator, River Road/El Camino del Río Elementary School
- Rachel Cannon, Special Education Teacher, Monroe Middle School
- Sebastian Catlin, Student Achievement Specialist, South Eugene High School
- Alicia Chamness, Health & PE Teacher, Roosevelt Middle School
- Meredith Coelho,Teacher/Librarian, Roosevelt Middle School
- Timothy Coleman, Counselor, Arts & Technology Academy
- Ian Connelly, Second Grade Teacher, River Road/El Camino del Río Elementary School
- Sara Connors, Elective Teacher, Cal Young Middle School
- Tom Cramer, Music Teacher, Camas Ridge Community School
- Katie Crown, First Grade Teacher, Howard Elementary School
- Daniela Dey, Spanish Teacher, South Eugene High School
- Kwasi Diehl, Special Education Teacher, Madison Middle School
- Josh Dillow, Music Teacher, Monroe Middle School
- Alison Dodd, Language Arts Teacher, South Eugene High School
- Jenny Downes, Registered Nurse, Student Health Services
- Carmen Duato, Language Arts / Social Studies Teacher, Cal Young Middle School
- Jenna Eads, Special Education Teacher, Adams Elementary School
- Heidi Eide, First Grade Teacher, Chávez Elementary School
- Britta Ellis, Math Teacher, South Eugene High School
- Mariah Engle, Kindergarten Teacher, Chávez Elementary School
- Jason Erickson, Social Studies / AVID Teacher, Madison Middle School
- Sable Esparza Ruiz, School Psychologist, Student Services Department
- Shannon Evans, Language Arts Teacher, Monroe Middle School
- Tanner Faris, Math Teacher, Kelly Middle School
- Eric Freeman, Third Grade Teacher, Camas Ridge Community School
- Erin Fuller, Kindergarten Teacher, Adams Elementary School
- Aidan Fulton, Social Studies Teacher, Roosevelt Middle School
- Ayhana Gaines, Counselor, Adams Elementary School
- Carolina Garcia Ramirez, Third Grade Teacher, River Road/El Camino del Río Elementary School
- Kristen Gianforti, Student Success Coordinator, Awbrey Park Elementary School
- Jennifer Gonzales, Special Education Teacher, Edison Elementary School
- Laura Griffin, Special Education Teacher, Student Services Department
- Sienna Griggs, Library / Media Specialist, Howard Elementary School
- Ryan Hansen, Science Teacher, Kennedy Middle School
- Laura Harris, Student Success Coordinator, Edison Elementary School
- Crista Harter, Instructional Coach, Adams Elementary School
- Michael Hatch, Second Grade Teacher, Camas Ridge Community School
- Megan Henning, Kindergarten Teacher, Buena Vista Spanish Immersion Elementary School
- Christine Hinrichs, Music Teacher, Edison Elementary School
- Ryan Hintz, Physical Education & Health Teacher, Arts & Technology Academy
- Christie Hoogendoorn, Health/Academics Unlimited/Sources of Strength Teacher, South Eugene High School
- Max Irving, Special Education Teacher / Unified Sports Coordinator, North Eugene High School
- Keyshawn Jackson*, Fifth Grade Teacher, Adams Elementary School
- Eric Johannsen, Health & Physical Education Teacher, Cal Young Middle School
- Elizabeth Johnson, Counselor, Monroe Middle School
- Ingrid Johnson, First Grade Teacher, River Road/El Camino del Río Elementary School
- Kathryn Johnson, Life Skills Consultant, Student Services Department
- Stephen Johnson, Music Teacher, Buena Vista Spanish Immersion Elementary School
- Nicole Kerins, Second Grade Teacher, Howard Elementary School
- Halie Kestermann, Speech Language Pathologist, Student Services Department
- Jeffrey King, Fourth Grade Teacher, McCornack Elementary School
- Scott Klein, Counselor, Yujin Gakuen Japanese Immersion Elementary School
- Heather Kliever, Language Arts Teacher, Madison Middle School
- Kim Konevich, Special Educator Teacher, Chávez Elementary School
- Allison Kreider, Third Grade Teacher, Howard Elementary School
- Joel Kuiper, Special Education Teacher, South Eugene High School
- Sarah Lacey, Title I Coordinator/Instructional Coach, Edison Elementary School
- Justine Lee*, Preschool Promise Teacher, Howard Elementary School
- Windy Leona, Kindergarten Teacher, River Road/El Camino del Río Elementary School
- Michael Lewis, Special Education Teacher, Arts & Technology Academy
- Hilary Lindsey, First Grade Teacher, Edgewood Elementary School
- Kenny Long, Special Education Teacher, Howard Elementary School
- Connor Mann, Student Success Coordinator, Edgewood Elementary School
- Tyler Martell, Math Teacher, Sheldon High School
- Davina Mattox, French Immersion Teacher, Roosevelt Middle School
- Maricarmen McFadden, First Grade Teacher, River Road/El Camino del Río Elementary School
- Juli McGlinsky^, Counselor, South Eugene High School
- Lauren McNamara*, Social Studies Teacher, Monroe Middle School
- Grace Mehlhaff, Fourth Grade Teacher, Buena Vista Spanish Immersion Elementary School
- Alma Mendoza, Counselor, Roosevelt Middle School
- Brady Metzger, Science Teacher, Kennedy Middle School
- Chris Michael, Science Teacher, Arts & Technology Academy
- Christal Miller, Fourth Grade Teacher, Buena Vista Spanish Immersion Elementary School
- Jason Miller, Social Studies Teacher, Madison Middle School
- Regina Mitchell, Language Arts Teacher, Arts & Technology Academy
- Esther Moen, Counselor, Camas Ridge Elementary School
- Kelsey Moore, Fourth Grade Teacher, Edgewood Elementary School
- Trieva Morgan, Special Education Teacher, Willagillespie Elementary School
- Toni Mucker, Instructional Coach, Edgewood Elementary School
- Melissa Nixon, Music Teacher, Edgewood Elementary School
- Amy Page, District Librarian, Technology Department
- Ellie Pascoe-Long*, Kindergarten Teacher, Edison Elementary School
- Niels Pasternak, Autism Consultant, Student Services Department
- Megan Perdue, Music Teacher / K-12 Music TOSA, Sheldon High School
- Amy Petty, Third Grade Teacher, Edgewood Elementary School
- Lisa Phillips, Special Education Teacher, Willagillespie Elementary School
- Ann Piazza, Second Grade Teacher, Adams Elementary School
- Scott Pierce, Counselor, Family School
- Erin Piper, Third Grade Teacher, River Road/El Camino del Río Elementary School
- Priscilla Piper, First Grade Teacher, Edison Elementary School
- Erin Prescott, Second Grade Teacher, Edgewood Elementary School
- Fajhr Qureshi, Speech-Language Pathologist, Student Services Department
- Natalie Reed, Kindergarten Teacher, River Road/El Camino del Río Elementary School
- Tracy Reed, Kindergarten Teacher, Chávez Elementary School
- Lauren Reed Febus, Instructional Coach, Twin Oaks Elementary School
- Lily of the Valley Ritchie, Special Education Teacher, Kennedy Middle School
- Lisa Robbins, Second Grade Teacher, Willagillespie Elementary School
- Haruka Sakurai, Japanese Teacher, South Eugene High School
- Nancy Schaal-McHarry, English Language Learner Specialist, River Road/El Camino del Río Elementary School
- Sarah Scholten, Special Education Teacher, Edgewood Elementary School
- Jesse Scott, Social Studies Teacher, Spencer Butte Middle School
- Alexis Screen, Fifth Grade Teacher, River Road/El Camino del Río Elementary School
- Mike Seager, Special Education Teacher, Roosevelt Middle School
- Ashley Shofner, Third Grade Teacher, Awbrey Park Elementary School
- Steve Shults, Special Education Teacher, Spencer Butte Middle School
- Ashlee Shupe, Physical Therapist, Student Services Department
- Erin Skoubo, Third Grade Teacher, River Road/El Camino del Río Elementary School
- Jennifer Slater, Special Education Teacher, River Road/El Camino del Río Elementary School
- Cory Sorensen, Fourth Grade Teacher, Howard Elementary School
- Michael Sterling^, Social Studies Teacher, Churchill High School
- Olivia Stieber, Language Arts Teacher, Spencer Butte Middle School
- Crystal Strege, Library/Media Specialist, River Road/El Camino del Río Elementary School
- Kelly Stroh, Fifth Grade Teacher, Yujin Gakuen Japanese Immersion Elementary School
- Kim Sullivan, Special Education Teacher, Howard Elementary School
- Jamie Tait, Elementary Math Specialist, Instruction Department
- Siqin Taoli, Fourth / Fifth Grade Teacher, Chinese Immersion School
- Bren Techawongtham, Second / Third Grade Teacher, Chinese Immersion School
- Zoe Teply*, Kindergarten Teacher, River Road/El Camino del Río Elementary School
- Megan Travis, Counselor, Holt Elementary School
- Matthew Trent, Math Teacher, Monroe Middle School
- Dani Tubman, Science Teacher, South Eugene High School
- Steven Tygart, Student Success Coordinator, South Eugene High School
- Victor Valverde*, Fourth Grade Teacher, River Road/El Camino del Río Elementary School
- Eden Van Bloem, Registered Nurse, Student Health Services
- Robin Vaughan, Kindergarten Teacher, Holt Elementary School
- Julie Vignoul, Teacher Librarian, South Eugene High School
- Kate Wagoner, Third Grade Teacher, McCornack Elementary School
- Michael Washburn^, Social Studies Teacher, Sheldon High School
- Anna Wellman, Health Teacher, Monroe Middle School
- Todd Wellman*, Physical Education Teacher, Sheldon High School
- Larry Whittlesey, Math Teacher, Cal Young Middle School
- Alice Williamson, Title I Teacher, Chávez Elementary School
- Emily Wirtz, English & Language Arts Teacher, North Eugene High School
- Bree Wyatt, Student Success Coordinator, Adams Elementary School
- Richard Zapata Bello, Spanish Immersion Social Studies Teacher, International High School at Sheldon
- Annika Zeigler*, English Teacher, Churchill HIgh School
- Carla Zimmerman, Instructional Coach, Holt Elementary School
- Lynda Atto, Special Ed Educational Assistant, Howard Elementary School
- Tamara Berge, Human Services Coordinator, Howard Elementary School
- Megan Beverly, Secretary, Arts & Technology Academy
- Victoria Brooks, Special Ed Educational Assistant, Kennedy Middle School
- Tanya Bunson, Secretary, Edgewood Elementary School
- Roger Butenschoen^, Head Custodian, Twin Oaks Elementary School
- Julia Campbell, Educational Assistant, Chávez Elementary School
- Ricki Campbell-Siebers, Secretary, Edison Elementary School
- Laurie Castonguay*, Special Ed Educational Assistant, Chávez Elementary School
- Shelby Clancy, Library Specialist, Arts & Technology Academy
- Cristina Cruz Vargas, Educational Assistant, River Road/El Camino del Río Elementary School
- Ariel Davidson, Educational Assistant, Edgewood Elementary School
- Sarah Dreyer, Special Ed Educational Assistant, Willagillespie Elementary School
- Eliza Drummond, Secretary, Charlemagne French Immersion Elementary School
- Jill Duclos, Special Ed Educational Assistant, Howard Elementary School
- Jon Eggling, Special Ed Educational Assistant, Adams Elementary School
- Eric Elligott, Secretary, South Eugene High School
- Kaisa Erickson, Special Ed Educational Assistant, Spring Creek Elementary School
- Keith Fjordbeck^, Lead Custodian, Churchill High School
- Jeremy Flores, Building Behavior Support Assistant, Madison Middle School
- Laura Fuhriman, Educational Assistant, Roosevelt Middle School
- Mia Gardner, Educational Assistant, Edison Elementary School
- Angie Gee, Human Services Coordinator, Chávez Elementary School
- Nikki Gilder, Educational Assistant, North Eugene High School
- Christina Hayner, Food Service Coordinator, Nutrition Services
- Bert Herbert, Custodial Maint Coordinator I, Edgewood Elementary School
- Jenna Hoagland, Secretary, Twin Oaks Elementary School
- Tasha Iglinski, Special Ed Educational Assistant, Howard Elementary School
- Stephanie Jorgensen, Building Behavior Support Assistant, Monroe Middle School
- Kai Kelley, Special Ed Educational Assistant, Roosevelt Middle School
- Gretel Koko-Kong, Bus Driver, Transportation Department
- Jessica Kuehn*, Department Secretary, South Eugene High School
- Olivia Leal, Records & Scheduling Assistant, South Eugene High School
- Daniel Lopata, Special Ed Educational Assistant, Chávez Elementary School
- Caitlin Lyons, Educational Assistant, Gilham Elementary School
- Jennifer MacPherson, Library Specialist, Churchill High School
- Lindsay Manley, Educational Assistant, Willagillespie Elementary School
- Dan Marks, Educational Assistant, Edison Elementary School
- Alicia Martin, Educational Assistant, Sheldon high School
- Shari Martines, Special Ed Educational Assistant, Monroe Middle School
- Jeanette McCord, Building Behavior Support Assistant, Willagillespie Elementary School
- Michaela McGuire, Building Behavior Support Assistant, Edison Elementary School
- Ritchie Menjou, Food Services Coordinator, Monroe Middle School
- Victoria Miller, Secretary, Kennedy Middle School
- Stephanie Miranda, Secretary, River Road/El Camino del Río Elementary School
- Brooke Monks, Building Behavior Support Assistant, River Road/El Camino del Río Elementary School
- Sarai Morelos Morales, Educational Assistant, River Road/El Camino del Río Elementary School
- Heather Notenboom, Building Behavior Support Assistant, Howard Elementary School
- Trevor Nyce, Special Ed Educational Assistant, Camas Ridge Community School
- Jana Oimet, Education Assistant, Gilham Elementary School
- Jamie Parks, Library Manager/IMC Assistant, Monroe Middle School
- Cal Pearman^, Warehouse Operations Assistant, Warehouse Services
- Shaleem Peary, Special Ed Educational Assistant, Monroe Middle School
- Jael Perez Diaz, Bilingual Education Assistant, River Road/El Camino del Río Elementary School
- Pete Peterson, Building Behavior Support Assistant, Roosevelt Middle School
- Stephanie Plascencia, Secretary, Monroe Middle School
- Jennifer Plueard, Building Behavior Support Assistant, Cal Young Middle School
- Joyce Rivas, Special Ed Educational Assistant, Willagillespie Elementary School
- Fabi Salgado Aradillas, Secretary, Camas Ridge Community School
- Kristi Savage, Records and Scheduling Assistant, Sheldon High School
- Hollie Service, Elementary School Assistant, Gilham Elementary School
- Paula Sheridan, Van Driver, Transportation Department
- Kelly Skaja, Food Services Assistant II, Monroe Middle School
- Julie Skinner, Special Education Assistant, Monroe Middle School
- Kelsey Smigley, Building Behavior Support Assistant, Fox Hollow Campus
- Magan Smith, Special Ed Educational Assistant, Roosevelt Middle School
- Adrian Swartz, Campus Monitor, School Safety & Emergency Management Department
- Hannah Taylor, Educational Assistant, Edgewood Elementary School
- Ellyn Toneys, Educational Assistant, Chávez Elementary School
- Samantha Tosi, Department Secretary, Superintendent's Office
- Joannie Weyant, Food Service Coordinator, Willagillespie Elementary School
- Susan Wiggins, Special Ed Educational Assistant, Arts & Technology Academy
- Chance Williams*, Evening Custodian, Edgewood Elementary School
- Tiffany Wright, AV/Textbook Specialist, South Eugene High School
- Alex Zuñiga^, Bilingual Office Support, Buena Vista Spanish Immersion Elementary School
- Bob Blyth, Associate Director, Financial Services Department
- Dana Brummett, Principal, McCornack Elementary School
- Sarah “Poppy” Campbell, Principal, Charlemagne French Immersion Elementary School
- Regine Childs, Assistant Principal, Sheldon High School
- Lisa Fjordbeck, Department Operations Coordinator, Superintendent's Office
- Kevin Gordon, Principal, Chávez Elementary School
- Mark Hinthorn, Principal, Buena Vista Spanish Immersion Elementary School
- Charlie Jett, Principal, Howard Elementary School
- Casandra Kamens, Curriculum Administrator, Instruction Department
- Kyle Kordon, Assistant Principal, Arts & Technology Academy
- Tom Maloney^, Interim Principal, Arts & Technology Academy
- Sheila Minney, Principal, Willagillespie Elementary School
- Natalie Oliver, Principal, Adams Elementary School
- Brandon Parks, Assistant Principal, Cal Young Middle School
- Karen Ramirez Gutierrez, Principal, River Road/El Camino del Río Elementary School
- Stephanie Randall, Principal, Twin Oaks Elementary School
- Sun Saeteurn, Principal, Monroe Middle School
- Kris Seibel, Digital Communications Coordinator, Communications Department
- John Wayland, Principal, Kelly Middle School
- Brian Young, Principal, Cal Young Middle School
- Joey Ambrosio, Madison Middle School
- Julianna Bingaman, River Road/El Camino del Río Elementary School
- Valerie Blood, Edgewood Elementary School
- Esther Call, Chinese Immersion School
- Julie Coren, Edgewood Elementary School
- Krystal Elms, Edgewood Elementary School
- Serena Freeman, Willagillespie Elementary School
- Lauren Gazley Halas, River Road/El Camino del Río Elementary School
- Mary Guldager, Buena Vista Spanish Immersion Elementary School
- Alia Nickel, Edgewood Elementary School
- Mary Phelps, McCornack Elementary School
- Tiana Povenmire-Kirk, Arts & Technology Academy
- Abbie Stillie, Howard Elementary and Kelly Middle schools
- Tina Tague, Monroe Middle School
- Kerry Tedesco, Edgewood Elementary School
- Ayla Adkins, Kelle Bucolo, Abigail Donnelly, August Meredith, Allissa Phoenix, Asia Tong and Katrina Wadsworth, Deaf & Hard of Hearing Interpreter Team, Madison Middle School
- Jessie Alonso and Donnie Smith, 4J Catering Operations, Nutrition Services
- Leah Barrera, Hillary Galloway, Midge Greentree, Jessica Johnson, Brandy Kuykendall, Steve Korin, Carly Langford, Chai'enne Lucas, Rebecca Medley, Keri Pilgrim and Kara Whipple, New Teacher Mentor Program, Instruction Department
- Jon Blas, Carrie Coates, Josh Harvey, Glenda Hopkins, Barb Huston, Lindsey Ovens and Laurel Stark, Special Educational Assistants, Adams Elementary School
- Danielle Glenzel, Physical Education Teacher, Sheldon High School

Eugene School District 4J

High Schools

Middle Schools

Elementary Schools

Virtual Schools

Special Education

Popular Links

About

School Board

Superintendent's Office

Departments

Families

Community

Employee Relations

Teaching & Learning

Elementary Education

Library Services

Secondary Education

Special Programs

Assessment

Services

Nutrition Services

Student Well-Being

For Staff

Human Resources

Benefits

Educator Effectiveness

Educator Effectiveness Standards

Leaves of Absence

FAQ

Financial Services

Staff Risk Management

Bloodborne Pathogens

Insurance Issues

Occupational Safety and Health

Travel and Field Trips

Staff Student Services

Zimbra Migration Website

Schools

High Schools

Middle Schools

Elementary Schools

Virtual Schools

Special Education

Golden Apple Awards

CONGRATULATIONS TO THE NOMINEES!

Teacher/Licensed Specialist

Classified Staff

Administrator/Supervisor/Professional

Volunteer

Spotlight Award