Effective Employees

Lawrence Public Schools bids a fond farewell to six administrators this year with appreciation for their years of dedication, commitment, and service to our schools. • David Cunningham, executive director of human resources and chief legal counsel, 14 years • Tony Barron, executive director of facilities and operations, 7.5 years • Darcy Kraus, director of elementary schools, 8 years • Shannon Harrelson, Prairie Park Elementary principal, 2 years • Dr. Cynthia Johnson, Lawrence High interim principal, 2 years • Dr. Anna Stubble eld, deputy superintendent, 13 years

The district welcomes new leadership and congratulates administrators in new positions. • Human Resources Director Samrie Devin, now executive director of human resources • Dr. Larry Englebrick, executive director of facilities and operations • Southwest MS Principal Kristen Ryan, now director of elementary schools • Kennedy Elementary Principal Chalita

Middleton, now Prairie Park principal • Jessica Bassett, Lawrence High principal • Billy Mills MS Assistant Principal/Athletic

Director Dr. Carissa Miles, now Southwest MS principal

Substitute Teacher Awards

Substitute teaching can be a dif cult assignment without the added challenges of a pandemic. The district appreciates all of its substitute teachers for being ready, willing, and able to jump in when needed and support the continuation of student learning and success. Congratulations to Morgan Hunter Education District Substitute Teacher of the Year Mike Nevels, New York Elementary; and to each of the 2020-2021 Building Substitute Teachers of the Year: Pam Mitchell, Broken Arrow; Mary Barke, Cordley; Barb Dreger, Deer eld; Kim Krannawitter, Hillcrest; Anna Davies, Early Childhood; Lauren Jennings, Kennedy; Staci Prawl, Langston Hughes; Eileen Phelps, Pinckney; Lori Kemme, Prairie Park; Amy Stramberg, Quail Run; Jessica Walker, Schwegler; Sean Kellerman, Sun ower; Paulette Breithaupt, Sunset Hill; Erin Wood, Woodlawn; Karen Crowe, Billy Mills MS; Adam Hegemann, Liberty Memorial Central MS; Will Fernandez, Southwest MS; Henry Johns, West MS; Dana Tieperman, Free State HS; Linda Zohner, Lawrence HS; and Tim Cragg, Lawrence College & Career Center.

State Honors Lawrence Educator

During its virtual Region 2 Kansas Teacher of the Year ceremony, the Kansas State Department of Education recognized Shari Flakus, Billy Mills Middle School AVID teacher, as a semi nalist in the statewide program. Lawrence’s 2020 Lawrence Secondary Teacher of the Year, Flakus will complete her 25th year serving students in the district in June.

Classifi ed Staff Recognition

Colleagues say that Emily Cates is the “hardest working secretary in high school athletics” and “the heartbeat of the athletic department” at Lawrence High. The superintendent recognized Cates’ outstanding service with a Class Act Award. Coaches praised Cates’ organization and communication skills, kindness, and generosity. “Emily is the glue that holds the athletic department together,” wrote nominators. Truity Credit Union presented Cates with $400.

Payroll and Bene ts Coordinator John Hays also earned a Class Act Award. It honors outstanding classi ed staff for fostering cooperation and open communication, working as an effective team member, successfully accomplishing professional tasks and goals, promoting trust and respect, and demonstrating leadership, accountability, a positive attitude, and a strong work ethic.

His nomination read that John is, without a doubt, one of the biggest professional assets to the district. “We are lucky to have such an experienced person working on our team. John dedicates himself to his work wholeheartedly, and his attention to detail makes him exceptional.” According to his nomination, John has been in the of ce day in and day out during the hardest times of the pandemic, making payroll seamless for employees.

LHS Athletic Director Nick Wood congratulates Cates.

Tim Mock, Truity Credit Union business development offi cer, presents Hays with $400.

Horizon Awards Celebrate Promise

Superintendent Dr. Anthony Lewis presented Lawrence Horizon Awards to Alexandra Smith, a Quail Run Elementary teacher in the school’s specialized Autism program, and Allyson Gilmore, a Free State High agriculture education teacher. The awards honor exemplary novice educators in their second year of teaching. Truity Credit Union supports the district’s staff recognition program and presented $250 to each educator.

ALEX SMITH

“Alex is extremely dedicated to going above and beyond for her students. She received dozens of donations this year, as well as district resources to provide at-home kits for her students. The kits were amazing and all included personal items for students to be successful from home,” said James Polk, principal. “Alex is dedicated to doing whatever is necessary for her students and her team to be successful. She is a tremendous team player and is highly respected by all.”

Smith earned her bachelor’s degree at KU and master’s at Rockhurst College.

“Alex advocates for her students and is the voice for them to ensure they are considered for inclusion. She works well with her families and is always looking for ways to improve on her practice. It’s teachers like Alex who make me proud to say that I was a teacher,” said Elaina Honas, special education coordinator.

ALLYSON GILMORE

A graduate of K-State University, Gilmore teaches career and technical education classes, including Animal and Plant Science, Veterinary Science, and Floriculture and Greenhouse Management.

“Mrs. Gilmore has created a culture for learning in her classroom and has set high expectations. Students know the work is important and act accordingly. They also take pride in doing well, which is evident from the questions they ask in class as well as their attentiveness to the tasks at hand,” said Amy McAnarney, associate principal.

“She really pumps up her students… This encouragement and praise makes for a healthy classroom environment, and students know Mrs. Gilmore truly cares for them as a student and as a person and will go out of her way to help them,” McAnarney said.

KSDE honored Gilmore as a Kansas Horizon Award winner.

District Honors Lawrence High Educator as 2020-2021 Master Teacher

After collaborating on a nomination campaign, staff and students past and present gathered in the LHS media commons to surprise Barbara Tholen, the 2020-2021 Lawrence Master Teacher, in front of her family. Tim Mock, Truity Credit Union’s business development officer, presented her with $2,500. “When I look back at my time in high school, I don’t remember many of the things I did, but I will always remember Barb and her classes. I made lifelong friends, I learned how to handle huge amounts of responsibility, and I became the person I am today, because of Barbara Tholen. I know that Barb changes the lives of every student that walks into her class, because she changed mine,” wrote Emily Kruse, an LHS alumna.

Now in her 11th year with LHS, Tholen has taught 21st Century Journalism, Digital Media/ Imaging, and Graphic Design. She advises the school newspaper, The Budget; and the Red & Black yearbook. She earned her bachelor’s degree at K-State and her master’s at Baker University. “There have been very few teachers I have had in my academic career that have been able to come close to leaving the impression on me that Ms. Tholen has. The accolades and honors that Lawrence High School publications have been awarded under Ms. Tholen says everything you need to know about the quality of teacher she is… She leads the class as if we are a professional publication and expects no less than a professional quality product,” wrote LHS alumnus Henry DeWitt.

The district will nominate Tholen to Emporia State’s Kansas Master Teacher program. “She has been my longest supporter in journalism. I would not be where I am today in this field without her and everything she has done for me,” wrote LHS alumna Cortlynn Stark, a Kansas City Star reporter.

Quail Run Library Media Specialist Named Elementary Teacher of the Year

With family watching online, Jenny Gorup entered the Quail Run library to the cheers of colleagues celebrating her selection as Elementary Teacher of the Year. District partner Truity Credit Union presented her with $1,000.

“Jenny is an outstanding educator… who has successfully made our library a place where every student, staff, and parent feels welcome. She is constantly seeking new and innovative ideas and resources to bring to the library and to share with her colleagues. She plays an active role in supporting curriculum development with different grade-level teams and works collaboratively with teachers to bring unique learning experiences to students,” wrote colleagues Mandy Sikes and Christina Smith in their nomination.

Gorup taught for six years at Sunflower Elementary before joining Quail Run in 2006. She earned a bachelor’s degree at Washburn and her master’s at Pittsburg State. The district will nominate her to the Kansas Teacher of the Year program.