Board presents Outstanding Employee Awards

April 8, 2005 - Renton School District Board members presented the Outstanding Employee Awards at the April 6th meeting to five district staff members. For nearly 30 years board members have presented the annual awards to district staff for their invaluable contributions, outstanding dedication, competence, conscientious performance and ingenuity which translate to a significant impact on their school and the district.

About two dozen nominations were received for the awards. Board members and last year's award winners combed through the applications and discussed attributes of nominees to select this year's recipients.

The teachers and support staff honored have a combined total of nearly 135 years of service.

This year's winner are:

OUTSTANDING ELEMENTARY TEACHER is Marcia Chow, 4th-grade teacher at Lakeridge Elementary School. Marcia holds a bachelor's degree in sociology and a master's degree in technology. She is an avid reader and continuously hones her teaching talents by taking coursework, serving on committees and being involved in many teaching-related activities. Teachers at Lakeridge seek Marcia out for advice and leadership in everything from curriculum implementation to classroom management. Marcia has attended Central Washington University, Seattle Pacific University, Western Washington University, McPherson College, Antioch University, City University and her alma mater, the University of Washington, where she serves on the committee for the Teachers for a New Era project. Marcia has taught at Lakeridge for almost 30 years.

OUTSTANDING SECONDARY TEACHER is JoAnne Peterson, French teacher and department chair of the Foreign Language Department at Lindbergh High School. JoAnne has taught school since 1979; working in the Mercer Island, Bellevue, Northshore and Renton school districts. She has studied French, German and Spanish. Additionally, she has studied the principles of real estate, Native American cultures, individual travel, cultural differences and computer software in the classroom. JoAnne loves riding horses and traveling. Her language skills and love of travel and learning about other cultures allows her to lead a group of students on trips to Europe every few years.

There are two winners of the Outstanding Building Support Person award:

OUTSTANDING BUILDING SUPPORT PERSON is Ly Taing, custodian at Benson Hill Elementary School. Ly has been with district since 1981; working at Dimmitt, Hazen, Renton High and Benson Hill. Ly came to the U.S. in 1979 as a refugee from Cambodia. In his home country, Ly was a newspaper photographer before being displaced by the Communist Party. When he arrived in the U.S., Ly immediately began taken English and other courses at Highline Community College. Today, aside from his regular duties at Benson Hill, he is a tremendous asset, translating at after-hour events for parents, students and staff.

OUTSTANDING BUILDING SUPPORT PERSON is Russell McPeak, custodian at McKnight Middle School. Russ has been with the district since 1986, working at Renton High, Highlands Elementary School and McKnight Middle School. One of Russ' jobs before coming to the district was working as a jet engine mechanic on Air Force One, the president's plane. Russ worked on the plane through the Nixon, Ford, Carter and Reagan administrations. Last year, while working with students in McKnight's lunch room, Russ' quick action and knowledge of the Heimlich maneuver helped him save the life of a student who was chocking on food that was lodged in his throat.

OUTSTANDING DISTRICT SUPPORT PERSON is Louis Pappas, executive director of secondary programs. Louis has nearly 40 of service in education, beginning his teaching career in 1967 in Eugene, Ore. Louis has also taught in the Highline School district and has served as principal at Dimmitt Middle School and Hazen and Renton high schools. As the head of secondary education in the district, Louis has worked tirelessly to provide principals and school staff with the attention, resources and recognition befitting their hard work to prepare students for a better future. Upon accepting his award, Louis said that any praise he receives is just a reflection of the dedication and effort of staff in the district's middle and high schools.