Renton School Board honors ‘Outstanding’ Employees of the Year

April 11, 2006 - The Renton School District Board of Directors recently honored four district employees with the annual Outstanding Employee Awards.

For nearly 30 years the board has presented the annual awards to teachers and district support staff who demonstrate a work ethic that goes well beyond their job description and who always put students first. The teachers and support staff honored are recognized for their invaluable contributions, outstanding dedication, competence, conscientious performance and ingenuity which translate to a significant impact for students at their school and throughout the district.

The four employees honored have a combined total of more nearly 120 years of service with the Renton School District.

Outstanding Elementary School Teacher Award is presented to Linda Peterson. Linda is a special education teacher at Lakeridge Elementary School. She holds a bachelor’s degree in special education and has 36 years experience teaching in the Sultan, Riverside and Renton school districts. Linda’s understanding of special needs students, combined with her patience and love, make her an extraordinary teacher.

Outstanding Secondary School Teacher Award is presented to Geof Newing. Geof is a technology education teacher at Lindbergh High School. Geof is responsible for Lindbergh High’s award winning robotics program as well as teaching computer graphics, graphic arts and serves on district and state committees. Geof is known to students as a teacher that helps them answer their own questions by thinking critically about their problems, viewing challenges from various angles, and deciding on an approach that best helps them learn. Geof has taught in the district since 1974.

Outstanding Building Support Person Award is presented to Ginger Rademacher, lead secretary and administrative specialist at Nelsen Middle School. Ginger’s skills and positive, welcoming demeanor serves Nelsen students, parents and community well. She takes a special interest in students, often volunteering to work after-hours at school functions. Ginger was nominated for the award by dozens of Nelsen teachers, students and parents. Ginger has served in various positions at Nelsen sine 1988.

Outstanding District Support Person is Earline Bala, the district’s Indian education program liaison. Earline’s commitment and professionalism have a great impact on students. She routinely works with students and families at their homes as well as at schools. Earline has been described as an amazing woman with such humanity and qualities that make her not only a teacher, but a mother, mentor, advisor and advocate. She has served in the district for 31 years.