Bend-La Pine Schools is recognizing staff members from across the district who have distinguished themselves this school year with their leadership, innovation, outstanding professional practice, and positive contributions at work and in the community.
The 76 honorees, nominated by their supervisors, were recognized at the annual Excellence in Education Awards held May 13 at Mountain View High School. They include campus monitors, counselors, kitchen managers, classroom teachers, educational assistants, office managers, bus drivers and others who have had a positive impact on students.
“Tonight is a celebration of the extraordinary people who make Bend-La Pine Schools so special,” Superintendent Steven Cook said following Tuesday’s ceremony. “Our honorees are not only exceptional at what they do, they bring genuine care, passion, and purpose to their work leaving a lasting impact on students, families, and colleagues. It’s a privilege to recognize and thank each of them for the heart they bring to our schools every day.”
At the end of the program, the district named 14 finalists for the certified employee of the year and the support staff employee of the year. Those two honors will be announced at the start of the 2026-27 school year.
Excellence in Education finalists for 2026 are:
Support Staff of the Year:
Denise Bunday – High Lakes Elementary School
Courtney Miller – Westside Village Magnet School
Silvie Pierce – Sky View Middle School
Lupe Loheit – Bend Senior High School
Marisa Dunn – Human Resources
Sophia Theotokatos – Custodial Department
Brian Harris – Safety Department
Certified Employee of the Year:
Brian Crites – Amity Creek Magnet School
Katie Sinner – Ensworth Elementary School
Rick Johnson – North Star Elementary School
Lindsey Dersch – Pacific Crest Middle School
Chelsea Jennings – Mountain View High School
Tanya Everts – Bend-La Pine Online
Torie Withers – Teaching & Learning
Excellence in Education honorees for 2026 are:
Brian Crites – Amity Creek Magnet School
Julie Connell and Emmaline Beall – Bear Creek Elementary
Stacia Williams Biancucci and Teresa DuValle – Buckingham Elementary
Nicole Dewes and Jayne Welch – Elk Meadow Elementary
Katie Sinner and Carol Nolan – Ensworth Elementary
Allison Harvey and Denise Bunday – High Lakes Elementary
Tami Otis and Steph Greene – Highland Magnet School
Ashley Dawson and Beth Carey – Juniper Elementary
Cody Dame and Samuel Olson – La Pine Elementary
Tracy Mauze and Jill Evans – Lava Ridge Elementary
Rick Johnson and Gina Chavez – North Star Elementary
Katie DuVal and Jessica Baker – Pine Ridge Elementary
Brittany Sluman and Patsy Cockrum – Ponderosa Elementary
Carey Fitzgerald and Calah Hickmann – R.E. Jewell Elementary
Nicholas Meko and Shawna Haddock – Rosland Elementary
Taj Simmons and Keaton Race-Kryger – Silver Rail Elementary
Kacie Pitner and Amberlynn Wilson – Three Rivers K-8
Addy Ramina and Courtney Miller – Westside Village Magnet School
Betsy Perry and Michael Webber – W.E. Miller Elementary
David Rushton and Carolyn Lamberson – Cascade Middle School
Joe Albano and Liza Boisineau – High Desert Middle School
Tracy Chancellor and Michelle Whitney – La Pine Middle School
Valerie Overley and Kasey Cartmill – Pilot Butte Middle School
Lindsey Dersch and Shawna Junker – Pacific Crest Middle School
Matt Jones and Silvie Pierce – Sky View Middle School
Alexandra Jennings and Lupe Loheit – Bend Senior High School
Rachael Harbison and Paulina Stadler – Caldera High School
Luke Donahue and Abby Schneider – La Pine High School
Kelly Peters and Rebecca Wright – Bend Tech Academy
Chelsea Jennings and Aimee Coble – Mountain View High School
Yen-Ling Wang and Luke Martin – Realms Middle and High School
Denise Horton and Lynn Hawkins – Summit High School
Tanya Everts and Tami Hertzler – Bend-La Pine Online
Torie Withers and Stephanie Bent – Teaching & Learning
Sharon Botten – Nutrition Services
Jerry Van Cura – Maintenance
Sophia Theotokatos – Custodial Department
Rachel Mavis – Information Technology
Brian Harris – Safety Department
Elizabeth Hall – La Pine Transportation
Julie Raines – Bend Transportation
Marisa Dunn – Human Resources
Scott Blanchard – Business Office
