Kent School District names 12 Employees of the Year

The Kent School District recently announced its 2024-2025 Employees of the Year, commended for their hard work, dedication and commitment to the district’s mission.

A brief look at each Employee of the Year:

Information technology

• Cathy Gingras, application analyst III, Data Services: Joined the district almost 29 years ago. In 2009-2010, she achieved the role she excels in now as the IT senior applications analyst. In this role, she supports third-party products that integrate and rely on data from Qmlativ. She is vital in ensuring students have access to the technology they use day in and day out. She has great attention to detail, and she finds joy in problem solving and unraveling connections.

Mechanics, custodians, print shop, warehouse

• Torri Herman, head custodian at Meridian Elementary School: Creates a warm and inviting environment in the lunchroom, where she educates students on correct ways to dispose of trash, compost and recycle items. She creates a space where students of all levels can learn to be leaders by being a lunchtime helper. She chooses students who can grow no matter how shy or quiet they might be. On top of being an incredible custodian, she volunteers as the stage manager for school plays, and is a part of every rehearsal and performance.

Coaches

• Honey Sychtysz, Unified Sports advisor, Kentwood High School: Joined the district 21 years ago. She started as a para and is now an SLP assistant and head coach of the Unified Program. She is a leader, a mentor, and a true champion of inclusion. She fosters an environment where athletes of all abilities feel valued, supported, and empowered to succeed. She believes that every student should have the opportunity to experience the joy of sports.

Office professionals

• Michelle Moreno, office manager, Horizon Elementary School: Joined the district almost 14 years ago as a paraeducator at Jenkins Creek. In 2014, she moved into her role as an office manager at Horizon. She is a great bilingual resource and supporter of Horizon, using her amazing talent of translating and advocating to successfully meet the needs of bilingual students. She provides teachers with forms and information promptly and ensures families receive information in multiple languages.

Paraeducators

• Nicole Rodriguez, paraeducator at Kentridge High School: Has been with the district for almost 21 years. She started her career at Soos Creek and has been at Kentridge since the 2014-2015 school year. She helps prepare all students to be global citizens that encourages empathy, collaboration, and understanding diverse perspectives. She promotes patience, adaptability, and problem-solving, essential qualities for success in a global society.

Classroom teacher

• Marisabel Curtis, teacher, Scenic Hill Elementary: Joined the district as a paraeducator at Park Orchard Elementary in 2021. She became a kindergarten teacher at Scenic Hill in 2022. “Sabella Curtis is a shining example of what it means to be an exceptional educator. Her dedication to her students goes beyond academics—she fosters a love of learning, builds confidence, and creates a welcoming environment where every child feels valued. Her passion for dual language education and innovative teaching methods makes a lasting impact on our school community,” said Principal Harjeet Sandhu-Fuller.

Non-classroom certificated

• Vaudery Brown, counselor, Mill Creek Middle School: Joined the district almost 10 years ago as a counselor at Mill Creek. She is a vigorous equity advocate for building excellent systems at Mill Creek for the needs of every different group of students. At the district level, she is an equity advocate for all KSD school counselors and psychologists. She worked to create Mill Creek’s PTA, and works hard to find chaperones, volunteers, and even community members to help with events like field trips, picture day, and career day.

Principals & assistant principals

• Harjeet Sandhu-Fuller, principal, Scenic Hill Elementary: Joined the district almost 14 years ago as the principal for Grass Lake Elementary. Two years later, she moved into the role she now excels at Scenic Hill. She excels with data and tech driven intervention systems. She uses data to identify and address achievement gaps and implements targeted interventions for students’ individual needs. She combines equity and excellence to promote high expectations, inclusions, and achievement for all students.

Nutrition Services

• Zhanna Cheban, production line lead at Central Kitchen: Joined the district more than 20 years ago in November 2004 as a food service helper. At the start of the 2019-2020 school year, she moved into the role she excels in now. She does a very essential and important job for KSD as she coordinated the production of all meals that go to all students. She prepares and packs all elementary meals, after-school snacks, and after-school dinners.

Non-Rep – Central Office Administration

• James Alyson, assistant director, teaching & learning, inclusive education: First joined the district in the spring of 2010 as an intern, then became a speech language pathologist in the 2010-2011 school year. After spending some time in Seattle public schools, he returned to KSD in 2022-2023 as an assistant director in Inclusive Education. James actively supports IEP teams in developing rigorous IEPs, allocating necessary staffing, assisting with program placement decisions, and overseeing district-level processes.

Non-rep (non-administrative, non-supervisor staff)

• Guillermina Torres, student achievement specialist at Kent-Meridian High School: Joined the district in 2022 as a student achievement specialist at Kent-Meridian, where she provides crucial support to the attendance, health room, discipline, enrollment, and counseling teams. She is an essential advocate for Spanish-speaking families, and she fosters an inclusive environment where MLE families feel they belong and are encouraged to express their concerns.

Bus drivers

• Carmen Norton: Is completing her 23rd year with the district. Her bus route is about 9,000 miles per school year and safely transports about 100 students a day. After 23 years, that works out to driving over 200,000 miles and transporting 414,000 students. She is warm and welcoming. She knows every student who rides her bus and provides support and encouragement.