Above & Beyond Awards
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Many Anoka-Hennepin staff members and teams go above and beyond normal job expectations to ensure that students receive a high quality education.The Above & Beyond Awards involve students, staff, parents and community members in recognizing and rewarding Anoka-Hennepin employees and groups — teachers, secretaries, cooks, paras, custodians and others — who consistently go that extra mile so students can be successful.
This program is a joint effort of the district and the Anoka-Hennepin Educational Foundation (AHEF).
The 2024 Above & Beyond Awards ceremony will take place April 3 at the Educational Service Center (ESC).
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Previous award recipients
From 1997 to 2011, the district acknowledged and publicized exemplary performance in the classroom through the Teacher Outstanding Performance (TOP) Award.
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2023-24 recipients
The recipients:
- Marti Biegler, Jackson Middle School, special education teacher (DCD and PI) and case manager.
- Melyssa Carlson, Educational Service Center, technology, technology facilitator.
- Cory Davis, Champlin Park High School, physical education teacher and coach.
- Lori De Jong, Lincoln Elementary, school office supervisor.
- Amanda Eilertson, Champlin Park High School, academic intervention teacher.
- Sheila Joslin, Oxbow Creek Elementary, school office supervisor.
- Mindy Meyers, Waapishki Kiisis Ikwe, Educational Service Center, American Indian Education Program Coordinator.
- Bich Lieu Nguyen, Educational Service Center, technology, instructional technology facilitator.
- Corinna Nunnery, Oxbow Creek Elementary, Adventures Plus, site coordinator.
- Ray Richardson, Educational Service Center, buildings and grounds, maintenance manager.
- Denise Schnabel, Evergreen Park Elementary, principal.
- Hannah Schrempp, Oak View Middle School, secondary reading teacher.
- Julia Stock, Brookside Elementary, teacher, grade 2.
- Penny Walsh, Riverview Early Childhood Family Education (ECFE), parent and family educator.
- Coral-Lyn Wyman, Champlin Park High School, assistant principal.
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2022-23 recipients
- Billie Davis-Fehr, Monroe Elementary, teacher, special education (ASD).
- Lana Johnson, Ramsey Elementary, teacher, grade 3.
- Rachel Jorgensen, Anoka High School, teacher, work-based learning.
- Sarah Kisiah, Northdale Middle School, teacher, English, AVID support teacher.
- Dominic Krebsbach, Monroe Elementary, teacher, grade 4.
- Sarah Lindbo, Champlin-Brooklyn Park Academy, teacher, grade 2.
- Jennifer Peña, Blaine High School, licensed school nurse.
- John Peña, Coon Rapids High School, principal.
- Molly Schuster, Oxbow Creek Elementary, paraeducator, elementary.
- Jacob Southmayd, Dayton Elementary, teacher, special education (ABS).
- Minh Strusz, Hoover Elementary, principal.
- Bill Underwood, Educational Service Center, teaching and learning specialist, special education technology.
- Jacque Weidner, Lincoln Elementary, teacher, special education (SLD).
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2021-22 recipients
- Taylor Browen - Regional High School, School Social Worker
- Jennifer Carls - Mississippi Elementary, School year secretary
- Rosanna Chavez Leon - Evergreen Park Elementary, Paraeducator, special education
- Kim Corbey - Anoka High School, Teacher, English
- Stephanie Diaz-Celon - River Trail Learning Center, Program supervisor
- Krystyne Hable-Lafean - Sand Creek Elementary, Teacher, special education
- Danielle Harris - Champlin Park High School, Teacher, English
- Diane Kilmer - Labor Relations and Benefits, HR Systems Manager
- Allan Klemz - Blaine High School, School monitor
- James Kulla - Northdale Middle School, Teacher, science
- Kelly Kum - Evergreen Park Elementary, Teacher, EL
- Stephanie Pogalz - Northdale Middle School, Teacher, math
- Tamara Van Voorhis - Rum River Elementary, Teacher, grade 3
- Matt Van Zee - Roosevelt Middle School, Teacher, English
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2020-21 recipients
Due to the COVID-19 pandemic, the traditional Above and Beyond Awards weren't announced. Instead, teachers and staff were recognized for their exceptional work during the spring of 2021 in the form of Above and Beyond Shoutouts.
- Adventures Plus Staff, All Sites.
- Alicia Ekdahl, SPED Lead Teacher, Brookside Elementary.
- Amy Brooks, secretary, Metro North Adult Basic Education.
- Amy Harnack, school counselor, Champlin Park High School.
- Amy Oliver, principal, Monroe Elementary School.
- Amy Storrick, counselor, Coon Rapids High School.
- Amy Sundem, third grade teacher, Champlin-Brooklyn Park Academy.
- Andrea Puder, kindergarten teacher, Sunrise Elementary School.
- Andrea Schuldt, employee services, Educational Services Center.
- Annie Erdman, kindergarten teacher, Champlin-Brooklyn Park Academy.
- Betsy Nordin, ELA teacher, Oak View Middle School.
- Brianna Justen, second grade teacher, Sunrise Elementary School.
- Brittney Kurtz, English teacher, Anoka High School.
- Carrie Paske, math teacher, Northdale Middle School.
- Chris Creger, custodial lead, Oxbow Creek Elementary School.
- Colleen Eggerichs, secondary paraprofessional, Anoka High School.
- Connie Reski, fabric arts teacher, Anoka Middle School for the Arts - Fred Moore campus.
- Custodians, all schools.
- Dawn Roesler, math teacher, Jackson Middle School.
- Denise Schnabel, principal, Evergreen Park Elementary School.
- Douglas Jones, Minnesota studies teacher, Oak View Middle School.
- ECSE Program, Riverview, Sorteberg, other sites.
- Hannah Grimley, third grade teacher, Sand Creek Elementary School.
- Heather Cotter, grade one teacher, Andover Elementary.
- Jamie Weisz, SPED teacher - math, Champlin Park High School.
- Janice Eason, kindergarten teacher, Oxbow Creek Elementary School.
- Jennie Federer, kindergarten teacher, Sunrise Elementary School.
- Jennifer Johnson & Melyssa Carlson, integrative tech teachers, elementary school sites.
- Jeremy Carlson, EBD teacher, Oak View Middle School.
- Jesse Peterson, German teacher, Roosevelt & Northdale Middle Schools.
- Jessica Askew, social studies teacher, Andover High School.
- Joel Weingart, sixth grade math teacher, Coon Rapids Middle School.
- Johanna Mueller, fourth grade teacher, Hamilton Elementary School.
- John Jacobson, life science teacher, Anoka Middle School for the Arts - Fred Moore campus.
- Julia Messenger, social worker, Northdale Middle School.
- Julie Beaufeaux, social worker, River Trail Learning Center.
- Kaitlynn Kelley, third grade teacher, Lincoln Elementary School.
- Kara Gupta, EL lead, Hamilton Elementary School.
- Karin Ridlehoover, medial specialist, Dayton Elementary School.
- Kathy Schulz, infection control nurse, Educational Services Center.
- Katie Hale, STEAM & FACS teacher, Anoka High School.
- Lauryn Engleman, teacher, Ramsey Elementary School.
- Lisa Dixon, preschool teacher, Riverview.
- Lomumba Ismail, social studies teacher, Anoka High School.
- Lorin Buzay, math teacher, Oak View Middle School.
- Lucas Slizewski, history teacher, Anoka High School.
- Lynne Opheim, SPED case manager, Jefferson Elementary.
- Mary O'Hanlon, kindergarten teacher, Champlin-Brooklyn Park Academy.
- Megan Blatchley, preschool teacher, Sorterberg.
- Megan Lagasse, school social worker, HOPE office/Northdale Middle School.
- Melissa Watson, English teacher, Anoka High School.
- Michael Redman, Intake Coordinator, ABE.
- Mike Farley, principal, Anoka High School.
- Nancy Wojciechowski, SPED lead teacher, University Avenue Elementary.
- Nate Manaen, principal, Mississippi Elementary School.
- Paul Keeney, tech ed teacher, Oak View Middle School.
- Raymond Miller, safety patrol, Anoka High School/Lincoln Elementary School.
- Rebecca Chileen, evaluation team lead, Sandburg Education Center.
- Rebecca Michaelson, music teacher, Madison Elementary School.
- Renee Snow, student achievement advisor, Coon Rapids High School.
- Shawna Feist, second grade teacher, Mississippi Elementary School.
- Tim Peterson, first grade teacher, Madison Elementary School.
- Tom Shaw III, principal, Coon Rapids Middle School.
- Valerie Krebsbach, fifth grade teacher, Hoover Elementary.
- Vanessa Perry, first grade teacher, Johnsville Elementary School.
- Wendy Wallace, kindergarten teacher, Jefferson Elementary School.
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2019-20 recipients
- Laura Ahrendt, special education teacher, Anoka High School.
- Tracy Bengtson, art teacher, Anoka-Hennepin Regional High School.
- Andy Berg, technology facilitator, Anoka Middle School for the Arts.
- Rachel Berndt, special education teacher, Sand Creek Elementary School.
- Blake Bodenburg, business and marketing teacher, Coon Rapids High School.
- Jim Chamberlain, technology paraeducator, McKinley Elementary School.
- John Clarkin, special education teacher, River Trail Learning Center.
- Joleen Lundin, fifth grade teacher, Madison Elementary School.
- Cathy Landis, first grade teacher, Eisenhower Elementary School.
- Kate Mabel, first grade teacher, Monroe Elementary School - Mathematics, Science and Children's Engineering.
- Emily Niemi, English teacher, Anoka Middle School for the Arts.
- Sabrina Olson, band teacher, Anoka Middle School for the Arts.
- Pat Sorteberg, child nutrition site supervisor, Anoka Middle School for the Arts.
- Lauren Williams, second grade teacher, Hamilton Elementary School.
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2018-19 recipients
- Frank Butterfield and Deborah N. Hedrington, special education teachers, Sand Creek Elementary School.
- David Christensen, English teacher, Blaine High School.
- Holly Clark, English teacher, Northdale Middle School.
- Tara Hoffman, social studies teacher, Anoka High School.
- John Keran, fifth grade teacher, Rum River Elementary School.
- Stephen Landry, math teacher, Andover High School.
- Jennifer Lawrence, school social worker, Wilson Elementary School.
- Brenda McNallan, special education teacher, Roosevelt Middle School.
- Jodi Schmitt, English teacher, Anoka Middle School for the Arts - Washington Campus.
- Crystal Scott, career and technical teacher, Secondary Technical Education Program (STEP).
- Molly Thomson, special education paraeducator, Jefferson Elementary School.
- Vivienne Williamson, security paraeducator, Anoka High School.
- Scott M. Zachmann, fourth grade teacher, Johnsville Elementary School.
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2017-18 recipients
- Gary Cocchiarella, building supervisor, Mississippi Elementary School.
- Barb Graen, media paraprofessional, Oxbow Creek Elementary School.
- Stacy Kilmer, science teacher, Oak View Middle School.
- Karen Larson, special education paraprofessional, Anoka Middle School for the Arts.
- Carol Leafblad, kindergarten teacher, Madison Elementary School.
- Stacy Madsen, first grade teacher, Lincoln Elementary School for the Arts.
- Marcy Marquardt, physical education teacher, Monroe Elementary School.
- Julia Messenger, school social worker, Northdale Middle School.
- Betsy Nordin, English language arts and reading strategies teacher, Oak View Middle School.
- Dr. Lisa M. Silmser, fifth grade teacher, Monroe Elementary School.
- D'Andrea Westbrook, student achievement advisor, Champlin Park High School.
- Jessica Wippler, principal, Dayton Elementary School.
- Alyssa Zemple, school counselor, Secondary Technical Education Program (STEP) and StepAhead Online High School.
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2016-17 recipients
- JoAnn Arneson, second grade teacher, Madison Elementary School.
- Jennifer Babiracki, special education supervisor, Educational Service Center.
- Julie Danielowski, third grade teacher, Eisenhower Elementary School.
- Kathy Dvorak, first grade teacher, Oxbow Creek Elementary School.
- Michael George, principal, Champlin Park High School.
- Jennifer Gilbert, wellness specialist and SHIP coordinator, Educational Service Center.
- Todd Hunter, science teacher, Anoka High School.
- Leah Lewis, library paraeducator, University Avenue Elementary School.
- Kelly McQuay, technology education teacher, Northdale Middle School.
- Gena Mickley, special education paraeducator, Sand Creek Elementary School.
- Jeffrey Mueller, transportation safety coordinator, Educational Service Center.
- Diane Therrien, special education teacher, Jackson Middle School.
- Dua Yang, English language (EL) paraeducator, University Avenue Elementary School.
- Andrea Zinda, school counselor, Jackson Middle School.
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2015-16 recipients
- Linda Anderson, director of student services, Educational Service Center.
- Karla Haij, English and theater teacher, Coon Rapids High School.
- Colleen Heier, special education paraprofessional, Roosevelt Middle School.
- Marie Martineau, third grade teacher, Wilson Elementary School.
- Jon Mathisen, school resource officer, Andover High School.
- Brian Ross, industrial technology teacher, Coon Rapids Middle School.
- Joan Spehar, physical education teacher, Champlin Park High School.
- Gretchen Wibben, reading teacher, Coon Rapids Middle School.
- Derek Williamson, fourth grade teacher, Lincoln Elementary School for the Arts.
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2014-15 recipients
- Jodi Anderson-Wolhaupter, eighth grade teacher, Anoka Middle School for the Arts, Fred Moore Campus.
- Janet Arkelin, elementary paraeducator, Lincoln Elementary School for the Arts.
- Jeanne Carney, speech pathologist, Monroe Elementary School for Mathematics, Science and Children’s Engineering.
- Steve Czech, work coordinator, Pathways.
- Beau Dickey, special education teacher, Blaine High School.
- Sara Ferber, social worker, Evergreen Park World Cultures Community School.
- Robert Gamache, fifth grade teacher, Lincoln Elementary School for the Arts.
- Christine Godzala-Walytka, school secretary, Anoka Middle School for the Arts, Fred Moore Campus.
- Levi Hansen, technology paraprofessional, Compass at Bell Center.
- Shelly Hedstrom, special education teacher, Champlin-Brooklyn Park Academy for Math and Environmental Science.
- Terry LeTendre, custodian, River Trail Learning Center.
- Amy Neuswanger, first grade teacher, Madison Elementary School.
- Rob Scott, first grade teacher, Andover Elementary School.
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2013-14 recipients
- Dana Berg, elementary paraeducator, ChamplinBrooklyn Park Academy.
- Julie D. Bowman, second grade teacher, Crooked Lake Elementary School.
- Neil Eerdmans, third grade teacher, Oxbow Creek Elementary School.
- Linda Groebner, assistant principal, Jackson Middle School.
- Laura Hendricks, assistant principal, Compass programs.
- Charles LaRue, ESL/ABE instructor with North Metro Adult Basic Education, Learning Lab Blaine
- Alysia Nahring, second grade teacher, Andover Elementary School.
- Lenny Smith, Jr., building supervisor, Andover Elementary School.
- Linda Trebby, Child Nutrition site supervisor, Anoka High School.
- Sue Weidell, transportation route coordinator, Educational Service Center.
- AnokaHennepin's Insurance Department, Supervisor Colleen Sewall, Jackie Nelson, Sheila Peterson, Niki Eisenbraun and Chris Sundeen.
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2012-13 recipients
- Pam Baker, college and career specialist, Champlin Park High School.
- Nicole Hedlund, second grade teacher, Champlin-Brooklyn Park Academy.
- John Horton, third grade teacher, Eisenhower Elementary School.
- John Lero, building supervisor, Madison Elementary School.
- Nicki Magaard, counselor, Roosevelt Middle School.
- Juanita Mercedes Martinez Pabon, elementary paraeducator, Wilson Elementary School.
- Muggy Pierfelice, second grade teacher, Oxbow Creek Elementary School.
- Karrie Schaaf, homeless youth liaison, Family Welcome Center.
- Mischelle Squire, adult learning coordinator, Community Education.
- Kelly Weeks, elementary paraeducator, Andover Elementary School.
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2011-12 recipients
- Patrice Brown, Spanish and French teacher, recently retired, Champlin Park High School.
- Amy Harnack, counselor, Champlin Park High School.
- Kris Schommer, secretary, Oxbow Creek Elementary School.
- Denise Conroy Shablow, special education lead, 504 coordinator and intervention specialist, Roosevelt Middle School.
- Kristen M. Simcoe, child nutrition assistant, Champlin Park High School.
- Timothy Simonson, fourth grade teacher, Adams Elementary School.
- Mark Sipola, building supervisor, Adams Elementary School.
- Joyce Sephar, physical education, Evergreen Park World Studies School and Oxbow Creek Elementary School.
- Amy Sundem, fourth grade teacher, Sand Creek Elementary School.
- Sharon Zulkosky, special education paraprofessional, Coon Rapids Middle School.
