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Jerrod Dempsey and Terry Gruelle accept an award for Gruelle-Dempsey Orthodonics, named as a global leader and empathetic collaborator. |
The awards, created by Superintendent Karen Cheser and her team, honors those whose contributions to Fort Thomas schools and community exemplify the qualities identified in the Portrait of a Graduate initiative.
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Woodfill Teacher Leah Fryman accepts award as empathetic collaborator from Jamee Flaherty. |
"Any student, any parent, community member, teacher, staff member or administrator can be nominated by anyone in our community, and the nomination is aligned to our Portrait of a Graduate," Cheser explained.
The winners’ contributions touch on one or several of the core competencies: global communicator, empathetic collaborator, curious critical thinker, creative problem solver and courageous leader.
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Highlands science teacher Colleen Epperson was honored as a courageous leader and global communicator. |
First up was Gruelle-Dempsey Orthodonics, represented by Jerrod Dempsey and Terry Gruelle. Flaherty shared a story about why the company was chosen for exemplifying both global leader and empathetic collaborator.
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Highlands High School teacher Mike Lipscomb was named an empathetic collaborator. |
"They provided a hot lunch for all of our middle and high school students that included Marcos Pizza, Skyline and many other vendors…We recognize you for stepping up and for your connection to our community and we thank you for your support."
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Highlands High teacher John Warford received an award as an empathetic collaborator. |
Highlands High School science teacher Colleen Epperson was recognized by her colleague Daniella (Del) Ehemann for courageous leadership and global communication. After observing a similar program at another school district, Epperson developed a new online environmental science course for Highlands.
"No one in our department has ever done something like that, and you have really shown courageous leadership…You are enjoying it, invigorated by it, students are loving it and it’s enticing you to do even more…It’s exciting to watch and your enthusiasm is infectious," said Ehemann to Epperson in her nomination letter.
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Highlands High teacher Melissa Trumbach was recognized as a courageous leader. |
She nominated Mike Lipscomb as an empathetic collaborator for his willingness to help her with technology questions and for consistently checking with her, sharing tips and ideas and for going the extra mile to help her.
John Warford, was also nominated by Klein as an empathetic collaborator. She said he took extra care with her as a new person at the school, making sure she had all the materials and information she needed to make a smooth transition.
Klein nominated Melissa Trimbach as a courageous leader. She said Trimbach has reached out in numerous ways, taking time out during the summer to give a tour and provide transition information and support. She also checks in with Klein weekly to see how she is doing.
"You can see why we are such a great school district. We have such great people." said Cheser. "This was just the first set of awards. There will be many more each month."
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