2023 QCUSD Awards of Excellence

Staff members with 2023 QCUSD Awards of Excellence

The QCUSD Awards of Excellence is an annual award that recognizes educators and staff members who have gone above and beyond to serve QCUSD’s students and community. This year, 29 teachers and staff members were recognized for their achievements.

Staff members anonymously nominate their colleagues for the award each year. A committee then selects two winners from each school to receive the award.

This award recognizes those who achieve excellence, lead with integrity and empower others around them. They also demonstrate QCUSD Positive Behavior Interventions and Support expectations: Be Kind. Be Respectful. Show Integrity.

Superintendent Dr. Berry surprised the award-winners with the good news during the school day. Recipients were able to celebrate the honor with their students and fellow QCUSD staff members. They later attended a ceremony at the Queen Creek Center for Performing Arts.

See the full list of winners below:

DME
Educator of the Year: Kristen Dawson
Support Staff of the Year: Kristy Leon

FBPE
Educator of the Year: Stephanie Atkison
Support Staff of the Year: Chen Goldstein

FMSE
Educator of the Year: Lara Cox
Support Staff of the Year: Connie Romano

GPA
Educator of the Year: Heather Raber
Support Staff of the Year: Jayden Bagge

JBE
Educator of the Year: Flor Noble
Support Staff of the Year: Autumn Page

KMBE
Educator of the Year: Emily Walicki
Support Staff of the Year: Shanon Lines

QCE
Educator of the Year: Kathryn Burkhead
Support Staff of the Year: Christine Beamon

SES
Educator of the Year: Cassie Baldwin
Support Staff of the Year: Cori Christensen

SVE
Educator of the Year: Jill DeVorkin
Support Staff of the Year: Crystal Haunschild

NBJHS
Educator of the Year: Erika Donovan
Support Staff of the Year: Leslie Antonino

QCJHS
Educator of the Year: Joshua Mattis
Support Staff of the Year: Hailey Harriman

CHS
Educator of the Year: Jake Allen
Support Staff of the Year: Marcos Montano

EHS
Educator of the Year: Lisa Wilkins-Eames
Support Staff of the Year: Leanne Hodson

QCHS
Educator of the Year: Gabriel Gahn
Support Staff of the Year: Betsy Roath

District Office
Support Staff of the Year: Cassie Kennedy

Educator of the Year
Joshua Mattis from QCJHS

Support Staff Member of the Year
Marcos Montano from CHS