Cougar Kudos for May 2026

Congratulations to the staff members who received Cougar Kudos this month for going above and beyond at North Rose-Wolcott! Kudos are presented in alphabetical order by last name.

All community members are invited to nominate any NRW staff member for Cougar Kudos! To submit your own shoutout for one of our staff members, please visit www.nrwcs.org/kudos to fill out a brief form. Recipients are posted every month to our website and social media channels.

 

Yvonne Bishop, Mary Erwin and Samantha Gardner, Parent Liaisons

“The Spring Carnival and Eggstravaganza was amazing! Thank you so much for helping to create such a special experience for our whole community!”

 

John Bittner, School Counselor, NRW Elementary School

“John goes above and beyond every day to support everyone from students to staff to parents. He is consistent and always willing to help in any way he can.”

 

Jamie Bundy, Secretary, NRW Middle School

“From organizing us all in so many ways, arranging subs, planning activities to getting us involved and having fun to being our consistent ray of sunshine daily, you truly are AMAZING and make every day better. Thank you!”

 

Amy Dapolito, Teacher Aide, NRW Elementary School

“Amy does a great job working with her assigned student and all students in the 12:1:1 classroom. She shows patience and understanding of a student’s needs.”

 

Paige Dapolito, School Nurse, NRW Elementary School

“Nurse Dapolito cares about all of our students and knows how to make them feel better. She has a wonderful sense of humor that puts kids at ease and she does a great job communicating with families!”

 

Heather Dennis, Teaching Assistant, NRW Elementary School

“She is helpful.”

 

Breanna Dunton, Christina King and Kate Nash, Teachers, NRW Elementary School

“Thank you for coordinating a wonderful Festival of the Arts performance for our families and communities! The event was well attended! We appreciate you!”

 

Stephanie Drollette, Teacher Aide, NRW Elementary School

“Thank you for volunteering at the Eggstravaganza event! We appreciated the extra hands setting up, cleaning up, and handing out prizes.”

 

Laurie Elliott, Community Schools Administrator

“Laurie has been a huge help to me the last two years making it possible for the schools to receive some great items through grant partnerships – things like a vertical garden, playground equipment, rebounders, benches, Math and Movement webinars, and sensory stickers. She has always followed through, been reliable, and is a pleasure to work with.”

 

Leisel Everdyke, Teacher, NRW Middle School

“My child says she always helps when things are tough.”

 

Joy Fields, School Psychologist, NRW Elementary School

“She goes above and beyond for families and students in need!”

 

Nate Finch, Maintenance Worker

“Nate is definitely an asset to this district. His support of the Cougar Cupboard is so very much needed and greatly appreciated. Thank you for your help. We don’t know what we would do without you!”

 

Mary Finn, School Counselor, NRW Middle School

“She helped me through rough times and made me feel seen.”

 

“She’s helpful and easy to talk to.”

 

“She is very patient with me and other students. She works really hard to make sure that if kids are having a hard time, she makes the time to talk to them.”

 

Kelly Granbois, Teacher, NRW Elementary School

“Ms. Granbois goes above and beyond with the kids all the time! When my child broke her arm, she made sure she felt comfortable coming back to school. She has a great sense of humor and the kids absolutely love her. Thank you for making it fun to learn in kindergarten!”

 

Mikayla Horn, Teacher, NRW Middle School

“She joined the district this year as a first-year teacher and has shown such determination, compassion and positivity since day one. Her students and fellow teachers are so lucky to have her on their team! Thank you, Mrs. Horn, for being amazing you!”

 

Karen Landean, Teaching Assistant, NRW High School

“Karen is the sweetest person I’ve ever met in high school. She’s truly outstanding. She’s the reason I love coming to school and the reason I’m always ready for the next day. She always welcomes students into her room with a warm smile. If you’re upset, she’s always there to talk and gives lots of hugs to anyone who needs them. She’s the one adult I can trust with everything I tell her. She’s always there for me when I’m upset over anything and she’s always there to be my best friend. Karen is the best person to look to when going through a hard time. I’ve seen her handle hard situations so well, and it helps me get through my own hard times. She’s an absolute legend in my world.”

 

Richard Lewis, Food Service Helper, NRW Elementary School

“Mr. Rick goes above and beyond for our kids! He has donated and delivered everything needed for the littles to hatch and house chicks in their classroom for the last 4 years! So many other classrooms get to come and join in the experience. It’s such a wonderful learning opportunity that wouldn’t happen without him!”

 

Brenda Lockwood, Teacher Aide, NRW Elementary School

“She is kind.”

 

Heather Luther, Food Service Helper, NRW Middle School

“Thank you so much for all your help stuffing eggs, volunteering, and unstuffing the eggs for the Eggstravaganza event! It was such an amazing event for our community!”

 

Maureen Mahoney, Teacher, NRW High School

“She shines her positive light and makes people feel seen.”

 

Kim Martindale, Cleaner, NRW Elementary School

“Kim is a hard worker. She greets staff and students with a smile on her face every day. The students color pictures for her and enjoy chatting with her on a daily basis. She is a joy to have around. She’s always positive. She is one of the best coworkers you could ever work with.”

 

Kursty Mendenhall, Teacher Aide, NRW Elementary School

“Thank you for volunteering at the Eggstravaganza event! We appreciated the extra hands setting up, cleaning up, and for providing music.”

 

Brenda Mitchell, Teacher, NRW Elementary School

“She is an amazing teacher! I have seen a lot of growth in my son since he has been in her class.”

 

“Mrs. Mitchell has made my son feel welcome and included in her class. She makes learning fun and cares about her students!”

 

Diana Mitchell, Head Custodian, NRW Middle School

“She loves what she does and loves being around the children. She likes keeping the school clean and organized.”

 

Lorryn Moore, Teacher Aide, NRW Elementary School

“She is an amazing 1-on-1 aide at the elementary school. She is always there when a teacher or student needs help. Miss Moore goes above and beyond for staff and students.”

 

Colin Nash, Teaching Assistant, NRW Elementary School

“Throughout the year Mr. Nash has been a HUGE part of my child’s development and success. He always makes sure we know when our son is having a good or bad day and does everything to ensure he can receive help in school and out. We are so thankful for all he does when our son is in school.”

 

Kate Nash, Teacher, NRW Elementary School

“My daughter’s love for music has grown tremendously since working with Mrs. Nash this year. My daughter frequently comes home and sings the songs they have learned in class, or she talks about the different topics that they have been working on in music! So incredibly thankful that my daughter has had teachers who have made such a positive impact on her. Thank you for all that you do!”

 

Lisa Olmstead, Teacher, NRW High School

“Ms. Olmstead always goes above and beyond for all students and the school. She is always at sporting events, helping and also cheering on the athletes! She is extraordinary and gives her all to this district and it should be recognized! Thank you for all you do!

 

Erik Pentycofe, Teacher, NRW High School

“As boys modified baseball coach, he made sure that the parents were well informed with when and where the games and practices were going to be held and made sure we were promptly informed if there was a change to the schedule or location. He appeared to be very engaged with the kids and taught them mechanics, swinging form, rules, etc. He did a great job and always remained level headed and respectful to everyone. This was all more than appreciated by many of the parents.”

 

Olivia Pixley, Teacher, NRW Elementary School

“Thank you for your commitment to helping my daughter succeed in her first grade year.”

 

Tracy Richards, Community Schools Assistant, NRW Elementary School

“She creates a welcoming environment. She genuinely cares for students, making the environment enjoyable. She consistently goes above and beyond to connect with students in a positive manner.”

 

Kristy Rigby and Makayla Ritchie, Teacher and Teacher Aide, NRW Elementary School

“My daughter LOVES coming to school! She always asks, ‘Is it time for school yet?’ then gets so sad when I tell her that it’s too early for school or it’s the weekend. Her teachers make learning fun and she always comes home with a smile telling me what she did for the day!”

 

Caroline Strub, Teacher, NRW High School

“She’s the BEST teacher and basically a counselor, band director, coach and role model all in one.”

 

“Ms. Strub is a bright light in the music department at NRW. She puts so much of her heart and time into guiding her students! The musical, concerts, marching band, competitions… she does it all while making strong connections with her students! Thank you for being AMAZING, Ms. Strub!”

 

Sundra Wendt, Teacher Aide, NRW High School

“She has always been a big help to me since the beginning. Recently she gave me a new pair of shoes because mine were falling apart.”

 

Darlene Wilson, Teacher Aide, NRW Middle School

“Your desire to support each and every one of our eighth graders shows daily. Your patience and calm is ever-present and you make classroom environments that much better just because you are in them. Thank you for being part of our team!”

 

Kristin Winslow, Teacher, NRW Elementary School

“She’s awesome.”