Staff News and Announcements

Comet Shout Outs (Sunday November 3, 2019)

Mike Planicka- Always putting his students first, and being an awesome teacher to work with. Mike goes above and beyond in and out of the classroom, I'm very fortunate to work with him.

Mark McCormick for being a great teacher and bringing humor to the classroom! He is flexible to work with and puts students first, he wants to see students succeed! Keep up the great work, Mark!

Laura Spitzmueller: She is an approachable leader who truly listens and supports staff. Grateful for her work and presence at MHS!

Barb Shuba: She exudes such energy and excitement for education, shares this with others, and supports others in their endeavors. Grateful for her friendship and leadership!

Maria Mueller - Maria is a tireless teacher advocate. While she may not always give the answers we want to hear, she DEFINITELY gives the answers we NEED to hear. Her attention to detail and her ability to analyze information in multiple formats guide her teacher leadership and her classroom instruction in innovative ways (with and without technology!!).

Big thank you to Aimee Hansen and Sheila Nimer for grading my quizzes while I was absent. It meant so much to me to come back and have less stress. THANK YOU!!!

Paul Barry for his ability to make challenging science topics easily understood! He treats his students with respect and has a classroom environment that welcomes questions and collaboration=)

Alison King

Alison King- Always goes above and beyond to help students. Has the best interest of students at heart. Is a great resource to students in the science classroom.

Erica Minner, I would not be here if it weren't for you. You keep me sane and you carry me on your sail. Thank you.

Erica Minner truly cares for her students. She is so good at connecting with each one and making them feel valued. They feel comfortable and safe with her.

Awesome job, Mary Horvath! She took over for Lisa Jacob from the beginning of the year and built a great foundation for these kids and for Lisa when she comes back next week. We will miss you, and so will the kids. Her Connect time is always full. Thank you for welcoming kids and supporting them here at MHS with your positive energy and kindness.

Diana Williams for always being so caring and empathetic

Allen Young, cheers to you! I just left the Final Production of She Kills Monsters. What a production! Allen , you do an amazing job on these shows. You all work hard. The kids were awesome. I regret not going to every single play since I started working here. I won't miss another!

Patrica George - Besides being incredibly witty and a superior educator, she is the most supportive force on the teacher team!

PG = HEART of GOLD!

Nathan Coates, thanks for taking your first Model UN trip with the team.

CJ Dicks. All the extra time he puts in with students and HACK club.

Dave Weiseman For helping me print posters. He is awesome.

Heather Verstreate - she has taken on a new challenge with a positive attitude, and she's taking great care to get to know her new students both culturally and academically. Thank you!

Hakim Oliver: Hakim took an entire day to sit in my senior English classes to discuss race and culture in conjunction with our text as well as what we're seeing currently. He did an amazing job preparing for the discussion and fielding questions from the students. It was a fantastic day for our kids because of him!

Becca Flynn and Amanda Stratton, our Children's Hospital therapists! Thank you for ALL you do to support our students and for working so hard to get our school-based therapy program up and running!! We appreciate you!!

Shout out to Michelle Dorsey for being an amazing support from the Mental Wellness Team!! We are happy to have you on our team!!

Hope squad teachers - thanks for all of your hard work to help raise awareness about mental health. The advisory plans this week were so thoughtful and moving. Thanks!

Barb Shuba and Liz Coleman - thanks for being such awesome leaders for the science department! We all rely on you so much and I appreciate everything you do. We really would be lost with you!

Carolina A for being the best advocate for all of my ESL kids!

Hakim Oliver goes the extra mile to help ALL students, especially those who need a little extra direction or TLC. He's amazing!

Brandon Rompies - for always answering the call on the walkie!

Jere' Clark and Carol Lehman - thank you for the peer tutors who make such a difference for our kids. The fast turn around is amazing.

Dan Broaddrick - Thanks for being a breath of fresh air around the B3 pod! I appreciated your help in getting a couple of those Advisory freshmen in line, too!

Laura Spitzmueller for always supporting me as we work through issues with our kids.

Beth Celenza - For sharing and trusting her classroom with a fellow colleague to provide the students with a rich learning experience involving real-world perspectives!

Jeff, thank you for assessing kids and getting them the help they need - I owe you. By the way, I have another for you :).

Katie, Matt, & Genny -- I'm in great hands with this sophomore support group! Thanks for always being so flexible and accommodating!

Dan Distel - thank you for working with our freshman. Not sure how you do it but you really know your kids.

Amanda Stratton and Rebecca Flynn - thank you for working so quickly to get kids the help they need!!

Kristi Stephens - Her hard work and positive attitude at whatever she does. She is truly wanting to do what is best for her students and is always up for trying new and exciting ideas!!

A shout out to Karan Witham-Walsh for her patience in dealing with all of my tech needs. She is always so helpful and never treats my questions as less than important. I couldn't function without her! Thank you Karan for your support and help!

Mollee Coffey and Anna Holt-They helped me with some copying issues and just made me smile on a rainy day! :)

Aaron Roberts is an amazing collaborator and brainstormer. If you're looking to have a creative mind help you elevate you're unit or lesson, he's a great resource.

Mr. Elias- Mr. Elias is always willing to help the Maker 101 class. Mr. Elias has custom cut materials for our laser cutter and helped me learn graphic design programs.

To Charlise, Alison, and Rachel for always being there to help out a newcomer to the team. I could not have made it through 1st quarter without you.

Jim Marcum goes the extra mile for all of his students--helping them with their studies, bending over backwards to help them, and creating a special relationship with each and every one.

Michelle Bruewer for her creative approach to reaching out to students. :-)

Mr. Weiseman- Mr. Weiseman has taken the time to help me set up and learn our new tools in the Applied Technology Department. Mr. Weiseman also helps troubleshoot computer and tech. issues. Thanks!

Carol Lehman - Her dedication to the culture team

”Shout-out” to Brandon Rompies for always having a positive, humble, and humerus attitude, even in stressful situations. His friendly supportive administrative style is greatly appreciated. Thanks for all you do Brandon!

Dan Broaddrick--for ALWAYS being there -- ALWAYS !!!!

Erica Minner, for taking the time to share vital knowledge about a common student & the struggles they are going through, with me. In supporting this student, she helps expand the web of support so that students can be connected with other staff to help them find answers & solutions to stressors.

The entire administration crew for their GENUINE compassion and belief that family comes first.

Tom Rapp and Chip Dobson are leading their boys and girls cross country to the state meet!

Jane Margraf is always willing to help a fellow A1 teacher out!

To all those teachers who gave "voice" (literally) to the reading of the article "Everyone is going through something" in advisory. Hearing the voices of their teachers reading really made an impact on my seniors. What could have been a boring article reading instead was a powerful experience in which all were engaged. Well done!

Every day (practically) after school, Maggie Long's classroom is full of Sci NHS students that just want to do fun science things and Maggie never says no :) She is amazing! Proud to be your suite mate and friend.

Matt Hornung- For ALWAYS being amazing no matter what is going on. We are so fortunate to have him at MHS! He is a team player, cares about others, works hard everyday, helps others all the time, and truly wants to make sure that everyone around him is doing well. He is a total rock star!

Jim Marcum- He brings joy and happiness to MHS! Works well with the students! Keep it up, Jim!

Genny Whittenbach- She is wonderful with the students and wants to see them do well. She follows through all the time and works hard on a daily basis. Genny is amazing at what she does!

Dan Distel: He is meant to be a leader! He brings the best out in people. He cares about everyone he works with. So easy to talk to and approach. Dan is doing what he is meant to do!

Ann Schwankhaus

Ann Schwankhaus for her support and willingness to help whenever I have a sub or a need in my classroom. Her gestures of kindness make this a great place to work!

A big shout out to Robyn Jordan----she is so calm and so pleasant to work with each day.

Joey Schnell - His students designed, built, and marketed cool chairs out of cardboard! I sat in two and they were quite comfortable!

Hubbard—Such a dedicated and kind person! He has been running all over the building as he helps to launch new sections of Forensics while teaching his own courses. MHS is blessed to have him : )

Barry—Wishing you a smooth & speedy recovery! Your knowledge, humor & ability to connect with your students are gifts—you are missed already!!

Thank you to Arlene Balczo for her support of of our freshman IEP kids in her English class. She is awesome with parents and gives positive energy to our students! She is a pleasure to share my students with and to collaborate with!

I appreciate that Alison King organizes math SDI for our freshman team. I don't know what I would do without her! She's a gem!

Catalino—The way in which you tricked your students into to having fun with literary devices & treats was simply SPOOKTACULAR!! Everyone was smiling : )

Ginny Wittenbach! ALWAYS super helpful. Always thinking about others.

To all the WCESC/Barb Reichel and her team of ladies who I see every morning getting their kids off the their buses: Thank you for your constant smiles, laughter and kindness that you show your kids every morning. Your enthusiasm for the care of your kids is amazing. It starts my day with a smile! You are all the BEST of the BEST!

I want to give an extra large shout out to my fellow A-1 pod teachers. They are always so accepting and loving towards my students with special needs. They go out of their way to make sure they are introduced and included with their peers. It is a blessing working with each and everyone of you!

I'm included in the shout-out to Barb Reichel and her wonderful team of ladies! They are always positive in a most difficult job. They brighten and start my morning off with smiles and positivity. Thank you all for what you do and please know you make a difference here at Mason High School with your students as well as the peoples lives you touch.

Thank you Tony Niemesh for laughs and fun while helping our students learn. You are the best!

To all the Para's in the building who go above and beyond for their students everyday!

Rachel Pansing who brings her A-game EVERYDAY!

Is there a more positive person in the building than Julie Panyko? She's always friendly with students and staff, willing to take on a hundred aides each bell, and even had Halloween bags to hand out! We all should bow at the altar of Julie Panyko.

Lloyd is amazing----he is my tech savior! Thanks for the extra help as I prepared to host guests at MHS. No tech problems at all!

To my friend and colleague Sally Clark for reminding me to breathe during the most stressful times at work and in life!

Thanks to all who made my Halloween Birthday a treat!! Makes the aging part a little less difficult : )

Sarah Branco--Thanks for being a great security partner! It has been wonderful getting to know you each morning. MHS is blessed to have you : )

Micah Faler--He's a great podmate who brings a lot of fun and energy to B2. We've all been noticing the extra effort he's putting into his personalized learning lessons, and word on the street is that he's also doing a wonderful job co-leading his department. We're lucky to have him in B2!

My C3 Friends (Jere, Nicki, Nick, Angie, Mollee, Bud, Anna, Arlene, Amanda,and Cory)...Thanks for creating a positive work environment and always doing what's best for students!

Charlise Showalter, for all the amazing work you do to support our Algebra students. Thanks!

To the staff that are always willing to help cover bells. It isn't ideal, but necessary, and you are very much appreciated!

Nancy Schilling - For always working hard and brightening a room with your smile!

Deanna Hogenkamp is trying lots of new and interesting things in her Business classes. Her efforts, ideas, and enthusiasm are building better future entrepreneurs and innovators!

Mandi Bross is stretching herself as a teacher and as a leader! She is working hard to learn new things and bringing those things to her 9th grade English team.

Lori Roth, Stephanie Nally and all of the teachers in the z2 pod that made awesome Shrek costumes. You made kids eager to travel through the pod. Thanks for all of the extra effort and for doing such a fun and enriching project with your kids.

Ashley Pope-Ashley is a tremendous support for all the kids in our class. She makes great connections with all of the students and works hard to meet the needs of every student at every level. Thank you!

COMET SHOUT OUT