PAST MCEC Award Winners

2018 Paraeducator of the Year

Laura Dickinson, Ennis School (nominated by Megan Slevin)

Laura is currently working with students with special needs in K-6th grade. Laura’s colleagues and supervisors described her as always having a smile on her face and her interactions with students and staff are always patient, flexible, and encouraging. She uses her fun sense of humor and personality to engage the students. The kids and staff love her. She is a supporter of the Ennis students not only during the school day. Not only does she their games, concerts, and other activities as a cheerleader, she also coaches Jr. High Basketball. She is a huge fan and the kids notice that. The students trust her, wants to please her and work hard for her. Laura respects all students and knows how to reach them at their own academic and personal levels. She even keeps in contact with students after they move on to upper grades. She is always willing to take on tasks and works well with her colleagues and supervisors. She is able to step in and handle any situation asked of her. She takes in as much professional development as she can. She is often attending workshops and trainings after school and on the weekends. She is always learning new things and applying them to her profession.

2018 Para/ Teacher of the Year

Teacher: Megan Mentzer   Paras: Brandy Loomis, Kati Holtzman, & Heather Peters 

(Nominated by Kevin Flanagan)

This team of ladies is an exceptional team that continually makes the needs of their students their number one priority. Mrs. Mentzer does an amazing job of scheduling everyone’s day and the other team members are very flexible to ensure all students are served. They are always looking to improve their craft, and have gone to many conferences, as well as taken many online courses. They truly care about their students and strive to make positive connections with all of them. I couldn't ask for a better team to work with some of our most challenging students. Beyond that, they make resource room fun! It is the room where kids want to go. Their theme this year was superheroes to represent the students served in the resource room. This team identified the students as the superheroes, but the staff considers the Teacher/Para team to be superheroes. These ladies have found innovative and creative ways of engaging with the students and helping them learn best. For example, they sing Taylor Swift songs with a student while she is completing her work tasks and another Para is teaching a student with autism to play the drum. This team has changed the culture of the school staff for the better.

2018 Leader of the Year

Deb Dorrance, Capital High School in Helena (nominated by Heather Shippen)

Deb Dorrance has been a Teacher for 29 years! Brett Zanto, Principal, shared that Deb along with Para staff of eleven, provide many outstanding opportunities outside the classroom in the community for students. They are about to go swimming at the local pool, view live performances at Grandstreet Theater, or take a ride on Helena’s own Tour Train. Such experience will no doubt allow students to view possible employment options that may be available for a post-secondary career. Kyle Norman, a student, shared that Mrs. Dorrance not only helps get money and take students on field trips, but she also spoils her students with treats. She bakes a lot of stuff. Heidi Foreman shared that Deb’s excitement and enthusiasm have proven to re-energize the Paraeducators in their building and gives staff members something extra to look forward to along with the students. Thetrips have also created an extra sense of pride amongst the staff because they frequently receive compliments about their outstanding behavior of the students on outings. Deb comes up with great ideas for enriching experiences for kids and collaborates with the Paraeducators to ensure the logistics are in place to pull off enriching experiences for the students. Taylor Hassler shared that Mrs. Dorrance has done more than she could even list for their students, and she does it out of the pure goodness of her heart.

2018 Yes I CAN! Student of the Year

Jonas Guenzel, West Yellowstone School (nominated by Megan Mentzer) 

Jonas is a senior in high school. During his time at West Yellowstone, Jonas has overcome his disabilities and learning differences to experience success in the classroom and outside of school He has passions and strengths to guide him through difficult academic subjects. He is an extremely talented artist and has a knack for technology. He is a strong advocate for himself. He has contributed over two hundred hours of community volunteer service through the Boy Scouts of America. He has volunteered to work the West Yellowstone Rendezvous Ski Races where over three thousand skiers from all over the world attend this event. Jonas has also worked the yearly community Thanksgiving Dinner serving food, setting up tables and cleaning up, as well as serving dinner to the Big Sky Kids, a program designed for children and young adults with cancer, on their annual trip to West Yellowstone, and so many more events! Jonas received his Arrow of Light award two years ago and this past summer he earned his Eagle Scout Badge. The Eagle Badge is the highest honor one can achieve while in the Boy Scouts of America. His final project was painting bear paws on the sidewalks for the Historical Society walking tour in West Yellowstone, Montana. Through all this young man’s unwavering persistence, he continues to maintain a 3.7 GPA. Jonas has demonstrated outstanding leadership skills and has added experience to his academic and professional development. He has amazing character and makes a significant impact on our school and community.