Professional Employee of the Month

Philip Welder, Mott ES Music Teacher

Mr. Welder works hard for his Mott Owl Family, providing care, quality instruction, and assistance wherever he is needed. He is always willing to help his special team members out as well as other teachers and staff and does so with a smile on his face.     

Mr. Welder engages with staff and students with genuine interest and kindness. He tells great stories, connects with everyone, and always has a positive outlook. He runs the 4th and 5th grade Choir after school and takes his choir on field trips to perform, he also prepares performances for our school award ceremonies.

He is fully engaged in the Climate and Culture Committee at Mott, where his input is valid and helpful. He is so humble, while still stepping out to ensure the best is done for the students and staff.     

Mr. Welder works with every student on campus weekly. He knows the needs of his students, and provides them wholeheartedly. If he sees a struggle, or sees a student needing a pick me up, he is there for them. He's willing to meet with parents, come up with a plan, and execute it to ensure student success. He has brought out the confidence and talent in many, and I hope he continues to do so at Mott for many more years to come. 

Overall, he is an amazing teacher and Pflugerville ISD is very grateful for his dedication to the students, the staff and this district.  

Support Employee of the Month

Patricia Yanes, Education Associate/Life Skills, CHS   

Mrs. P., as we call her, has been an inspiration in her team leadership.  She has shown me that ropes as a new team member and I feel very comfortable in my position because of her willingness to help me succeed in this role. 

She always shows me to keep a positive attitude despite some of the struggles throughout the day and she keeps a smile on her face.  

Although our class is separated into 2 different classrooms, Ms. P. ensures that work is put together for both classes.  She continues to work with me and the new EA to ensure that we are kept up to date with new activities.  She always supports the teacher in a positive way by helping with paperwork when needed.         

I have great admiration for Ms. P.  This is my 2nd year at Connally and I have learned so much from her, through her actions and the way she is able to communicate with the kids. I don't know how long I will be here, but I hope to continue to learn and grow with her guidance.

Overall, she is the best. She has built a great relationship with our staff and Pflugerville ISD is very thankful for her dedication to our students, the staff and our district. 

Guest Educator of the Month
Silviana Lopez, GE, Spring Hill ES

Ms. Lopez has been a valuable asset to our team. She gets along well with the other team members and is a great communicator.        
Despite the crazy antics that come along with working in a bilingual ECSE classroom, Ms. Lopez always arrives with a smile and has a positive, can-do attitude.       

She has taken it upon herself to learn our schedule so that she never has to wait to be told what to do. She has quickly built a rapport with the students so she can easily help redirect as needed. She is eager and willing to learn not just the what but the why of our program, philosophy, and teaching strategies.        

Ms. Lopez is a refreshing change as guest educators go and she is not afraid to come back to the land of the Littles.

Overall, we are very fortunate to have her in our district and furthermore, as part of our Guest Educator Team. Pflugerville ISD is very thankful for her dedication to our students, staff, and this district. 

Professional Employee of the Month

Laurie Kirven, River Oaks ES Teacher

Ms. Kirven has always gone above and beyond to help wherever needed. Whether it's providing support to help with LAS or benchmark testing, substituting when necessary, covering a teacher who is running late, or working on additional tasks with a teacher who needs help, Ms. Kirven is always there as a team player, helping wherever there is a need.

Laurie Kirven is one of the most positive people you will meet. She has had to endure a lot in the past year in her own personal life, but she comes to school with a smile on her face and she greets each teacher, student, and situation with a positive attitude and a growth mindset. She is the first to ask you about how you are doing, and she makes each student feel special and smart when they come to her group. Laurie is the type of person you want to have near you when the going gets tough, because that's when she gets going! Ms. Kirven is the best example you could ask for when you think about those who represent the Pflugerville Pfamily and the mission of PfISD.      

Ms. Kirven is a reading interventionist, but she is so much more than that title. She is a friend, an advocate, an ELA curriculum specialist, an ESL wizard, a testing guru, and a master of lesson planning. Laurie Kirven has dealt with numerous personal challenges in the past few years, but through all of those times she has continued to go above and beyond to help with whatever tasks need to be done. When new students come to our school, Ms. Kirven helps to do LAS testing for them. When someone is out and a substitute is not available, she willingly helps in that classroom to ensure the students are not losing a day of learning. She has been known to stay after school for hours each day on many weeks to work on the most detailed lesson plans you've ever seen. She performs morning and afternoon duties daily to make sure our students arrive and leave safely. She truly goes above and beyond every single day.

Overall, she is an amazing teacher and Pflugerville ISD is very grateful for her dedication to the students, the staff and this district.   

Support Employee of the Month

Kameron Davis, Assistive Technology Specialist   

Kameron is always ready to help in any and every situation. She will jump in when she sees anyone needs support, and will also make sure everything is okay. Recently, I discussed needing to get resources for a student (not assistive technology) and she immediately asked what was needed so she could help. When she found out I was starting school again, she called to give me tips and offered to help guide me through anything I needed. So not only does she help our team with actual work things, but also personal things. This helps create a dynamic, supportive, and comfortable work environment that leads to better serving not only students but also each other.

With a smile, she calls it like it is. She laughs with you in the bad days and helps lift you up. She is legitimately spreading sunshine and shining light wherever she goes while also staying in reality and working to improve things. I always know I can rely on her for making my day a little brighter, and I know others feel this way too.

Kameron works for every campus in the district. She is one, solo, assistive technology specialist. I know other districts split that into multiple positions. Where I moved here from, it was an “all hands-on deck” job that fell into everyone. I say this to point out how massive this role is, how demanding it is, and how involved it is. However, she is able to do the job with efficiency and a smile. I cannot emphasize enough how much she does not only for her work duties, but also on a personal level. She reaches out and ensures we are all okay and able to do our roles with success

Due to Kameron doing a very niche job completely by herself, I often fear her efforts go unnoticed and undervalued. However, she is an important member of our team and our district and I want her to understand how valued she is by those who know her and see (even from a distance) how amazing she truly is. 

Overall, she is the best. She has built a great relationship with our staff and Pflugerville ISD is very thankful for her dedication to our students, the staff and our district. 

Guest Educator of the Month
Shauna Weatherby, GE, Caldwell ES

Shawna exemplifies the spirit of teamwork. She has effortlessly stepped into a high needs area on our campus to serve as a long-term substitute in a special education classroom. This particular position requires a great amount of teamwork. When unexpected challenges arise, Shawna is the first to help find solutions and lend a helping hand. We can always depend on Shawna to show up when help is needed and to support a fellow staff member. Although her title may be “guest” educator, she has quickly become an essential part of our Caldwell community and is seen as a valuable member of our team. We truly feel that we couldn’t do it without her and are so appreciative of her dedication.

It is Shawna’s positive attitude and genuine passion for education that truly makes a difference. Shawna's infectious enthusiasm for the subject matter inspires curiosity and encourages students to actively engage in discussions and activities. It is evident that Shawna genuinely cares about the academic growth and well-being of each student, going out of her way to offer additional support and encouragement where needed.       

Shawna came into our SCS classroom to serve as a substitute EA. She was not at all deterred by the demands expected by an employee in this setting and quickly decided our SCS room was her new home and became a regular, daily substitute. When the classroom teacher had to go out on medical leave, Shawa stepped up and willingly took over the management of the classroom. She has helped to plan lessons, problem-solve with other staff members and has provided a happy, safe and stable environment for the students in the room.

I believe that Shawna's contributions to our school community should be celebrated and recognized. Her positive attitude, professionalism, and dedication to student success embodies the values that we strive to instill in our students every day. We are grateful for the opportunity to have worked alongside such an exceptional educator and look forward to welcoming her back in the future.

Overall, we are very fortunate to have her in our district and furthermore as part of our Guest Educator Team. Pflugerville ISD is very thankful for her dedication to our students, staff, and this district. 

Professional Employee of the Month

Melissa Galindo-Sifuentes, Rioja ES 3^rd Grade Teacher

Mrs. Galindo-Sifuentes, is an amazing team player. She is constantly sharing her ideas for ELA and SLA. Her passion for reading and writing extends to sharing even her strategies with her team to benefit all students. She is part of the Diversity Committee, and she is always willing to help in any way she can.

Mrs. Galindo-Sifuentes lights up when she talks about ELA and SLA. When the team is planning, her positive attitude fosters a productive environment that helps them use the time wisely, and assists in making lessons that are engaging with in-depth content.

I read a quote by William Arthur Ward that read as follows, "Teaching is more than imparting knowledge; it is inspiring change. Learning is more than absorbing facts; it is acquiring understanding." She is the perfect sample. She has high professional expectations for herself and her students. She knows where her students, where they need to be, and she knows that her determination and their hard work will get them there.

Mrs. Galindo-Sifuentes is passionate about DL education, and she is proud to be a DL educator. She coordinates the UIL DL for our campus and is always ready to help and support not only her team but every staff member that needs support.

Overall, she is an amazing teacher and Pflugerville ISD is very grateful for her dedication to the students, the staff and this district.  

Support Employee of the Month

Rick Molinar Jr. Ruth Barron ES, EA Gym

Rick is always going above and beyond for the kids, especially when the main gym teacher isn't there, and he is all alone.

He always greets those kids EVERY single day, starting off their gym experience with a smile and is constantly there to care for them in times of need or if they are having a bad day.

Besides his job/given duties, "Coach Mo" goes out of his way to really get to know every child and their stories to better serve them in times of need or when they are having a hard time.

As an EA, he already doesn't get paid much, but he always steps up. The main gym coach is out frequently leaving Mr. Molinar with a sub, or in most cases by himself or with another Specials teacher. He is left to care for and look after 3+ classes frequently and goes above and beyond for these kids and goes the extra mile. He takes his time getting to know these kids and is always wanting a smile on their faces. Education is all about the students and every day he remains a positive light in each of these students' lives.

Overall, he is the best. He has built a great relationship with the students and our staff. Pflugerville ISD is very thankful for his dedication to our students, the staff and our district. 

Guest Educator of the Month
Liza Davila, GE, Kelly Lane Middle School

Liza is seriously one of the best guest educators we have in PFISD. She never complains about covering additional classes and dives right in to any sub plan left for her with true attention to detail.

She can always be seen with a smile on her face and a willingness to take on whatever is thrown at her. She will come and get a clear understanding of the assignment, so she can fully support the classroom. Her attitude is phenomenal.

She is not just a warm body in the room, she is the TEACHER. She is my preferred guest educator every time I leave campus because I know her attention to detail, her ability to follow all classroom expectations, and connections to students far surpasses the expectation of a Guest Educator.

It is comforting to know that I have someone who will come in and truly embody the expectations you set for your classroom. Ms. Davila deserves this award and needs to know how valued she is and how much she is needed as a Guest Educator.

Overall, we are very fortunate to have her in our district and, furthermore, as part of our Guest Educator Team. Pflugerville ISD is very thankful for her dedication to our students, staff, and this district. 

Professional Employee of the Month

Neely Allgood Pflugerville ES Assistant Principal

Neely supports countless areas on our campus by providing learning, positive-based discipline, and communicating effectively with students. She encourages and models for you in ways in which you can take ownership of the teams in which you participate. She encourages collaboration and models effective teamwork and communication. I have learned so much from her suggestions and guidance.

She embodies the "whole person" approach to students and staff alike. She actively checks in on you, not just as a staff member, but as a person. Situations come up and are resolved quickly and effectively, and she will always end by asking how you're feeling and if you're okay. She does that tricky feat of being incredibly positive while not making you feel that you have no space to feel discouraged.

Even with an impossibly busy schedule, Neely has come into my classroom to offer to take over for a bit if we need a break. She sets up treats in the staff lounge and if she knows you don't have a conference or lunch soon, she will come to your room and send you to enjoy it for a moment. She has a servant's heart and always goes the extra mile, and we appreciate her so much.

Overall, she is an amazing AP and Pflugerville ISD is very grateful for her dedication to the students, the staff and this district.  

Support Employee of the Month

Lisa Westbrook – SPED Accounting Specialist

Lisa works tirelessly to ensure everyone in SPED has what they need. There is no task too big or too small! She oversees the acquisitions of all SPED purchases and deliveries, which is a huge responsibility.

She always has a big smile on her face, and it is contagious! She treats everyone with equal respect. Her workload is heavy, but she makes it look easy. Lisa is never too busy to answer a question or give assistance.

Lisa is willing to do whatever SPED needs to be successful, across the entire district. From booking meeting rooms, setting up events, submitting POs, timesheets, and mileage forms- she does it all! She once went to a campus to personally deliver toner and ensure it was the correct model.

Lisa is a huge asset to our SPED department and we could not succeed without her!

Overall, we are very fortunate to have her in our district and, furthermore, as part of our Administrative Staff. Pflugerville ISD is very thankful for her dedication to our staff and this district. 

Guest Educator of the Month

Linda Hodges Murchison ES

Linda is someone who will jump in whenever we need to move a sub to an unexpected, last-minute assignment and we can't thank her enough for that!

She is known for saying "you can give me anything (to do)" and we know that she can do it, from jumping in to help at the front office, to laminating for teachers, or cover 3 different classrooms in a day ...

She is at MES 90% of the year; if she is switching between two assignments in the day and has a few extra minutes she will go and cover lunch duty (which is nobody's favorite assignment) or she will assist in the PreK classroom and do it all with a kind, big hearted smile.

Linda is a retired teacher who obviously did not give enough love to all the children in 30 years of teaching, so she continues to give to our children. 

Overall, she is the best. She has built a great relationship with the students and our staff. Pflugerville ISD is very thankful for her dedication to our students, the staff and our district. 

Professional Employee of the Month

Sue Ann Decuir Science Curriculum Coordinator

Our C&I team has had significant turnover in the past 2 years, but Sue Ann has been a welcoming and knowledgeable teammate for all of us newbies. Sue Ann makes herself readily available to any other Curriculum teammates who need help finding an answer or understanding a policy or practice within our department. Sue Ann has also been a leader in collaborating with our partner departments in Academics, especially with Integration Services, SPED, and Multilingual department Coordinators and Specialists. Sue Ann is committed to doing whatever is best for teachers and students in PfISD.

Sue Ann always answers the phone with the warmest and friendliest greetings! Sue Ann is often seen wearing a mask, but she always pulls it down to flash you a big smile when passing by. She's one of the first to arrive to the Admin Building each morning and one of the last to leave each evening, but she always comes back the next day ready to go!

Sue Ann has been working tirelessly this semester to update the Science and Health to align with updated TEKS. For Sue Ann, this has meant countless hours spent in evenings and on weekends, outside of her normal work times, to produce K-12 curriculum maps and resources for over 10 different subjects across the Science and Health content areas. Once Sue Ann made the decision to retire in December, she did not shy away from completing this daunting task; instead, she has remained steadfast in her mission to update curriculum through the 4th 9 weeks by the time she leaves PfISD at the end of the semester.

She is a team member that always shows up for the job and her team members. She has offered continuous support and encouragement to her students, the students on campus, and her coworkers. She makes the work place a safe space.

Overall, she is an amazing coordinator and Pflugerville ISD is very grateful for her dedication to the students, the staff and this district.  

Support Employee of the Month

Krista Perez – Executive Administrative Assistant

Krista makes herself available for whoever needs help. She is around to work the front table at PD. She helps other administrative associates on projects their working on and more. Timmerman ES was having a Veteran's Day assembly in which they were doing something special for the principal. They wanted everybody in the assembly, hence needing someone to cover the front office. They did not ask for solutions. The team called Krista directly and asked her to come over. They knew she'd make herself available. The same day another campus was having an assembly and knew they'd be busy checking parents in. They did the same thing. They called Krista because they knew she'd be there to help things run smoothly for them.

Krista has never told me she could not do something, even when it would be tough. Her new office space makes her accessible to many team members and because of her old role, they often rely on her to carry out "duties from the past". Whenever she can, she still willingly assists and if she can't she helps them find a solution. Parents often relay to me that her willingness to listen when they call with concerns is what gives them comfort as we try to problem solve. They know that they can call her back and she will respect them in their time of need and will help and listen to them as the problem is being worked out. I was recently told by a parent that they didn't know.

Because of my late nights and involvement in an organization that benefits PfISD and other surrounding districts, Krista wanted to help me because of her dedication to me. Additionally, she thought the work the organization was doing was important. I told her she could not volunteer because I didn't want any blurred lines. She joined the organization! A principal is trying to order something and his bookkeeper is struggling with the purchasing process... Krista walks them through it from contacting the vendor to contacting the PfISD finance department. She's come to know annual "practices" of mine and is prepared for them without me asking her to.

One principal is searching for an Administrative Assistant. He asked, "Do you think Ms. Krista would want to come work here?" I was at first offended but thought, "Who wouldn't want her? She's amazing". After telling him NO! he asked, "Do you know anybody like her?" The team of principals who have to rely on me, the Assistant Superintendent she assists, have come to depend on her. There's not a week that there's not a comment made about her helping someone and taking care of business. One principal said, "She keeps me out of trouble.

"Overall, we are very fortunate to have her in our district and furthermore, as part of our Administrative Staff. Pflugerville ISD is very thankful for her dedication to our staff and this district. 

Guest Educator of the Month

Dorcas Tomesek Wieland ES (Pre-K)

Dorcas or "Ms. D" is all in for every single one of our students in PreK and across the whole school. She has subbed every day in PreK since the beginning of the year, and now transitions between two PreK classes, balancing the needs of each class. She supports the teachers in whichever role is needed that day; the leader, the supporter, the organizer of materials, or the theatrical fun one that makes learning fun for our students. She even thoroughly enjoys lunch duty and requested she stays in the cafeteria at that time!

Ms. D radiates joy, and finds beauty in everything, even on hard days. She really fosters loving, supportive relationships with everyone she encounters and uplifts all around to be better teachers, students, and people. Ms. D teaches kindness every day and helps to build kind little people that can go out into the world and be kind to others. In our class she reinforces daily we are a school family, that love and care about each other. She greets everyone enthusiastically in the morning and lives by her motto "Til the end!" She gives every day 110% until it is time to go home. PreK thrives on her energy and invigorates the teachers and other EAs to lead with the same level of energy as well Ms. D really steps into the leadership role well, especially managing a challenging classroom with a teacher out on medical leave. She plans and thinks about the kids every day, usually sharing new ideas and organizing fun projects for the kids the next day. During nap time, we have many students that do not nap. She engages with them and uses that time for enrichment and building connections with the students. She would much rather eat her lunch talking to the kids and playing games with them instead of sitting quietly in the lounge alone.

She also dresses up (almost) every day according to the theme of our PreK curriculum. Stories and nursery rhymes of the week come to life, usually culminating in some sort of theatrical retelling. She "reads the clues" and anticipates the teachers' needs; setting up table centers, planning a small group center, redirecting the class back to the topic at hand, setting up creative centers, and contributing to fun events such as bringing a crock pot and ingredients to make "stone soup," or mason jars for floral decor for our Grand-people day celebration.

Overall, she is the best. She has built a great relationship with the students and our staff. Pflugerville ISD is very thankful for her dedication to our students, the staff and our district. 

Nov 2023 Professional Employee of the Month

Kayla Maldonado -EA SPED Teacher Mott ES

She is always willing to do not only her part, but assist other team members with their part. She is communicative with the SPED team and ensures that everyone is on the same page about each student. She communicates time changes and allows each team member to reschedule ahead of time and respects the related service team’s time and commitments. She has offered her own supplies and supports to assist others in their job responsibilities.  

She keeps a positive attitude throughout the day regardless of what is happening. When a student has a behavior, she handles it appropriately and continues the day with a positive outlook. If something does not go as planned, she is ready to change the plan and makes everyone around feel at ease. She consistently keeps her composure and encourages the other staff members.  

She has supported her students and been ahead of the curve with every need her students have. She reached out for the necessary supports and accommodations for each student. She also is willing to assist her team members with tasks that do not specifically relate to her or impact her. she is in constant communication with her students’ parents and includes the related service and SPED team.

She is a team member that always shows up for the job and her team members. She has offered continuous support and encouragement to her students, the students on campus, and her coworkers. She makes the work place a safe space.

Overall, she is an amazing teacher and Pflugerville ISD is very grateful for her dedication to the students, the staff and this district.  

Nov 2023 Support Employee of the Month

Shari Thorn – Executive Assistant for the Board of Trustees

She, consistently maintains a remarkably positive attitude when handling phone calls from upset parents, community members, and teachers. Her dedication to treating every individual with respect, ensuring they are directed to the appropriate resources for assistance, and following up to confirm resolution demonstrates her unwavering commitment to exceptional service.

Her workload is notably demanding, serving NINE different bosses, including the Superintendent and Chief of Staff. Despite this, she diligently tends to their needs, always making each of them feel like their concerns are her top priority. Her unwavering dedication and approachable demeanor are invaluable assets in fostering a positive and productive working environment.    

"She is a hidden gem within our organization, quietly but profoundly contributing to its success in ways that often go unnoticed. While she may not always be in the spotlight, her behind-the-scenes efforts are undeniably integral to our daily operations. Shari plays a pivotal role in ensuring the well-being of our Board members, the seamless execution of our Board meetings, and the provision of compassionate assistance to those who reach out in distress.

It's not uncommon for organizations to celebrate individuals who achieve remarkable feats, coordinate noteworthy events, or raise substantial funds for a noble cause, yet sometimes, the unsung heroes who consistently show up, day in and day out, providing essential support to maintain the organization's vitality, can be overlooked. Shari embodies this understated dedication.

She brings a sense of order and efficiency that is invaluable to our organization. She guarantees that our Board members are cared for and that our Board meetings are conducted smoothly and professionally. Her warm and compassionate approach to addressing concerns and inquiries over the phone is a source of comfort to those in distress. 

Her contributions may not always make headlines, but they are the foundation upon which our organization's success is built. She is, without a doubt, an unsung asset to Pflugerville ISD, and her tireless dedication deserves our recognition and appreciation." 

Overall, we are very fortunate to have her in our district and furthermore as part of our Administrative Staff. Pflugerville ISD is very thankful for her dedication to our staff and our district. 

Nov 2023 Guest Educator of the Month

Angelina “Angie” Salazar Springhill ES

Angie comes in almost every day to support our vacant EA positions. She is always checking in to see what help we need and where. She is not just a sub to us- she is willing to help as a full staff member with whatever is needed!    

She is always a joyous and positive presence when she is on our campus! Our kids (and staff) are always happy to see her and love it when she comes to help them.

When she is here, she works like she is a full-fledged staff member and not a sub. She is always asking what else she can do to help lighten our load. She also learns what the students like and will bring them little things that will be motivating for them to work for!

Overall, she is the best. She has built a great relationship with the students and our staff. Pflugerville ISD is very thankful for her dedication to our students, the staff and our district. 

Oct 2023 Professional Employee of the Month

Heather Blamey - Timmerman ES PE Teacher

When you think of a team player, Heather is who you should think of. Every morning she is out front opening car doors and welcoming students to school. When students get out of the car upset, she calms them down and gets them to their classroom within minutes of their arrival. She then teaches her gym classes throughout the day before returning to parents' pick-up at the end of the day in the hot sun, smiling and checking in on parents in the pick-up line. When our system had flaws, Heather met with the admin team to find ways to make our system better and continued to enhance our system until we got our end of day dismissal down to roughly 20 minutes.   

Since I have been at Timmerman, I can honestly say I have never heard anything negative from or about Heather. If she's not loving kids and encouraging them, she is loving staff members and encouraging them. Her positive energy is felt around campus in everything that she does.

When you think about, above and beyond, duties for Heather, the one that sticks out the most is her spearheading dismissal, but outside of that, this is her first year as a PE Teacher. Heather most recently taught 2nd grade and has been in the classroom, but now she is our PE teacher and we already see her bringing in new and innovative ways to make sure we get our PE minutes, but also make sure our staff members get active, as she has also taken on the campus wellness coordinator.      

Being a new staff member at a campus is tough whether you are a new teacher or new admin, but Heather not only welcomes the current staff members, she welcomes them all. As we as a district think about passionate service, we should strive to have more people who embody the qualities of Heather, as she is truly a hidden gem.

Overall, she is an amazing teacher and Pflugerville ISD is very grateful for her dedication to the students, the staff and this district.  

Oct 2023 Guest Educator of the Month

Jeanne “Nanie” Smith Caldwell ES

Nanie is at CWES almost every day, whether she is subbing in a classroom or volunteering.  She is always helping and asking staff what she can do to assist them, which makes her an amazing team player. 

Nanie is the definition of positivity.  No matter the situation or concern, she is always there with optimism and providing solutions to help assist.

Nanie comes in every morning and assists us with our crosswalk because we currently do not have someone hired for that position. She also has been helping cover classrooms and be additional support for them while they are completing the BOY testing.

I believe Nanie is very worthy of this nomination. She is known on campus as everyone's grandma due to her love and care for the staff and students.

In a nutshell, she is overall the best. She has built a great relationship with the students and our staff. Pflugerville ISD is very thankful for her dedication to our students, the staff and our district. 

Oct 2023 Support Employee of the Month

Melissa Ostoja – Caldwell ES Admin Support

Melissa is open-minded and will work with anyone on any task that is needed to help the school be successful.          

Melissa is always smiling and cheerful.  She greets everyone who walks into the office with special attention and care.    

Melissa is fluent in Spanish, and often provides translation services for the nurse and administration on a regular basis. She is someone that we can always count on.

Melissa is a hard worker and works until everything that needs to be accomplished is completed, whether or not that item is strictly part of job her description or not, she will ensure that it gets done.

Overall, we are very fortunate to have Ms. Ostoja in our district and furthermore, as part of our Support Staff here at Caldwell ES. Pflugerville ISD is very thankful for her dedication to our staff and our district. 

May 2023 Professional Employee of the Month
Maryann Camacho: Dessau Middle School

With 15 nominations for the month of May, here are just a few of the great things that some of Ms. Camacho’s team members had to say about her; she communicates very well regarding her students and goes above and beyond to ensure that families are involved with their children's learning. She consistently greets her students and coworkers with a genuine smile and uses restorative practices in her daily lessons to help grow and sustain positive relationships.

In the ELAR department, she sets goals, keeps morale high, and effectively directs our team.  When you meet her, you will assume that no one can be that genuinely upbeat and positive, but she's all that and more! She motivates others with her genuine winning spirit! She always has a smile and a kind word to share with others. She is one who advocates for her students and tutors during her lunchtime. "Having her on TEAM DMS makes a huge difference! The DMS family can attest to how much input and behind the scenes work she contributes to our DMS community. She's devoted to helping whenever and wherever she is needed. In addition to that, she is constantly and patiently explaining technology strategies, tutoring educators on best practices, giving her time and expertise all over the campus. When our DMS family gets bogged down in confusing concepts, she clears the muddy waters and checks on us down the road. She does all of this with grace and selflessness." She's insightful, encouraging, enthusiastic, and an incredible problem-solver.

Overall, she is an amazing teacher and Pflugerville ISD is very grateful for her dedication to the students, the staff and this district.  

May 2023 Support Employee of the Month
Espy Mena: Rowe Lane ES Crossing Guard

Ms. Mena is one who enjoys working closely with others. As a crossing guard, she gets to see all the children come through every single morning, making her a great team leader for our organization. She is a dedicated team member who is well known at Rowe Lane ES. Due to her excellent team-oriented personality, everyone at the school, including the children, knows Ms. Mena.

She comes in every single morning ready to work with a great smile on her face and such a positive attitude that is very contagious to others. She always makes eye contact with all the kids and parents and ensures that she tells the kids to have a great or wonderful day. She will call them sweetie. The kids will come up to her and call her by her name and give her a hug. I have never seen her NOT smiling. All the kids love her and will say hi and wave to her because she is just so joyful to be around. She recognizes the importance of being a positive influence for children and knows that she is the first thing they will see in the morning, so her radiance is what will hopefully brighten their day. She strives to hopefully change their attitude when they cross that "crosswalk" threshold and "have a great day".

Safety is our number one priority for our children and she recognizes the importance and knows that we must keep that as our priority. She ensures that all of our children are kept safe every morning. She communicates effectively with her partner and anyone that is waiting to ensure that no one moves out of turn, whether it's the cars or the kids and always performs her duties with a high degree of accuracy.  She is very impressive at her job.

She’s a trustworthy member of our team who is consistent, dependable and someone who takes care of a BIG part of our future. The love and nurturing effect she has helps their attitudes change when she welcomes them every morning and it's such a positive thing to know that we have her as part of our team. This school is lucky to have someone who we can rely on to make these kids so happy from the get-go. She is overall just a great person.

Overall, we are very fortunate to have Mr. Mena, in our district and furthermore, as a Crossing Guard at Rowe Lane ES. Pflugerville ISD, is very thankful for her dedication to our staff and our district. 

May 2023 Guest Educator of the Month
Kendra Hack: Mott ES Guest Educator  

Ms. Kendra Hack was nominated as Guest Educator for the month of May by one of the parents whose greatest importance is the education of her children.

She stated “I would like to nominate Ms. Hack for being a great teacher to the Kinder class at Mott ES, she offered to ensure these little ones had a teacher after having the class bounce around from 2 different teachers and offered them stability.”

She is an amazing and super supportive guest educator who is extremely helpful towards these children. She also has a great line of communication with her parents.

Ms. Hack is a great team player who always performs with a positive attitude and goes above and beyond her initial assigned duties.

In a nutshell, she is overall the best. She has built a great relationship with her students. Pflugerville ISD is very thankful for her dedication to our students, the staff and our district. 

April 2023 Guest Educator Employee of the Month
Valerie Cantwell: Jessica Carpenter Elementary

Valerie has been selected as our April Guest Educator Employee of the Month. Ms. Cantwell has been with the district since 2010.

Her peers described her as someone who deeply cares for the students and is always flexible. She goes above and beyond what is asked of her and has built a great relationship with the staff and students. 

April 2023 Professional Employee of the Month
Mimi Winkler: Timmerman Elementary School 1st Grade Teacher

Ms. Winkler has been selected as the PfISD Professional Employee of the Month for April. She steps in whenever needed and is always willing to do whatever it takes to get the job done.

She has been described as a first-rate leader and steps in whenever she is needed. She has been teacher of the year several times and is just absolutely amazing.  

 April 2023 Support Employee of the Month 
Chris Turner: Connally High School SpED Behavior EA

Mr. Turner is a team player who is always looking out for everyone around him. A great role model for our students and staff and someone who is always there to lend a helping hand. 

His presence with the entire school body is one that is welcomed. He loves helping out, whether it's sports, behavior or just making everyone smile. CHS is fortunate to have Mr. Turner.  

March 2023 Professional Employee of the Month
Monica Guerra: Cele Middle School  Counselor

Monica works diligently alongside her AP and with her 6th grade team daily to provide a seamless atmosphere of both academic and social-emotional support. She meets the definition of a team player perfectly and I am grateful to work with her as well as be part of our Cele Colt Counseling team.

Monica also urged and helped organize a coat donation drive during our first cold weather snap. Thanks to her initiative, students without coats can come to our office to get a coat any time throughout the year. Monica truly is priceless to our campus's positive culture.

March 2023 Support Employee of the Month 
Estella Alvarado: Support Services Custodial Staffing

Ms. Alvarado is always assisting with our department's issues and helping come up with solutions. She is not afraid to step up out of her role and help in a different capacity. 

She is an amazing person to be around and we are fortunate to have Estella as our staffing specialist. Furthermore, we are very thankful for her dedication to our staff and our district.

March 2023 Guest Educator Employee of the Month
Tracy Thomas: Jessica Caldwell Elementary

Ms. Thomas is always willing to lend a hand when subbing at our campus. She is a positive light and always finds good in the things around her.

She is always the last sub to turn her stuff in because she always makes sure that the kids are where they need to be at the end of the day. The students all love her and we all respect her.