Staff Performance Awards

Erin Brenner, a 6th-grade teacher at Yellow Breeches Middle School, was nominated by Danae Klock.

“I would like to nominate Erin Brenner for her outstanding dedication to her students and educating young minds. Erin is an exemplary educator, often taking new teachers under her wing to share her pearls of wisdom with them. Erin is dedicated to making a difference in students, and she is astute to seeing and understanding the needs of students both on a personal level and for student ability and achievement. She notices deficits and concerns and brings them to the attention of those who need to know and can help provide interventions. Erin is dedicated to making a difference for her students. She is an active participant on our Student Assistance Program Team; she has prioritized improving her own teaching and engagement strategies by taking a graduate course, and she has taken it upon herself to provide a spelling intervention for students in need of improvement in this area, all while being a busy mom of 5. She is a student’s biggest cheerleader—her encouragement of students and their successes helps students feel seen and heard, which is essential for 6th graders as they transition to middle school.”

Melissa Vincent, a Kindergarten teacher at W.G. RIce Elementary School was nominated by colleague, Susan Lutz.

“I am proud to recommend Kindergarten teacher Melissa Vincent for the SPA award recognizing her outstanding service to our school. Melissa consistently goes above and beyond in her role, creating a classroom where learning is joyful, engaging, and meaningful for every student. She has a remarkable ability to make her students feel safe, heard, and valued, while also holding them accountable for their own behavior in a supportive and respectful way. Melissa’s genuine love for her students shines through in everything she does, and the incredible experiences she provides will leave a lasting impression—she is truly the kind of teacher her students will remember forever.” Erin is dedicated to making a difference for her students. She is an active participant on our Student Assistance Program Team; she has prioritized improving her own teaching and engagement strategies by taking a graduate course, and she has taken it upon herself to provide a spelling intervention for students in need of improvement in this area, all while being a busy mom of 5. She is a student’s biggest cheerleader—her encouragement of students and their successes helps students feel seen and heard, which is essential for 6th graders as they transition to middle school.”

Emily Yu, Learning Support Teacher at Iron Forge Educational Center, was nominated by Amanda Windhausen.

“Emily is deserving of this year’s Staff Performance Award because she emulates compassion and support. Not only does Emily go out of her way to support all the students at IFES, but she also jumps in to support her coworkers, too. When she is not actively scaffolding, adapting, and modifying to meet the needs of a diverse group of learners, she is actively researching new techniques and tools. In addition to excelling at her special education position, she has taken on the role of co-leader of the Student Advisory Committee. Daily with a smile, Emily puts forth exceptional effort to make sure every member of the IFES community receives an equitable opportunity to grow and learn.”

Jennifer Eichenmiller is a special education teacher at Boiling Springs High School. She was nominated by Dr. Erin Pittman, Riley Artis, and Victoria Harris.

Dr. Pittman said “Jen is a special education teacher that goes above and beyond daily for our students and our staff! She is constantly checking in with new teachers to ensure they do not need assistance and providing it when needed. She has presented several new ideas and tricks of the trade in our professional development and faculty meetings, always the educator! She has a passion for learning and supporting our students. Recently, she also supported some of our students in presenting at the state level at a conference on teaching and learning methods that proved successful in the classroom.”

Riley Artis added, “Jennifer continues to make a significant impact on her students and colleagues. She fosters an inclusive, student‑centered classroom through effective differentiation, innovative problem‑solving activities, and high‑quality math resources. Her strong technological skills enhance instruction, leading to enrichment opportunities such as multi‑step escape rooms with visual supports, connections to prior knowledge, and creative tools like songs to reinforce key algebra concepts. She consistently adapts these activities to meet diverse student needs.”

Victoria Harris said, “Jen is the kind of educator who makes a lasting difference, not just for her students, but to her entire school community.” She is brave and thoughtful in her teaching, always willing to try new ideas and take instructional risks in service of better learning. Jen consistently looks for meaningful ways to modernize her practice, whether that’s integrating new technologies like virtual reality to help students truly visualize and practice skills in real-world scenarios, or rethinking math instruction to create a more student-led structure that supports learners at different ability levels, or teaching her colleagues to utilize AI-supported tools for students through a professional development presentation. Beyond her professional strengths, Jen is a joy to work with. She is kind, positive, and deeply genuine in her interactions. If you’ve ever had the chance to talk with her, then you know what I mean. Jen creates meaningful educational experiences for students and fosters a culture of curiosity and growth among her colleagues, making her truly deserving of this recognition.”