Here are some of the phenomenal people making a difference in our schools:
2018-2019
Alisa Wise – Camas High School Math Teacher Alisa Wise is one of our December Student Wellness All-Stars! During one of Alisa’s routine emails home to families, she took the time to call out that holidays are not always cheerful times – and that she not only understands, but is also on hand to help and offer up resources. This powerful acknowledgement of holiday wellness underscores Alisa’s constant healthful lifestyle and her many efforts to bring more bodies into the triathon-training fold
Jeanie Moran – Lacamas Lake Physical Educator Jeanie Moran is taking her wellness approach in yet another fun and functional direction, focusing now on connections. For the holidays, Jeannie is reaching out to several past students with “hugs and kisses” in a baggie and a personalized mitten-shaped note from a former Lacamas teacher. In her email to her colleagues about the project, Jeanie hit home her wishes, saying, “Hope you’re finding time for connections EVERYWHERE. It tis the season!”
Wendy Weese – Bus driver Wendy Weese is definitely a Wellness All-Star – she always goes out of her way to make kids feel welcome and seen! On the first day of school, for instance, when a new rider was confused and upset, Wendy found a way to calm her down and get her where she needed to be. The student said the bus driver was a bright spot to that day.
Stephanie Grandits – A personal trainer and mother, Stephanie offers Mission Fit Mama classes through Camas Community Education. Steph welcomes parents/guardians, community members, and staff to bring their baby/toddler or come alone to meet new friends and have fun while getting in shape. She hopes to add fitness classes to support staff wellness in the near future.
Olivia Eagle – Olivia Eagle is leading the charge in developing the Family-Community Resource Center at the Jack, Will & Rob Center. The goal is to help all students be successful by providing them with supplies and connecting families to needed resources and services. The vision of this center is a hub for people to come together and help each other. Olivia’s leadership is making a difference. If you’d like to learn more, contact Olivia.
2017-2018
Marilyn Oltmann – Besides being a FANTASTIC para-educator at Skyridge Middle School, Marilyn Oltmann’s colleagues appreciate her for her special, innate gift of sensing when kids are struggling emotionally or socially. Marilyn consistently has her pulse on the overall wellness of her students. What’s more, says Sky Counselor Jessica Loren, she makes a concerted effort to directly connect them with the counseling team. “Her intuition is always spot-on!,” says Loren. “I love Marilyn’s approach to working with kids: she’s so kind and caring while holding kids responsible and keeping them accountable. She is a true asset and such a gem to Skyridge Middle School. Marilyn, we really appreciate you!!!”
Bonnie Noble – “Bonnie is a wellness rockstar at Hayes Freedom High School,” says Principal Amy Holmes. Bonnie, part of the Hayes kitchen staff, creates an environment of wellness for her students and coworkers with her consistently sunny and positive disposition. Her energy and positivity radiate out of the kitchen along with the music she plays for the students during breakfast and lunch. “You can see the joy she gets from ensuring our students have healthy and tasty food so that they have the fuel for learning,” says Holmes. Bonnie is also known for her loving way of customizing foods for students who have unique needs. Her students say that what makes her so special is that “We are more to Bonnie than just a group of kids. She is unconditionally giving and caring to each one of us as individuals.”
Tre Carlisle – In February 2018, CHS Senior Tre Carlisle conceived and carried out two informational sessions for soon-to-be secondary students called “Navigating the Transition to Middle School.” Knowing that it can be difficult for middle school students to balance both school and sports, Tre, a varsity athlete, shared tools and resources for moving up mindfully. Attendees took part in group discussions, team-building exercises, and learned confidence-building tactics.
