Ritenour Announces 2012 Teacher, Employee of the Year

April 4, 2012 – The Ritenour School District has selected Lisa Watkins of Ritenour Middle School as the district Diamond Circle Teacher of the Year and Harlon Williams from Iveland Elementary School as the Diamond Circle Employee of the Year. The district also named nine other teachers as Diamond Circle recipients for their respective schools. Diamond Circle Awards are given to teachers and staff that best exemplify the district’s commitment to quality education and service. Awardees are chosen each year by colleagues at their buildings.

Watkins is a reading specialist at Ritenour Middle. Now in her fifth year with the district, Watkins is known as a highly-skilled teacher, committed to helping every student she works with succeed every day.

“Lisa is a dedicated, student centered teacher,” said Ritenour Middle Principal Ken Roumpos. “She has an incredible desire to see all of her students be successful. She is committed to student growth academically and socially. Every one of her students knows that Mrs. Watkins cares about them and their success. She is one of the most gifted educators I have ever known.”

Williams joined the Ritenour School District in 1997 and serves as lead custodian at Iveland Elementary. Honored for his dependability, enthusiasm and positive attitude, Williams is known as a staff member who is always there when needed. “Harlon always has a bright smile on his face and does his work with enthusiasm,” said Iveland Principal Dr. Sandy Wiley. “He has a positive attitude and a tremendous work ethic. He greets students with a smile every day and always makes sure students and staff have what they need to do their best work. Harlon is a wonderful ambassador for Iveland and an integral part of our school family.”

The following teachers are honored as their school’s 2012 Diamond Circle Awardees:

• Janice DiLorenzo, School for Early Childood Education 
• Aaron Winkler, Buder Elementary 
• Tracy Raphael, Iveland Elementary 
• Genevieve Erker, Kratz Elementary 
• Marcy McDowell, Marion Elementary 
• Shiela Youngblood, Marvin Elementary 
• Laura Lewis, Wyland Elementary 
• Wilma Higgins, Hoech Middle 
• Lisa Watkins, Ritenour Middle* 
• Ashley Gregory, Ritenour High School

*Teacher of the year

The Ritenour School District is also recognizing two teachers with special awards:

Gisela Macias, a kindergarten teacher at Kratz Elementary, was selected for the First Class Teacher Award. This award recognizes the district’s most outstanding first-year elementary or secondary educator.

Jennifer Love, a Special School District school psychologist, was selected for the Make A Difference Award. This award acknowledges a staff member for their excellence in working with Ritenour students with diverse needs.

All awardees will be recognized during the district’s annual Honors Dinner on April 25, 2012 at the new Auditorium at Ritenour High School, 9100 St. Charles Rock Road.