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Greater Nevada Credit Union Awards Greater Hearts of Washoe County School District
Earlier this week, we celebrated the winners of GNCU’s annual Greater Hearts of Washoe County School District (WCSD) awards.
As a part of Teacher Appreciation Week each year, we ask WCSD employees to nominate their peers for the positive impact they have on their students and schools, This year, we received more than 200 nominations for employees from all over the school district, including staff in transportation and capital projects as well as counselors, administrators, and teachers.
The five winners each receive $500 to donate to the school or classroom of their choice, along with two tickets to enjoy an upcoming Reno Aces game in the Greater Nevada Field Suite!
Congratulations to all the winners and thanks to all WCSD staff for their hard work and commitment to helping more people Live Greater in our communities.
Check out the nominations for each of the winners below:
Brian Farrow – Wooster High School
This WCSD employee goes above and beyond in every job he does. Mr. Farrow spends countless hours out of contract supporting Wooster’s students athletes, and coaches. He continually works to make sure that coaches and athletes have all the things they need on practice and game days. From water jugs to uniforms to cash boxes and uniforms ordered, Mr. Farrow makes sure it is done. Mr. Farrow works tirelessly to improve athletics at Wooster High School, this year alone he has cleaned, organized, and improved the equipment room. He removed years’ worth of junk and had Wooster art students come in and paint the cabinets with murals that represent each sport. He had more art students come into the office and paint a mural representing the colts on the wall. Mr. Farrow also brought back the Wooster Hall of Fame banquet after years of not having it. He worked with staff, alumni, and community members to pull of the event. The event had awards, dinner, and a raffle with over 100 attendees. Mr. Farrow is also the high school’s social media manager. He makes sure that all the happenings and going-ons are posted and shared for the whole Wooster community to see. Parents, students, and staff enjoy seeing all the events shared. Mr. Farrow truly makes a huge difference at Wooster High School.
James Greg Canfield – North Valleys High School
They are the most compassionate dedicated teacher I know who would do anything for his students.
Most Supportive Band Director
Most supportive teacher, positive, great role model.
Most supportive band director I could’ve ever asked for.
They are the most compassionate dedicated teacher I know who would do anything for his students.
Great Band director, Great leader, Best Teacher I have ever had.
Helps out every section, transposes when we’re puzzled when he’s talking in a different key, shouts out measure numbers in case were lost, reminds us nicely when we play a wrong note.
Nicolette Andrini – Depoali Middle School
Señora Andrini has been employed by WCSD for 23 years. She started by teaching after school Spanish at Hunsberger, Gomm, and Caughlin Ranch elementary schools. From there, she received her sub license and began teaching at the after-school programs at Corbett and Loder. And for the past 18 years, she has been teaching Spanish at Hug High, Wooster High IB, and now at Depoali Middle School. She offers the Credit By Exam to her 8th graders and has had a 100% pass rate, meaning these students move to 9th grade with high school credit. She goes above and beyond in the classroom, and behind the scenes lobbying for education. She is an officer for WEA and a Director for NSEA, working to better education for the entire state.
Amber Hageman – Lena Juniper Elementary School
Amber is the heart of all the incredible things that are happening at Juniper. In her time at Juniper, she has been a special education assistant, an ELL assistant, an emergency sub when needed, and art teacher whenever asked. In the past two year alone, she has spent her summers painting murals on our walls to welcome students and adding foursquare, chutes and ladders, and other games she can paint on our unfortunate concrete playgrounds. Not only that but she has taken a family of newly arrived refugee students from Afghanistan under her wing. It is incredible to have the privilege to watch these four children begin to communicate with others and smile and laugh now that they feel safe at our school. Amber has made such an enormous impact on every student and teacher at Juniper and is so deserving. We are even lucky enough that she is spending her nights going to school to become a licensed teacher so she can impact even more students.
Tracy Shannon – Swope Middle School
Ms. Shannon is our Culinary Arts Teacher at Swope Middle School and has developed a program that all students wish to participate in before they exit our school. Ms. Shannon works to provide students a hands-on experience for her students where they cook on a weekly basis. She has conducted an annual Gingerbread House fundraiser in partnership with the Reno Tahoe Airport. Students create gingerbread houses which are displayed at the airport and travelers donate funds based on which creation they like the best. The donations are then given to a non-profit to help support their needs. Many community programs and families have benefited from these donations including the Adaptive Riding Center, the Eddy House, and local families in need.
