Katie Estrada, Michelle Nicholls, and Willow Nuno were selected as the Elko County School District’s March Staff and Teachers Achieving Results with Students (STARS) award recipients.
Katie Estrada, a special education teacher at Jackpot Combined School, was nominated by someone who wishes to remain anonymous. Their nomination explained Estrada is a hard worker who puts the education of her students before anything else.
“Katie doesn’t mind using her own funds to make school events happen because she enjoys seeing the children have an enjoyable event,” the nomination read. “The school no longer has a vice principal, and Katie has taken it upon herself to help the principal with those duties. She currently oversees six special education paraprofessionals and works with all her students.”
Michelle Nicholls, a math teacher at Elko High School, was nominated by colleagues Paula Smith and Lori Faiman.
Smith explained Nicholls wears many hats at Elko High School and continues to give 100 percent to all activities and students she is involved with.
“Michelle is an exceptional teacher who teaches in a way all of her students can learn algebra and understand the concepts,” said Smith. “She is patient and kind while making her students feel comfortable asking for help and responding to questions. She has an amazing sense of humor, and the students enjoy being in her class. She is a soccer coach who is loved by her players, and they often seek her advice in other areas of their lives and academics.”
Faiman’s nomination read, “She [Nicholls] demonstrates exceptional classroom management and at the same time teaches and inspires the students to learn with bringing out the best in each and every student. The students respect her as a teacher and a soccer coach. It is a pleasure to go into her classroom as a substitute teacher.”
Nuno, a special education teacher at Adobe Middle School, was nominated by parent Shay Smelosky.
The nomination praised Nuno for her family and parent communication. “She is very good at keeping me updated on his progress and school life, and for a parent that communication is everything.”
Smelosky continued to explain that her son comes home speaking very highly of Nuno, and that he "finally wants to go to school because of how much he likes her.”
“She is so calm and patient and together we collaborate as a true team to help my son succeed in the best way he can. I can tell she really cares about her students and there is nothing more reassuring than knowing that for a parent of a special needs child.”
Recognition of these deserving employees would not be possible without sponsors: LeeAnne's Floral Designs, Maverick Gaming, The Star, and Rotary Club of Elko Desert Sunrise.
Staff, students and the general public are all encouraged to nominate a school district employee who demonstrates exceptional performance and commitment to the education of all students served by the district’s schools.
The nomination form can be found on the STARS webpage on the Elko County School District website.