Employee Rock Stars

Rock Star

DCSD Rock Stars is a program created that recognizes and celebrates the accomplishments and outstanding work of DCSD employees. Nominated by District leaders, managers, and peers, ‘Rock Stars’ are recognized in INSIGHTS, the DCSD employee newsletter, and receive a small gift from DCSD. 

Is there somebody you would like to recognize? Nominate them by clicking here!
(Note: Nominations are only accepted by DCSD Employees for DCSD Employees)


Robin Vora, 1st Grade Teacher, Soaring Hawk Elementary

In your opinion, what makes this person a Rock Star?

Robin creates the warmest, safest, most loving environment of anyone I know. She encourages kindness and acceptance of all students. Her students thrive and build each other up daily. Her students feel comfortable taking risks and doing hard things with the support of Mrs. Vora. Such a wonderful classroom community!

How have they gone above and beyond?

Robin has joined our Building Leadership Team, as well as our Student Support Team in order to share her amazing ideas to help move our school forward. She is also piloting a social/emotional program and partnering with her fourth-grade "buddy" class to implement this with students.

Nominated by Ryan Stitt, Mild/Moderate Teacher, Soaring Hawk Elementary



Haley LaTourette, Mild/Moderate Learning Specialist, Mountain Ridge Middle School

In your opinion, what makes this person a Rock Star?

Haley returned this year after taking a couple of years off to stay home with her baby girl. Since returning she has jumped right back in and does an exceptional job meeting her kid's needs and supporting her classroom teachers. Haley creates meaningful relationships with her students and will go above and beyond to ensure they have what they need. She makes her classroom a safe environment and creates a community. Haley has been a wonderful addition to our school and we are so happy she decided to return to our school and get back to helping some of our most impacted students learn in the classroom!!

How have they gone above and beyond?

Haley is often seen working with kids at all hours of the day. She will spend her own money to ensure her students have what they need and feel like her classroom is a fun, safe learning space. She is constantly looking at ways to make sure her kids are getting what they need and works with all members of the school to ensure plans and systems are running to help her students. We are so lucky to have Haley at MRMS!!

Nominated by Anonymous, Mountain Ridge Middle School


Braiden Ames, Program Leader, BASE, Pioneer Elementary

In your opinion, what makes this person a Rock Star?

Braiden is great with kids!

How have they gone above and beyond?

Braiden has been helping other BASE programs in need with a staffing shortage. This help provides other BASE programs to serve current and more BASE families. When he is at the program he engages with the kids just as though they were the same kids he serves at his own program. We appreciate him being willing to go anywhere when needed often last minute. Thank you for supporting all BASE families across the district.

Nominated by Denise Nichols, BASE Area Manager



Karen Tarutis, BASE Support Specialist, West Support Center

In your opinion, what makes this person a Rock Star?

Karen's positivity in all that she does is something that others feel when she is at their program and we definitely feel it while in the office. She cares deeply about all BASE kids and staff and finds many ways to support them.

How have they gone above and beyond?

Recently when she was subbing she led the BASE team, in the manager's absence through a challenging situation. Although she was subbing she stayed well after work hours with the staff to ensure they felt fully supported. Her can-do attitude in any situation makes her go above and beyond always.

Nominated by Denise Nichols, BASE Area Manager



Sumer Sandel, BASE Program Manager, Cougar Run

In your opinion, what makes this person a Rock Star?

Sumer is willing to help, has a passion for her kids, and is growing professionally. She creates after-school activities that staff and students have an interest in and coaches and develops their ability to carry them out successfully. This school year they have been working on social-emotional learning, dance, soccer, and many more! Annually she hosts a lights-on after-school family event that invites families into what a typical afternoon looks like at Cougar Club.

How have they gone above and beyond?

Most recently she has had some unique things come up that have really increased her role in student and family support. I appreciate the extra hours and care she is putting into that role. Sumer has also helped her team grow and learn that together it takes a village to provide working families with a safe and fun place for kids to be themselves while exploring and building skills.

Recommended by Denise Nichols, BASE Area Manager



Sara Shriver, BASE Program Manager, Pioneer Elementary

In your opinion, what makes this person a Rock Star?

Sara has been helping at many sites in need of staff to support staffing shortages all while running her current program. She is always willing and very positive!

How have they gone above and beyond?

With our critical staffing shortages, Sara takes on a “we are all in this together” approach. She recognizes the need especially when it's last minute and often empowers her own staff to do this as well. I appreciate all the extra effort that she is putting in to help other base programs for working families. Much gratitude!!

Nominated by Denise Nichols, BASE Area Manager



Kris Hennig, SSN Teacher, Mesa Middle School

In your opinion, what makes this person a Rock Star?

Kris Hennig is always thinking of students first.

How have they gone above and beyond?

She runs Mesa's Project Unified. She teaches art classes after school to adults with special needs.

Nominated by Ervin Bradley, SSN teacher, Mesa Middle School




Cassi Meyers, Professional Learning Specialist, Castle Rock Middle School

In your opinion, what makes this person a Rock Star?

Cassi Meyers is new to us at CRMS and new to the role of PLS. She has jumped right in and is an incredible asset to our school. She works tirelessly in the best interest of students and staff. She continuously supports our staff with professional learning, resources, instructional support, and her wonderful sense of humor.

How have they gone above and beyond?

In addition to her PLS role, Cassi has supported me this past year with my Student Leadership Council. She has worked with my student leaders to create a “Make A Difference” fundraiser and a Day of Volunteer Service in the greater Denver Community. She is also supporting my ALP students with their Independent Project securing community professionals and district educators as panelists for their presentations. Cassi connects with all of us at CRMS, and she gives endless energy to our staff, students, and community.

Nominated by Mary Murphy, Social Studies Teacher, Castle Rock Middle School



Mark Harmon, Assistant Principal, Mountain Ridge Middle School

In your opinion, what makes this person a Rock Star?

Every year brings new challenges and Mark seems to meet those challenges head-on with positive thinking and the ability to support all stakeholders. He always seems to have “5 minutes” (even if it’s closer to 30 minutes) to listen, support, and brainstorm any situation. He follows up with parents, students, and building issues and makes sure the teachers are brought up to speed. He has made a big difference in the MRMS community!

Nominated by Jennifer Cancino, Integrated Wellness Teacher, Mountain Ridge Middle School



Susan Soderholm, Building Sub/Office Assistant, Mountain Ridge Middle School

In your opinion, what makes this person a Rock Star?

Susan is amazing! She comes to work every day with a positive outlook and is ready to tackle whatever needs to be done! She covers classes, fills sub jobs, helps with any office need, and works with kids…she does whatever needs to be done with a smile and a “can do, no problem” attitude! She is an incredibly important staff member and we are so grateful for her!

Nominated by Jennifer Cancino, Integrated Wellness Teacher, Mountain Ridge Middle School 




Dana Godoy, Assistant Principal/Activities Secretary, Highlands Ranch High School 

In your opinion, what makes this person a Rock Star?

From Counselor Yana Bourdelais:

"Can I just tell you what an amazing ROCK STAR Dana is? She came to translate my new enrollment this afternoon and was so helpful and friendly and kind (and did an incredible job in Spanish)! I can't believe how talented she is and how many jobs she juggles right now! I just wanted someone to recognize how much she has been going above and beyond this year.

Dana! You are amazing and we love you and appreciate you SO MUCH! You are the best and thank you again."

From Counselor Bonnie McCarty:

"I couldn’t agree more! She helped translate a new enrollment for me last week. She made the parents and students feel so welcome. She told them if they needed something to give her a call and showed the student how to get to her desk in the Main office. Dana- you go above and beyond! Thank you so much!"

How have they gone above and beyond?

In her first year as an AP Secretary, Dana has excelled at anything and everything thrown her way! She is a perfectionist and never wants anyone to think she hasn't given her very best effort, no matter how big or small the task. Her support of me and others throughout the school makes it feel like she has always been here! She is an integral part of our HRHS Falcon Family, with her energy, infectious laugh, and a driving work ethic that is hard-wired into her soul!

Nominated by Susan Smith, Administrative Assistant to the Principal



Katy Berger, 7th Grade Counselor, Ranch View Middle School

In your opinion, what makes this person a Rock Star?

Katy is a rockstar because she dedicates so much time and care to her students. Katy is a constant advocate for her students and a great asset to RVMS!

How have they gone above and beyond?

She advocates for students, collaborates with coworkers, and diversifies her communication with all families.

Nominated by Tana Kormen, Counselor at Ranch View Middle School



Chandler Simpson, Assistant Principal, Ranch View Middle School

In your opinion, what makes this person a Rock Star?

Chandler is awesome! The best leader I have ever worked with!

How have they gone above and beyond?

A true champion for kids

Nominated by Katy Berger, Counselor, Ranch View Middle School




Kate Fink, Counselor, Ranch View Middle School

In your opinion, what makes this person a Rock Star?

Kate has such a positive attitude and is so friendly and kind.

How have they gone above and beyond?

Kate always is willing to be involved!

Nominated by Katy Berger, Counselor, Ranch View Middle School



Tana Kormen, Counselor, Ranch View Middle School

In your opinion, what makes this person a Rock Star?

Tana connects with kids! She's a great leader!

How have they gone above and beyond?

She’s always willing to help out her staff, students, and parent community.

Nominated by Katy Berger, Counselor, Ranch View Middle School




Jennifer Cancino, Integrated Wellness Teacher, Mountain Ridge Middle School

In your opinion, what makes this person a Rock Star?

Mrs. Cancino goes above and beyond to support her teaching team and her students.

How have they gone above and beyond?

She goes out of her way to help everyone solve problems, be safe, and have fun at school. She has recently bought and hung curtains in our shared space for privacy, supplied drinks for a girl's social group of students during lunch, helped coordinate mints for state testing, she helps manage our lost and found table and connects students with lost items, and she has been a sympathetic ear for those in need.

Nominated by Natalie Osborn, Mathematics Instructor, Mountain Ridge Middle School



Daniel Smith, Educational Assistant, East Transportation

In your opinion, what makes this person a Rock Star?

Daniel is a former student in the Douglas County system who graduated from Parker/Lone Tree Bridge and is now an employee with Transportation. He has developed into a great asset to our department.

How have they gone above and beyond?

Daniel uses our Suburbans to drive to other terminals to assist with route coverage on a daily basis as well as covering our own terminal if needed and always does it with a smile and a very positive attitude. He pre-trips the vehicles, makes sure they are fueled and cleaned, and shows up on time to wherever he is needed. He also attends the Bridge presentation and advocates for Bridge students to consider employment with the district.

Nominated by William Ulrickson, Supervisor - East Transportation



Michelle Rank, Assistant and Registrar, Copper Mesa Elementary

In your opinion, what makes this person a Rock Star?

Michelle has been in the District for 20+ years. She has served in multiple roles during her time and has amassed an incredible amount of knowledge. She is an expert at all things Elementary and I would love to nominate her for a Rock Award.

How have they gone above and beyond?

Because Michelle has so much knowledge, she goes above and beyond every single day to share her knowledge with all of the employees. She wants all of the employees to succeed and all of the students to succeed. She is a ray of sunshine every single day, as she truly and genuinely loves what she does!

Nominated by Ashley Albrecht, Instructional Assistant-Technology, Copper Mesa Elementary



Andrea Kovach, Counselor, Castle View High School

In your opinion, what makes this person a Rock Star?

Andrea is constantly looking out for her peers and students. She is an absolute treasure to be around and brightens a room when she walks into it with her infectious positivity. Andrea models the role of a counselor so effortlessly and is one of the reasons I turn up to work every day!

How have they gone above and beyond?

Andrea is so in tune with her students and the staff around her. She is continuously looking out for others and ensuring they are okay, and if not she figures out their love language and a way to meet a need for that person. For example, getting chocolate for a coworker, taking a task off a teacher's plate, and providing our admin with words of affirmation. There's no stopping her!

Nominated by Emma Hranchak, Counselor- Castle View High School

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NOTICE OF DESTRUCTION OF SPECIAL EDUCATION RECORDS

Special Education records which have been collected by Douglas County School District related to the identification, evaluation, educational placement, or the provision of special education in the district, must be maintained under state and federal laws for the period of five (5) years after special education services have ended for the student. Special education services end when the student is no longer eligible for services, graduates, or completes his/her educational program at age 21, or moves from the district. This notification is to inform parents/guardians and former students of Douglas County School District's intent to destroy the special education records of students who exited special education services as of June 30, 2016. These records will be destroyed in accordance with state law unless the parent/guardian or eligible (adult) student notifies the school district otherwise. After five years, the records are no longer useful to the district, but may be useful to the parent/guardian or former student in applying for social security benefits, rehabilitation services, college entrance, etc. The parent/guardian or eligible (adult) student may request a copy of the records by requesting the records at this link ( Douglas County School District Transcripts and Records Requests ).