The school year may be coming to an end, but these Ohio students and teachers are still working hard in the classroom! Check out our April Partners in Education Academic All Stars and Teachers of the Month.

Our first Academic All Star is
Gwen Gojevic. Gwen is in the fourth grade at Westview Elementary School. She is known as a role model with a can-do attitude. Gwen participates in Choir, Yoga, Kids in the Community, and Student Council. Teachers say this about her: “Gwen smiles throughout her day, works hard to accurately accomplish tasks, and does not give up when presented with a challenge.”
Camryn Hemmelgarn is our next Academic All Star. Camryn is a Senior at Turpin High School and is described as a very special young lady; she is a great leader and role model. She is the president of the Kind Club, captain of the Varsity Cheerleaders, member of the Mock Trial team, and student aide in the Media Center. She strives to make sure all students “feel good with themselves.”
Zahia Mills is our next April Academic All Star. Zahia is in the fourth grade at Oxford Elementary School. “She puts her all into her work,” says Intervention Specialist, Lynne Gains. She works to independently solve problems and is a curious reader.

Our next Academic All Star is
Israel Mujibi. Israel is in the first grade at Hamilton Elementary School. He is described as a star student. First grade teacher, Mrs. Fisher, said, “Israel is one of the most caring students. He is kind to everyone, encourages his classmates, and praises them when they do well. He helps people in need by sharing his supplies or assisting students when struggle with various activities and assignments.”

Our fifth Academic All Star is
Jaliyah Mixon. Jaliyah is a Junior at East Palestine High School. She is described as “a great student with notable attendance and flawless behavior”. Jaliyah is involved in a variety of extra-curricular activities. She is a member of the Varsity Girls Basketball and Track teams. She is involved in Student Council as Class President, Science Club, and is a member of National Honor Society. She also attends Science Camp and YSU Youth Leadership Summit.
Ryan Turner is our sixth April Academic All Star. Ryan is in the eighth grade at Edison Middle School. He is described as a model student and an extremely hard worker. Ryan is a member of the Basketball and Baseball teams, and he maintains “stellar grades”. He is also an active member of his church. Mrs. Self is Ryan’s teacher, and she said, “Excellence is strived for in all that he does! He is the most polite and respectful student you would ever have the pleasure of meeting.”
Leigh Crites is our first April Teacher of the Month. Leigh teaches fifth grade Science and Social Studies at Morrison Gordon Elementary School. Alicia and Joel Porter are the parents of one of Leigh’s students. They said, “Leigh is an excellent Science and Social Studies teacher. [Our] son has excelled in her class because of the way she engages the students.” Leigh coordinates a camping trip to Hocking Hills each year to show students how water, rocks, and trees shape our landscape.

Our next Teacher of the Month is
Bonnie Sansenbaugher. Bonnie teaches STEM, Environmental Science, Biology, and Oceanography for grades 9-12 at East Palestine High School. Along with being described as an “amazing and engaging high school science teacher”, Bonnie is known for her involvement in her school and community. She is the co-founder of the Science Club, organizes the summer Science Camp, the advisor and supervisor for Student Council, and has coached Volleyball, Basketball and Track. Bonnie was selected to participate in the Appalachian Regional Commission/Oak Ridge National Laboratory Math-Science-Technology Institute and was published in Science & Children magazine along with another teacher. She volunteers at Dog Days a Day of Giving and Park Board activities.
Marian Stephens is our next Teacher of the Month. Marian is a Title One Reading Specialist for grades 2-4 at Oxford Elementary School. She is described as someone who “students and staff look forward to seeing each day because she is always smiling and positive.” A fellow staff member said, “She energetically teaches Reading, coaches teachers, mentors others in the building, manages the Scholastic Book Fair, and coaches Student Council.”

Our fourth Teacher of the Month is
Brandon Thomas. Brandon teaches Agricultural Food and Natural Resources for grades 9-12 at Liberty Union-Thurston High School. He is known for spending hours before, during, and after school helping students. Cortni Brunty has a child in Brandon’s class, and she had this to say: “Mr. Thomas has personally helped my kid find her voice and be confident in herself.”
Congratulations to all of our April Partners in Education winners! Keep up the amazing work!
You can nominate an outstanding student or teacher for Academic All Star and Teacher of the Month
by
Clicking Here. Nominations are due by 5:00 p.m. on the 10
th of every month.