Kelly Newell and David Bormann were honored for 15 years of service with Westonka Public Schools
Click the above image for more photos from the May 2 celebration
May 8, 2025 — Westonka Public Schools staff and retirees gathered May 2 at the Westonka Performing Arts Center for the annual district recognition event. Emceed by Special Services Director Dr. Emily Rustman and School Board Clerk Loren Davis, the morning program honored staff who had reached years of service milestones, celebrated the building and district Teachers of the Year, recognized the 2025 winners of the Ann Bremer White Hawks Award for community volunteers, and bid farewell to retiring staff.
Long-time staff honored for years of service
The district proudly recognized long-time staff members who reached significant service milestones:
15 Years of Service: David Bormann, Kelly Newell
20 Years of Service: Andrew Atkinson, Charlotte Behrendt, Melissa Bray, Amanda Bruckner, Natalie Buelow, Siiri Burmeister, Sarah Fritz, Cathleen Gallus, Leanna Koepp, Nicole Landon, Sarah Morinville, Melissa Murphy, Jennifer Naslund, Doug Runke, Renae Schlechter, Matthew Sobiech
25 Years of Service: Jennifer Bormes, Corey Bulman, Molly Carlson, Mara Drill, Christopher Leclaire, Jessica Lunski, Brent Reinbold, Theresa Schmidt, John Wardlow
30 Years of Service: Kristin Wallace
35 Years of Service: Laura Collins, Mark Femrite
40 Years of Service: Pamela Garvais
Westonka celebrates Teachers of the Year
Outstanding educators from each school building were honored as 2024-25 Teachers of the Year, selected by their peers for their excellence and dedication to student success.
In his address, Assistant Superintendent for Teaching and Learning Mark Femrite praised the honorees:
“It is truly an honor to celebrate one of the most meaningful recognitions we, as a school district can give—Teacher of the Year. It reflects gratitude, recognition and lifting up the incredible work being done by many in our classrooms every day.”
“Today, by highlighting the building and district Teachers of the Year, we celebrate all Westonka educators,” Femrite added. “Thank you for your gifts, your perseverance, and your unwavering commitment to our students. You are the reason Westonka continues to be such an exceptional place to learn and to grow.”
Building Teachers of the Year
- Wendy Richards, Mound Westonka High School
- Libby Ackerson, Grandview Middle School
- Alyssa Kanive, Hilltop Primary School
- Lindsai Djerf, Westonka Early Learning
Westonka Teacher of the Year
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Sarah Wright, Shirley Hills Primary School
Sarah Wright has served as a speech-language pathologist at Shirley Hills Primary School since 2008. “I’ve watched [Sarah] in IEP meetings with families and the way she gushes over her students’ progress is so heart-warming," one of Wright’s colleagues shared. "She loves her speech kiddos and advocates for them fiercely. I love to hear her speak of her ‘graduating from speech’ students because, while she is proud and excited for them to exit, you can tell how much she will miss her time with them.”
Upon receiving her award, Wright was invited to the stage to share a few words:
Speech therapy requires a level of trust and vulnerability that only comes with taking the time to build strong relationships and helping students develop a growth mindset. As a part of therapy, I need to help students identify and understand WHY they come to speech group. That there are skills they can’t do… YET.
The YET is huge.
We are often working in inchstones, slowly making our way to skills that they are working to master. I truly believe that everyone deserves a voice and do what I can to help all my students achieve that.
Sue Rodelius, BeLikeTommy Project honored for service to Westonka Schools
Superintendent Kevin Borg and Westonka School Board Vice Chair Heidi Marty presented the 2025 Ann Bremer White Hawks Award to Sue Rodelius and the BeLikeTommy Project, recognizing their outstanding service to Westonka Schools.
Sue Rodelius, a tireless volunteer, has supported Westonka students for nearly two decades—most notably through her leadership with the Mound Wrestling Organization (MWO), where she served 18 years on the board, including several as president.
"This morning, I have the privilege of honoring someone whose contributions have not only helped shape our athletic programs but whose spirit of volunteerism has quietly and powerfully strengthened our school community," Marty said.
Rodelius' efforts have helped raise over $10,000 annually for MWO through events like golf tournaments, omelet breakfasts, and the fan-favorite “Rent a Wrestler” fundraiser. She has also volunteered in the district’s baseball and football programs and served as a sports photographer, capturing cherished moments for student-athletes and families.
The BeLikeTommy Project was created in memory of Tommy Nash, a Westonka student who tragically passed away from sudden cardiac arrest in 2021. Initially focused on raising awareness and safety around sudden cardiac arrest, the initiative has funded lifesaving AEDs, provided heart screenings and promoted heart health within the Westonka community. Today, its mission has evolved to spreading kindness and joy, carrying forward Tommy’s legacy.
“Quietly, the BeLikeTommy initiative inspires other individuals to show an act of kindness,” Borg shared. “From there it multiplies and grows - individuals inspiring families, families helping communities - through each act of kindness, joy is shared and kindness grows. And with that, their mission is being met, as we all can strive to bring joy and kindness to others and … be like Tommy.”
Westonka bids farewell to retirees
To close out the program, Westonka recognized the 2024-25 Westonka retirees. The two retirees in attendance, preschool educational assistant Mary Jo Kuehn and Hilltop Primary School fourth grade teacher Craig Schmidt were recognized by their supervisors and thanked for their service to Westonka Schools. Also recognized were retirees Karen Fischer, Brenda Hentges, LuAnn Sing-Lynch and Roger Whaley.
[View slides from the celebration]
