Kathy Derks
Transportation

Kathy was nominated for the Golden Apple award by a member of our community. After having worked 15 years in a human resources role, Kathy decided she needed a change. She was hired in September 2015 as a substitute bus driver and quickly received a permanent route that October. She has historically driven the south district route including Glacier Peak High School, Valley View Middle School, Little Cedars Elementary, and Seattle Hill Elementary.

The Golden Apple Award recognizes staff members for their above and beyond service to help create an educational community that ignites a passion for learning where every student is known and empowered along with exemplifying Snohomish School District’s core values of being student-focused, cultivating a culture of belonging, and an equitable, caring environment for others to thrive.

A few years ago, Kathy was asked what she would tell others who were considering or even not considering being a bus driver. At the time, she noted “I was terrified at the thought of driving such a large vehicle, but it is surprisingly easy, and our training program is amazing. I actually love driving that big yellow bus and am still amazed at myself that I can do it … The laughs and high-fives, the stories they share, the crayon drawings and flowers picked while waiting for the bus make it all worth it. This is one job where the positives definitely outweigh the negatives, and it is probably the most rewarding job I have ever had aside from being a parent.”

The nomination expressed that Kathy exemplifies these qualities in the following ways:

“Kathy has been the warm and welcoming face of what it means to go to school here. She greets every student with their name and a smile."

“She greets every student with their name and a smile. At the end of the day, she carefully makes sure that our kids connect with their families – who she also knows by sight.”

“She sets clear expectations for safety, but also goes the extra mile to make sure that the ride is enjoyable, and helps our children start the day with positivity and joy for learning! … We are so grateful that we get to start each day with her!”

Kathy, we are proud to recognize you as the recipient of the Golden Apple Award. Thank you for all you do for your students, staff, families, schools, and community. Congratulations!

Alisa Ashmon
Glacier Peak High School

Alisa was nominated by staff members, students and parents/guardians for the Golden Apple Award. Alisa has been with our district since 2003, when she was hired as a full-time science teacher at Snohomish High School and in 2008, she transitioned to teaching science at Glacier Peak High School for the new school’s opening year. Over her 20 years in the district, Alisa has also been an FFA advisor, a testing coordinator, summer extended learning science and arts teacher, and a credit recovery teacher. She is a biology and animal science teacher at Glacier Peak High School.

The Golden Apple Award recognizes staff members for their above and beyond service to help create an educational community that ignites a passion for learning where every student is known and empowered, along with exemplifying Snohomish School District’s core values of being student-focused, cultivating a culture of belonging, and an equitable, caring environment for others to thrive.

The nominations expressed that Alisa exemplifies these qualities in the following ways:

"Alisa truly wants students to be inspired and empowered. She spends a significant amount of personal time helping find resources and mentors for students and their projects ... If students are interested in learning about something she is not familiar with, she will become educated on the topic order to provide her students with the information they crave."

“She tries to ignite the spark and create fire within her students to help ensure that every single one of her students thrives and reaches their potential.”

"She encourages all students to learn as well as respect each other’s differences, similarities, abilities, and feelings. She has told both students and parents that success doesn’t always mean being the best or winning a competition, but it’s how hard you try and improve upon your own understanding and scores. She promotes being a self-advocate and learning new things by trial and error, yet is always there to provide support, encouragement, and tools to help students succeed in the classroom and in FFA."

"She is very aware that farming is part of the fabric of this community, and she works hard to inspire the next generation of farmers, gardeners, veterinarians, animal groomers, florists, etc. You can frequently find her at one of the area’s county fairs, livestock shows and auctions, in local co-ops, or chatting with a group of long-time community farmers to not only gain knowledge for herself, but to pass on the learnings and connections to her students.”

"Her ‘job’ doesn’t end when the students go home for the day. She works long into the night on holidays and weekends to make sure her students have what they need to succeed, learn, and have fun."

Alisa, we are proud to recognize you as the recipient of the Golden Apple Award. Thank you for all you do for our students, staff, families, schools, and community. Congratulations!

Tiffany Iverson
Emerson Elementary

Tiffany Iverson was nominated for the Golden Apple award by a member of our community. Tiffany has been with our district as a full-time paraeducator at Machias Elementary and now Central Emerson Elementary (Emerson Campus) since 2021. Prior to that, she was a substitute for our district.

The Golden Apple Award recognizes staff members for their above and beyond service to help create an educational community that ignites a passion for learning where every student is known and empowered along with exemplifying Snohomish School District’s core values of being student-focused, cultivating a culture of belonging, and an equitable, caring environment for others to thrive.

The nomination form expressed that Tiffany exemplifies these qualities in the following ways:

"Students, staff, and administrators all appreciate and value her. She volunteers for extra activities for students, and to recognize the work of others. She is dedicated to the advancement of students. She is supportive of her colleagues. She gets to know students and their families."

"Tiffany wears a smile, especially when meeting others. She also knows how to appropriately set limits for students and frequently helps them find better ways to manage behaviors. During the school day, students make positive remarks to her. When students meet her outside of school, they usually greet her with a hug."

Tiffany, we are proud to recognize you as the recipient of the Golden Apple Award. Thank you for all you do for our students, staff, families, schools, and community. Congratulations!

Jordan Johnson
Snohomish High School

Jordan was nominated by community members and parents/guardians for the Golden Apple Award. Jordan has been with our district as a full-time band teacher since 2022. Although she has been a teacher with us for just longer than a year, Jordan is no stranger to our district. Jordan is a 2017 graduate of Glacier Peak High School and was a student at Totem Falls Elementary, Cathcart Elementary and Valley View Middle School.

The Golden Apple Award recognizes staff members for their above and beyond service to help create an educational community that ignites a passion for learning where every student is known and empowered, along with exemplifying Snohomish School District’s core values of being student-focused, cultivating a culture of belonging, and an equitable, caring environment for others to thrive.

The nominations expressed that Jordan exemplifies these qualities in the following ways:

"Jordan’s dedication to the band community extends past the school day, the late practices and performances, and even some weekend activities."

"Jordan makes all students feel welcome and included. Jordan allows students to eat lunch in her classroom because she wants everyone to have a place where they “belong”. One of my favorite things has been watching Jordan with the students at football and basketball games. Jordan doesn’t direct from a distance; she actively participates at these events. When the band isn’t performing, she talks and laughs with the students. Jordan genuinely seems to enjoy spending time with them."

“Regardless of individual student skill levels, Jordan is a talented musician who can differentiate her instruction. Jordan will often play an instrument beside a student who needs more assistance. She offers encouragement and specific feedback to every student. Jordan encourages other growth activities outside the school day. For example, she provides students with the opportunity to participate in workshops and competitions. Jordan also schedules festivals with clinicians that can help the entire band."

"She is passionate, knowledgeable, inclusive and gives her own time and resources on a regular basis."

Jordan, we are proud to recognize you as the recipient of the Golden Apple Award. Thank you for all you do for our students, staff, families, schools, and community. Congratulations!