Ashley Kohlmeier, an English teacher and leadership adviser at Aberdeen High School, has been chosen as the Aberdeen School District’s Teacher of the Year, while Angie Ashe, a longtime bus driver, was selected as Classified Employee of the Year. The awards were announced at the annual employee recognition dinner Monday at Aberdeen High School.
The banquet honors the work of employees nominated by each school and department.
Kohlmeier has been with the district since 2013 and there were numerous stories detailing the impact she has had in the classroom and throughout the halls of AHS, according to a district press release.
Principal Sherri Northington praised Kohlmeier for her “outstanding” work in the classroom and as a role model for students.
“Ashley is a go-getter and supportive of doing good things for AHS,” Northington said. “Bobcat Pride is 365, 24/7 for Ashley and this describes the mentality she brings to her student leaders.”
In addition to her English classes, Kohlmeier has advised the Renaissance Action Team and is currently the Associated Student Body adviser, Northington said. She coaches girls’ tennis, organizes pep assemblies with the ASB and is active in professional activities with fellow AHS teachers.
It also was noted that Aberdeen High School has “won” Food Ball — in which Aberdeen competes with Hoquiam to raise money each November for local food banks — each year since she became a leadership adviser three years ago.
Kohlmeier’s selection as the Teacher of the Year means she is also the district’s nominee for state teacher of the year.
Ashe has been a bus driver in the district for 27 years and provides office support in the Transportation Department.
According to Transportation Manager Ernie Lott, Ashe has been driving a school bus so long that she transported many of the parents of her current students. In all that time, Ashe has maintained a work ethic of 100 percent, he said.
“Students have respect for her,” Lott said. “She is very professional in how she manages them and how she interacts with staff and parents. She is known to go the extra mile to help others.”
Ashe has continued to seek advanced training, having finished a three-year Transportation Management course at Central Washington University and she is a registered school bus driver trainer.
Ashe’s selection as the Classified Employee of the Year means she is also the district’s nominee for state honors. The 2018 honoree, Gayle Capsel, was a state finalist.
Students in the culinary class at AHS prepared the food for the banquet, which was funded thanks to a grant from the Goldberg Foundation.
Individual school awards
A.J. West Elementary School: Kelly Stewart, 6th Grade teacher and coach, and Jasmine Gilmore, a para-educator.
Central Park Elementary School: Jordon Beeman, 2nd Grade teacher and Kelly Bielec, the school’s Learning Resource Center technician.
McDermoth Elementary School: Janie Talevich, 3rd Grade teacher, and Virginia Barragan, a para-educator.
Robert Gray Elementary School: Debra Olson-Rios, Kindergarten teacher, and Sarah Pendergrass, a para-educator.
Stevens Elementary School: Ryan Sturm, 1st Grade teacher, and Breanna Gentry, a para-educator and coach.
Miller Junior High School: Matt Harless, social studies teacher and coach, and Eli Lugo, a para-educator.
Aberdeen High School: Kohlmeier and Mary Clinton, a para-educator.
Hopkins Building: Cyndy Mitby, the district’s preschool coordinator, Patti Jones, a para-educator for Harbor High School/Snug Harbor.
Food Service: Patty Barber, head cook at Robert Gray Elementary School.
Support Services: Doris Daly, administrative assistant in the business office.
Maintenance Department: Robert Parson, custodian for the district office and Central Park Elementary School.
