Celebrate with us as we honor our 2026 Thrive Award recipients! This annual celebration recognizes the outstanding efforts of our staff, whose dedication is the heart of our success. The Thrive Awards highlight our shared commitments to belonging, communication, support, wellness and learning. A heartfelt thank you to everyone who submitted nominations this year, helping us shine a light on the staff whose contributions make Meridian a community where everyone thrives.
Community Builder Award
Brett Muskavage
School Counselor at Meridian Middle School
(Left to right): Assistant Superintendent Dr. Kurt Harvill, Superintendent Dr. James Everett, Teacher Steve Palmer, Counselor Brett Muskavage, Principal Robert Kratzig and Assistant Principal Jill Hammack.
Belonging at Meridian means being honored, valued, and heard and Mr. Muskavage brings that commitment to life every day. Through his work in classrooms, clubs, and schoolwide leadership, Mr. Muskavage intentionally creates spaces where students feel safe to share their beliefs, explore identity, and grow through understanding.
Mr. Muskavage skillfully facilitates courageous conversations, ensuring every voice is treated with respect. He challenges students to examine multiple perspectives and engage with empathy helping them learn not just what they believe, but why, and how their words impact others. When students bring forward concerns or experience bias, Mr. Muskavage responds first with compassion, then with thoughtful action.
Beyond individual relationships, Mr. Muskavage builds systems of belonging. From strengthening club structures to co-leading the Student Advisory, he helps design opportunities where student voice leads to meaningful change. One colleague shared, “Mr. Muskavage fosters belonging not through slogans, but through systems, relationships, and courageous leadership.”
Students know this, too. As one put it, “No matter the occasion, Mr. Muskavage will listen, support you, give you advice, and encourage you. He is an amazing role model and someone I think everyone should look up to.”
Honorable mentions (tie):
Life Skills Team at MMS (Brian Quillen, Corri Hall and Selina Fajardo Valdovino): “Each day they promote unity within our school as a whole by promoting inclusion for differently abled students among their peers. This team demonstrates understanding and respect for every individual and their unique abilities. They honor and value each individual student, their needs, abilities and perspectives.”
Mars Chambers, Bilingual Paraeducator at MHS: “Mr. Chambers has developed positive relationships with students, teachers and administrative staff. Due to his bilingual skills, they trust and rely on him: students go to him with different issues, whether academic or social/emotional. He’s patient, kind, and motivated to help students succeed.”
Inspiring Educator Award
Steve Palmer
Science Teacher at Meridian Middle School
Mr. Palmer exemplifies what it means to be an educator who not only believes deeply in students, but builds systems and practices that help them reach their fullest potential. He holds a high bar for learning while never compromising relationships or a sense of belonging. His expectations are clear, consistent, and grounded in the belief that every student can grow and excel. Mr. Palmer believes in students so they can believe in themselves.
In his classroom, discourse is active. Students use physical signals to build on, agree with, or respectfully challenge ideas, creating what he calls a “volleyball, not tennis” discussion, ideas move across the room, not just between teacher and student. No one hides in his class. Mr. Palmer ensures every student is accountable and supported. He meets students where they are, builds from their strengths and cultivates a true culture of error where mistakes are examined, not judged.
One student shared, “Mr. Palmer is an inspiring teacher for many reasons but one main one I want to share is his dedication. I remember being in his class and I would struggle on the assignment. I don’t think I even needed to raise my hand. Mr. Palmer just knew that I needed help. And would sit with me and help me out until I fully understood.”
Mr. Palmer also embodies continuous improvement. He is constantly reflecting, refining, and innovating his practice. His commitment to growth sends a powerful message: great educators never stop learning. Mr. Palmer is not only inspiring because of what he accomplishes in his own classroom, but because of the ripple effect he creates across Meridian Middle School.
Honorable mentions (tie):
Attosa Balas, TK Teacher at IRE: “She creates a classroom environment where our son feels a genuine sense of belonging and is celebrated for who he is, no matter what kind of day he is having. His confidence has grown, his positive self-talk has improved, and he is proud of himself.”
Jordan Wolcott, First Grade Teacher at IRE:“The way that Mr. Wolcott really gets on the students level, talks to them with a tone of guiding respect rather than authoritarian, and how he shows genuine interest in who his students are as individuals. It creates an environment so warm that even the kids inside the tightest shells start to break free of them. He gives them a space to feel accepted for exactly who they are and shows them how to use their unique perspectives to grow their minds.”
Communication Excellence Award
Daisy Valladares
Registrar at Irene Reither Elementary
(Left to right): Dr. Everett, Registrar Daisy Valladares, Principal Tyler Dockins and Dr. Harvill.
Good communication is about far more than sharing information, it’s about connection, trust and making sure every family feels welcomed. Ms. Valladares brings this commitment to life with incredible heart and a contagious joy that lifts everyone around her.
This year, Ms. Valladares personally reached out to more than 100 families to ensure interpretation was available for conferences so every family could fully participate in their child’s learning. Because of her care and follow‑through, families didn’t just receive messages they felt invited into a meaningful partnership. As a bilingual staff member, Ms. Valladares creates a warm bridge for Spanish‑speaking families, sending a clear and consistent message: you belong here, and your voice matters.
Her impact extends well beyond conferences. As a member of the attendance team, Ms. Valladares connects with families when students miss school, sharing important information with compassion and genuine care. Through ParentSquare messages, phone calls, and in‑person conversations, she builds trust while keeping communication open and supportive.
Within the building, Ms. Valladares is equally treasured. She supports staff by helping bridge language gaps with families and does so with positivity and a smile that puts everyone at ease. Because of Ms. Valladares, communication becomes connection, and strengthens the IRE community.
Honorable mention:
Cynthia Richardson, Technology Integration Coach: “She is always dependable and goes above and beyond expectations. She always has a positive attitude and can be depended upon to return emails quickly. Cynthia pushes herself to a high level of professionalism that is inspiring to those she works with.”
Together We Thrive Award
MP3 SLP Teacher Team: Glenda Elgersma, Jeff Caraco, Janet Giesen, Sara Kurashige and Sara Warnock
(Left to right): Principal Michelle Siadal, Glenda Elgersma, Jeff Caraco, Janet Giesen, Sara Kurashige, Sara Warnock, Abby Hays and Dr. Everett.
The Student Learning Plan teacher team at MP3 embodies the heart of the commitment support by showing what’s possible when staff, families and students work in true partnership to nurture success for every learner. Through intentional collaboration, this team has built strong, trusting relationships with families, recognizing that students thrive best when home and school are united.
By hosting parent instructional workshops, they open doors for families to better understand academic expectations and gain practical tools to support learning at home. These opportunities don’t just share information, they empower parents as confident partners in both academic growth and social‑emotional development.
Beyond instruction, this team goes above and beyond to ensure students and families feel supported. They collaborate closely with one another, responding thoughtfully to individual student needs and building a strong, coordinated network of care. One colleague shared, “Their dedication to fostering inclusive partnerships and ensuring all students have access to the resources and support they need truly reflects the meaning of Together We Thrive.”
Honorable mention:
Erin Groen, Food and Nutrition Coordinator: “She intentionally connects with kids coming through the lunch line and they know she cares about them. So it’s not just the delicious, nutritious food (although I sure appreciate that part, too!). It’s the fact that she sees and connects with kids as people and shows them the staff are here to support all their needs.”
Wellness Champion Award
Nate Button
Special Education Teacher at Meridian High School
(Left to right) Dr. Harvill, Assistant Principal Rob Zabel, Principal Shaun Doffing, Nate Button and Dr. Everett
Wellness at Meridian means creating an environment where students and staff feel physically safe, emotionally supported, and socially connected and Mr. Button exemplifies that commitment every single day. In every role he takes on, Mr. Button centers people first. Whether supporting students across classrooms, leading collaborative work with colleagues, or stepping into leadership when it’s needed, his calm, steady presence helps make Meridian a place where care and trust are felt daily.
Mr. Button works intentionally to remove barriers for students. He ensures accommodations are delivered with dignity, builds confidence through self-advocacy and teaches practical skills like stress management, organization and emotional regulation. His impact goes far beyond academics, students feel believed in, respected and safe because of him.
Mr. Button’s influence extends across the building. He strengthens staff wellness through collaboration, sharing effective practices, and reminding us that we are collectively responsible for student success. One colleague shared, “He is a constant, reliable presence in our building, and both staff and students know they can count on him without hesitation. His commitment to fostering a safe and supportive environment is evident in the relationships he builds and the trust he earns across our school.”
You’ll often find Mr. Button supports others during his non-teaching time by checking in with a student, assisting a colleague, or problem-solving with care and patience. Through consistency, compassion, and advocacy, Mr. Button nurtures the physical, social, and emotional well-being of our community.
Honorable mention:
Abby Hays, Kindergarten Teacher at MP3: “Through her dedication, Abby creates an environment where students feel physically, emotionally, and academically safe. Her impact is evident in strong student engagement, positive relationships, and a classroom culture grounded in care and respect.”