Karen Lamb and Mena Dedmon don wigs for Mr. Douglas High School event at the CVIC Hall.
Photo by Ron Harpin.
If distinguished educator was looked up in a dictionary, Douglas High School’s English and Activities Director Karen Lamb’s picture might be next to it.
Lamb was awarded the District Educator of the Year Award during the 2023-2024 Distinguished Educators of the Year Awards last year.
“Some of the greatest people and teachers walk these halls, like our motto in the cafeteria says,” said Lamb. “I know it’s cliché, but it’s true and it’s an honor to be recognized among them.”
Every year the Douglas County School District honors more than 100 teachers and support staff during the annual Distinguished Employee Recognition Awards ceremony. During the August ceremony, 36 total educators, administrators, and support staff were recognized for their hard work and dedication to the district.
“It’s so humbling to be nominated and recognized,” said Lamb. “I was amazed and shocked, because when you are sitting in that room, you know what your colleagues are doing and how hard each of them have worked. Each and anyone of us is deserving.”
Teachers and staff are nominated and voted for recognition by their colleagues. Nominations are then reviewed by committees made up of administrators and the previous year’s winners, who work together to select the award winner.
Lamb is a 2000 Douglas High School graduate. She received her undergrad degree from the University of Reno, and began teaching at Douglas High School as a student teacher in 2005 with World History teacher Ethan Petite and became an official Douglas High School teacher in 2006 as an English teacher. She now teaches English, Journalism/yearbook, leadership, and Freshman Seminar.
“Petite taught me how to be a teacher,” said Lamb. “He taught me things beyond the lesson plans and showed me the little things like connecting with and talking to students.”
Lamb went on to receive a Master’s degree from Western Governors and earned a certification for student activities.
From homecoming, mock interviews, the creation and arrival of the school yearbook, to the leadership programs she and her students are a part of, and the trust, connections, and memories she creates with them; Lamb said some of her best moments as a teacher happen throughout the school year and each day is different from the last.
“I don’t love every moment of the day, but I love every day,” said Lamb. “Each day is filled with success in the classroom, post-its of gratitude, people messing up, taking accountability, and being better the next day, and each show me grace to be me; these are the things I take with me.”
The 2023-2024 Distinguished Educators also included; Minden Elementary School’s Stacia Almeida for Elementary Educator of the Year and Secondary Educator of the Year Award went to Pau-Wa-Lu’s Krystal Koontz. Also recognized were Aspire Academy’s Alecia Rhode, Carson Valley Middle School’s Autumn Thetford, Meneley’s Alicia Hill, Gardnerville Elementary School’s Michelle Baugh, Whittell High School’s Wendy Petty, Jacks Valley Elementary School’s Jackie Hostler, Scarselli Elementary School’s Keri Bruno, Piñon Hills Elementary School’s Ashlie Alexander, and Zephyr Cove Elementary School’s Marisa Besson. Paula Kitchel was the Distinguished Elementary School Substitute Teacher recipient and Nancy Jaureguy was the Distinguished Secondary Substitute Teacher recipient.
Distinguished Support Staff recipients included; Rene Smith from Jacks Valley Elementary School, Lea Morgan of Douglas High School, and Jason Berry from Pau-Wa-Lu Middle School. Aspire Academy’s Stacy Roberts, Carson Valley Middle School’s Angelina Wolf, Meneley Elementary School’s Debbie Wood, Gardnerville Elementary School’s Natalie Pitts, Whittell High School’s Pam Armstrong, Minden Elementary School Kacey Zink, Piñon Hills Elementary School’s Greg Morales, Scarselli Elementary School’s Robin Crittenden, Zephyr Cove Elementary School’s Theo Denson, Douglas Office Tandy Erickson, Facilities’ Eric Pacheco, SNP Stacy Chamberlain, and Transportation’s Wayde Rasberry were also recognized.
Gavin Ward of Aspire, Douglas Nevada Online, and Jacobsen High School was awarded the Distinguished Administrator Award, and Fleet Maintenance Travis Keene was the Distinguished Classified Supervisor Award recipient.
Distinguished Counselor of the Year Award went to Pau-Wa-Lu Middle School’s Katie Emm, Distinguished Service Provider of the Year went to Lauren Spires for her service at Minden Elementary School and Gardnerville Elementary School, and the Distinguished School Volunteer of the Year was Philip Ruffo at Gardnerville Elementary School.
Executive Director of Human Resources Jeannie Dwyer was awarded the Board of Trustees Award for Excellence in Leadership.
Douglas County School District’s Director of Marketing and Communications Hailey Sebahar said past award ceremonies have been held at the end of the school year to align with celebrating achievements over the year.
“Due to COVID, we had to shift it to the fall and that’s when it’s been held since,” she said. “While there has been discussion about moving it back to the spring this year, funding has been challenging.”
The awards were conducted Aug. 28, 2024.
Sebahar said the Education Foundation and sponsors help cover the costs of the ceremony, usually held at the Carson Valley Inn, but additional donations are helpful and needed in making the ceremony possible. For more information, contact Sebahar by email hsebahar@dcsd.k12.nv.us.com or call 775-782-5194 extension 1640.