Riverdale staff earn district award nominations

Congratulations to three of our Riverdale staff members! In-building guest teacher Tiffanie Mahan was nominated for the Guest Teacher of the Year award, speech language pathologist Courtney Dunham was nominated for the Strengths in Action-Focus on Students award, and media technician and BASE site aide Cathy Orth was nominated for Classified Employee of the Year.

In March, employees from across the district nominated fellow staff, volunteers and community members to earn these annual awards for going above and beyond to elevate student success.

Mrs. Mahan said, "I’m incredibly honored to be nominated for the Adams 12 Five Star Schools Substitute/Guest Teacher of the Year award. Thank you so much to the colleagues who thought of me and took the time to nominate me. One of the things I love most about this role is the opportunity to spend meaningful, small-group time with students each week during Imagination Station, building real connections. I also truly enjoy stepping into classrooms, getting to know students more personally, and learning about their unique interests and personalities."

Mrs. Dunham shared, "My favorite thing about being a part of the Riverdale team is the focus on prioritizing students’ needs to foster their sense of academic belonging. I love that in my role I have the opportunity to build relationships with students from all grade levels with a variety of strengths, interests, and needs. I feel so lucky to be a piece of the Riverdale community!

Finally, Ms. Cathy reflected, "My favorite part of my dual roles is watching the students grow in confidence and sense of belonging. Whether they are discovering a new favorite book series in the library or mastering a new skill during BASE activities, I love that I get to be one of the consistent, supportive faces for them from the start of the school day until the moment they head home."

Mrs. Mahan, in her second year at Riverdale; Mrs. Dunham, in her sixth; and Ms. Cathy, who's worn many hats in her long tenure at Riverdale, are so deserving of this recognition! 

From left are Tiffanie Mahan, Courtney Dunham and Cathy Orth.