Making a Difference – February 2025 Nominees

February Making a Difference is here! These students and staff are recognized for showing the Waukee CSD values and exceeding expectations in their daily tasks. HR Manager Maggie Holton and Superintendent Brad Buck help celebrate each nominee by surprising them with a visit and sharing the nominations aloud. Watch to see what great things happen during these visits.

February Making a Difference Nominees

  • Anna Engler – Administrative Assistant, District Office 
  • Billy Pinegar – Human Resource Generalist, District Office 
  • Brittany Smith –  Accounting Specialist, District Office  
  • Cecily Decklever –  Student Services Health Manager, District Office 
  • Darryl Downs – Director of Information Systems, District Office
  • Carol Grethen – Bus Driver, Durham School Services 
  • Kay Heis – Bus Driver, Durham School Services 
  • Grace Steinberger – Brookview Elementary
  • Brett Lovelady – Plumber, Operations 
  • Mark Johnson – Warehouse Specialist, Operations 
  • Annie Brummel – Teacher, Radiant Elementary 
  • Jaclyn Ficek – Teacher, Radiant Elementary 
  • Ashley DegGroote – Teacher, South Middle School 
  • Ava Khoo – Student, South Middle School 
  • Charlotte Maahs – Student, South Middle School 
  • Gabe Sink – Teacher, South Middle School 
  • Jody Nielson – Teacher, South Middle School 
  • Julia Woods – Student, South Middle School 
  • Alissa Beisner – Teacher, Sugar Creek Elementary 
  • Bailey Normandeau – Teacher, Sugar Creek Elementary 
  • Casey Lewsader – Teacher, Sugar Creek Elementary 
  • Meghan Price – Assistant Principal, Sugar Creek Elementary 
  • Michaela Gyure – Teacher, Sugar Creek Elementary 
  • Elizabeth Reels – Teacher, Timberline 
  • Lori Wenger – Nurse, Timberline 
  • Jessica Dodds – Teacher, Trailridge 
  • Samantha Canaday – Teacher, Trailridge 
  • Bailey Kahle – Teacher, Waukee Elementary 
  • Jacob Butler – Student, Waukee Elementary 
  • Angela Hunt – Counselor, Waukee High School 
  • Carly Cairo – Teacher, Waukee High School 
  • Jennifer O’Connor – Librarian, Waukee High School 
  • Kris Hoeppner – Teacher, Waukee High School 
  • Taylor Luther – Teacher, Waukee High School 
  • Jami Lenz – Teacher, Waukee Middle School 

Any staff member who wants to nominate a colleague or student may do so on the District’s intranet. To find the form, scroll down on the homepage until you see the green Making a Difference banner. Students may ask their teachers to help them submit a nomination.