LHUSD Staff Recognition and Awards

2022-2023 Teacher/Staff of the Year Awards
The online nomination phase was open this winter. We received many nominations for each of our categories and for each of our sites, and selections were made difficult because all of the nominees were excellent and deserving.
Please join us in congratulating our 2022-2023 honorees.
District Teacher of the Year: Lisa Morgan, Oro Grande Classical Academy
Teacher of the Year (school-level):

Havasupai Elementary

Jamaica Elementary

Nautilus Elementary

Oro Grande Classical Academy

Smoketree Elementary

Starline Elementary

Thunderbolt Middle School

Lake Havasu High School
Rookie Teacher of the Year

Michael De La Cruz
Smoketree Elementary
Support Staff Member of the Year

Erin Horvath
Human Resources
Prior Years Honorees
2021-2022 Teacher/Staff of the Year Awards
Staff Member: Beronica Garcia, Paraprofessional - Smoketree
Rookie: Gino Inzalaco, PE - Oro Grande
Teachers: Devin Mann, Havasupai; Kelsey Gibbs, Nautilus; Athena Cota, Smoketree; Andrew Branchik, Jamaica; Theresa Nigg, Starline; Rebekah Rangel, Oro Grande; Nissa Harris, Thunderbolt; Nicole Gray, LHHS
District Teacher of the Year: Nissa Harris, Thunderbolt Middle School
2020-2021 Teacher/Staff of the Year Awards
Staff Member: Gail Kulp, District Office - Human Resources
Rookie: Illa Carvajal, Smoketree Preschool
Teachers: Julie Johnson, Havasupai; Kristen Friesz, Nautilus; Trish Fligg, Smoketree; Jamie Thuneman, Jamaica; Christina Musselman, Starline; Nicole Brown, Oro Grande; Dustin Blake, Thunderbolt; Michelle Burke, High School
District and Mohave County Teacher of the Year: Christina Musselman, Starline Elementary
2019-2020 Teacher/Staff of the Year Awards
Staff Member: Danny Morgan, FSP, Oro Grande Classical Academy
Rookie: Megan Meraz, Thunderbolt Middle School
Teachers: Amy DePuydt, Nautilus; Bobbi Nelson, Havasupai; Sue Falzon, Smoketree; Andrea Montes, Jamaica; Bridget Hagest, Starline; Stephanie Holmes, Oro Grande; Jeff Young, Thunderbolt; Larry Olsen, High School
District Teacher of the Year: Andrea Montes, Jamaica Elementary
2018-2019 Teacher/Staff of the Year Awards
Staff Member: Tammie Dutton, Nurse - Thunderbolt
Rookie: Beka Kent, Oro Grande
Teachers: Trisha Konen, Nautilus; Olivia Robison, Havasupai; Roseann Hagen, Smoketree; Liane Stancil, Jamaica; Lori Felish, Starline; Carol Nowakowski, Oro Grande; Jen Black, Thunderbolt; Carmen Domek, High School
District and Mohave County Teacher of the Year: Roseann Hagen, Smoketree Elementary
2017-2018 Teacher/Staff of the Year Awards
Staff Member: Manuel Hurtado, FSP - LHHS
Rookie: Ashlee Byerley, English - LHHS
Teachers: Nina Mersing, Nautilus; Nicole Kuch, Havasupai; Tamara Yates, Smoketree; Jamie Hammer, Jamaica; Rebecca Pehling, Starline; Tara Smith, Oro Grande; Lindsay Bitterman, Thunderbolt; Larry Olsen, High School
District and Mohave County Teacher of the Year: Tara Smith, Oro Grande Classical Academy