ANNUAL PTSA AWARDS

GOLDEN ACORN (OUTSTANDING VOLUNTEER) AND OUTSTANDING EDUCATOR AWARDS

If you know of individuals deserving of one these annual awards, please complete a nomination from.  USE ONE FORM FOR EACH AWARD. Many parents, educators, and volunteers within our community make significant contributions to create an inspirational environment for our children.  This is your chance to recognize and thank them for their efforts.  Please help us in honoring those special individuals for their contributions of time and talents on behalf of children.

Each spring, award recipients are typically recognized at a TJMS PTSA meeting, newsletters, emails, and at the Vancouver Council PTA Awards Gala. TJMS PTSA presents the recipients with a special pin and certificate and their name is engraved on the school’s plaque, along with a contribution to the Washington State PTA Financial Grant Foundation.  Donations are made in each recipient’s name to the fund, which in turn contributes to the future of youth by awarding grants to students who are freshmen entering post-secondary education.

https://www.wastatepta.org/events-programs/awards/volunteer-recognition-awards/

Congratulations again to our past recipients listed below!  *Past recipients may be nominated again. 

About the GOLDEN ACORN (OUTSTANDING VOLUNTEER) Award

Do you know an individual who is continually volunteering at Thomas Jefferson Middle School and in our community?  The Golden Acorn is a very special award that recognizes volunteers who have given outstanding service to all children in the school community.  Since the beginning of this program, more than 45,000 Golden Acorns have been presented to volunteers throughout Washington State.  Each year, to recognize and honor individuals for their work with Thomas Jefferson Middle School, the PTSA awards those volunteers with the Golden Acorn.  “This award is intended for the volunteers who have gone “above and beyond.”  When nominating an individual, please keep in mind this is truly an honor for continued and dedicated service. 

GOLDEN ACORN (Outstanding Volunteer) AWARD RECIPIENTS:

2004-05 Kim Price and Lori Shipman

2005-06 Debbie Trimble

2006-07 Zorina Nolan

2007-08 Lisa Coy

2008-09 Dawn Anthony and Janice Hall

2009-10 Anne Thom and Sherah Heil

2010-11 Ron Wagner

2011-12 Jennifer Dockter

2012-13 Rosalind Hatch-Pirkl

2013-14 Elizabeth Owen

2014-15 Annamarie Hoobler

2015-16 Rhonda Dojan

2016-17 Pam Erdy and Tandi Gray

2017-18 Jessica Marion

2018-19 Angela Arnett and Christine Wilson

2019-20 Angela Arnett and Kathryn "Zuka" Haarberg

2020-21 Kristin Schmitt

2021-22 Updates pending

2022-23 Hillary Barnes

2023-24 Keeley Merrill 

About the OUTSTANDING EDUCATOR Award

Do you know an individual who has made a difference in your child’s education?  The Outstanding Educator Award was created to recognize educators who go beyond normal expectations of their jobs to make the learning environment fun, beneficial, and challenging and who has demonstrated a commitment to “making every child’s potential a reality”.  Do you know an individual who has provided outstanding educational opportunities for children and/or made significant contributions that enhance their education at Thomas Jefferson Middle School?  This is your chance to acknowledge those who provide outstanding education and contributions on behalf of our children.  An educator can be a teacher, support staff, administrator, or community member. 

OUTSTANDING EDUCATOR AWARD RECIPIENTS:

2004-05 Travis Wittwer

2005-06 Lisa Phillips

2006-07 Travis Wittwer

2008-09 Melissa Kraemer-Leonhardt

2009-10 Trevor Johnson

2009-10 Patrick Mongrain

2010-11 Greg Roberts

2011-12 Kelly Hathaway

2012-13 Jeannette Hathaway

2013-14 Becky Whitman

2014-15 Tammy Carlson and Autumn Smith

2015-16 Jennifer McKay

2016-17 Mona Dotson, Bill Sixour, Dominque Sukles, Sean Vance

2017-18 Karina Rocha, Leslie Roth, Lance Smith

2018-19 Julia Carstensen, Karina Kelley, Devonne Pele

2019-20 Renee Collins, Carmen Everingham, Marta Gray, and Becky Whitman

2020-2021 Lance Smith

2021-22 Updates pending

2022-23 Jamiee Vela

2023-24 Paul Warner