Employee of the Month is Tamara Hoodenpyl, teacher at Ridgefield High School
RIDGEFIELD — On Oct. 9, Ridgefield School District officials recognized the October Employee and Students of the Month at the regular Board of Directors meeting.
The Employee of the Month is Tamara Hoodenpyl, teacher at Ridgefield High School (RHS). Hoodenpyl, in her four years as art teacher at Ridgefield High School, has involved herself in the school as much as, if not more than any other teacher. According to district officials, she is an exceptional teacher who challenges her students to excel. Her classrooms are engaging, thoughtful, and inclusive. This past summer, Hoodenpyl, along with a RHS science teacher, spent the summer in Mallorca, Spain, participating in an archeological dig. Her pottery class is now teaming up with that science teacher’s chemistry class to better understand how ancient art interconnects with science.
In addition to her teaching duties, Hoodenpyl has been the head cheer coach, the art club advisor, a class advisor, an assistant director to the school’s annual musical, a student-chaperone on a music trip to Disneyland, a lead teacher in the planning of Spudder Day, and is currently the National Honor Society advisor. Hoodenpyl uses her spare time to work toward her National Board Certification.
While it is difficult to pare down the exceptional staff we have at RHS to nominate just one person, Hoodenpyl is certainly worthy of this honor and is representative of the many outstanding employees at Ridgefield High School.
Students of the Month
-
Hyde Zier Hyde Zier, a third grader, is October’s Student of the Month at South Ridge Elementary School. One staff member describes Zier best. “Hyde Zier is brand new to South Ridge this year, but you would never know it because he has transitioned beautifully. Since the first day of school, he has shown what it means to be respectful, responsible, and safe. Hyde has a smile on his face and a positive attitude as soon as he steps into the classroom every day, and I never see it leave, even when he steps onto his bus. He is extremely respectful to all his peers and teachers and follows the expectations without any reminders. Hyde is very responsible and is always helping his teacher or his classmates (happily too!) just out of the kindness of his heart. He shows resilience because he is a problem solver and never gives up, always with a smile. Hyde is a true role model to his peers and deserves to be recognized.”
-
Jayden Garcia-Bernal Jayden Garcia-Bernal, a second grader, was selected at Union Ridge Elementary. The Union Ridge teachers and staff are very proud of Garcia-Bernal. They write, “Jayden is very deserving of the student of the month award. He exemplifies the three “R”s of respect, responsibility, and resilience. Jayden is very respectful of other students, teachers, and staff at Union Ridge. We can always count on Jayden to be responsible, kind, and helpful in the classroom, as well as on the playground. He is a hard working student and never gives up. Union Ridge Elementary’s Student of the Month award for second grade is well-earned by Jayden Garcia-Bernal.”
- April Carvel, a sixth grader, is October’s Student of the Month at Sunset Ridge Intermediate School.
April Carvel The Sunset Ridge teachers and staff are very proud of Carvel. They write, “April is a motivated student who always finds a way to smile in every situation. This year did not start as smoothly as anyone would have liked, and my split classroom has had more than its share of hiccups. April has shown resilience every day by finding the positive in every situation that has come up and been flexible in her schedule changes, despite not seeing her peers as often as she would have liked. She has made the best of eating lunch and having recess with a different grade level by seeking her fifth grade brother and spending time with him and reaching out and making new friendships with the students from other grades and has been helpful to the students who are new to Sunset. In every lesson and transition, April can be counted on to do the right thing, make the right choice, and is ready to learn. She fully engages and participates and is a motivated learner.”
-
Andrew Wilken Andrew Wilken, an eighth grader, was chosen at View Ridge Middle School. The View Ridge teachers and staff are very proud of Wilken. They write, “Andrew Wilken is View Ridge Middle School’s Student of the Month. Andrew is a strong addition to the classroom. He regularly shows genuine interest in others, including his fellow students. He is admired and respected among his peers and is always courteous. Andrew consistently contributes to a positive learning environment and maintains high expectations of himself. He is a valued student leader at our school. As an ASB class representative, Andrew contributes ideas and laughter to our meetings and events. He is helpful to others around him, and his kindness goes a long way.”
-
Grace Melbuer Grace Melbuer, a junior, was chosen from Ridgefield High School. The Ridgefield High School teachers and staff are very proud of Melbuer. They write, “Grace is a student who is tenacious in her quest for knowledge, is a very strong leader, and is always willing to pitch in to help.” Another teacher says of Grace, “I love her enthusiasm for learning. Melbuer is involved in the zero-hour teaching academy class which requires her to be here at 7 a.m. every morning. She takes four (!) AP classes as well as Spanish III, and is involved in HOSA, Spudder Ambassadors, and National Honor Society. She is also a member of the RHS soccer and track teams. Ridgefield High School is very pleased to select Grace Melbuer as October 2018 Student of the Month.’’
Ridgefield School District is grateful to its sponsor, the historic Sportsman’s Restaurant and Lounge, a local Ridgefield business owned and operated by Terry Hurd. This is the fifth year that Hurd has provided funding to support the district’s recognition program.
Information courtesy of the Ridgefield School District.
