Celebrating Strong Connections: Every Moment Matters Staff Shoutouts
Celebrating Strong Connections: Every Moment Matters Staff Shoutouts
Forest Hills School District excels because of its dedicated staff. Their commitment makes FHSD a premier district, with nearly 80% of teachers holding advanced degrees and consistently earning top marks from Niche. Support staff also build vital relationships with students and provide invaluable support to keep day-to-day operations running smoothly. FHSD is a special place also because of what lies between the moments of hard work - the small moments when staff build meaningful connections, create lasting memories and go the extra mile to support others.
The Every Moment Matters Staff Shoutout celebrates staff who have exemplified the district belief that every moment matters. Recipients of this recognition are nominated by students, families or colleagues and recognized for their contributions to the district and the impact they have had.
FHSD was honored to celebrate the following staff members during the 2025-2026 school year. Staff members are listed alphabetically by building:
Anderson High School
Vicki Beltramo, Administrative Assistant
Mrs. Beltramo is always willing to jump in and help someone, no matter who needs it. She cultivates strong relationships with students, staff, substitutes and community members, and whether in person or over the phone, she always has an answer or knows who to direct people to. Her nominator specifically shared: “Vicki is quick to solve any mystery before it becomes an issue. Her selfless, can-do attitude truly shapes our Culture Blueprint at AHS and makes an impact on those around her.”
Cathy Schuster, English Teacher
Mrs. Schuster is someone who goes above and beyond for her students and colleagues, embodying what it means to make every moment matter. So many students and staff members gravitate toward her for advice, help and a listening ear. One of her nominators described her as “THE go-to person” for people across AHS, including teachers in other departments. As the English chair and a veteran teacher, she is always trying new, innovative things for her students and always willing to help students or staff at any moment, whether that’s before, during or after school.
Turpin High School
James Glaser, Science Teacher
Mr. Glaser is heavily involved in helping create opportunities for students during their time at Turpin and beyond. He consistently generates a high level of student engagement, cultivates passion and helps students navigate their learning path beyond high school. Mr. Glaser’s nominator shared the following: “Mr. Glaser's passion for engineering has had such a positive influence on our son that he routinely goes to school early to collaborate on engineering projects. We are incredibly grateful for his dedication to students, especially our son!”
Annie Welsh, English Teacher
Mrs. Welsh is a teacher who personally connects with each of her students. She starts each class with “something good,” allowing students to share something good that recently happened in their lives before sharing something positive from her day. She also shares a life tip, which typically relates directly to skills highlighted in the Portrait of a Learner. As a teacher, she personalizes the curriculum for each student, meeting with them individually to modify the assignment so that it uniquely matches each student's ability. She continuously walks around to each student to check on them and remembers to follow up with them about moments in their lives. Mrs. Welsh deeply cares about her students, her teaching and her fellow teachers!
Nagel Middle School
Emily Agricola, ESC Teacher
Mrs. Agricola is an ESC teacher at Nagel who has a positive impact on middle school students with special needs. She works with them on their core classes while also teaching them important life skills. She manages the Coffee Cart and helps teach cooking and how to be a good friend and classmate. She works tirelessly for her students so that they have the best educational experience possible, often ensuring they are included as much as possible in regular classroom activities with modifications. Here is what a nominator shared about her: “Mrs. Agricola goes above and beyond for her students. If a student is not getting what she’s teaching, she will do her homework and find the best way to teach that student… She really cares about her students and loves them.”
Lisa McCoy, Science Teacher
Mrs. McCoy embodies what learning looks like in middle school. Her nominator said that when you walk into her classroom, you know you’re in middle school because she embraces learning moments that matter. For example, in a class this year, she had kids dancing to show their learning and making s’mores to learn about heat transfer. She makes learning fun and engaging for her students so that they can get the most out of their lessons!
Ayer Elementary School
Lexi Brower, Intervention Specialist
Lexi consistently goes out of her way to make sure each individual student’s needs are met. She is always a team player and focuses on making sure students are safe, engaged and learning. Lexi has an extensive list of “other duties as assigned,” but does it all with a smile!
Cory Forsee, Head Custodian
Students naturally flock to Mr. Corey, as they call him. He has built positive relationships with the students and many of them look forward to “pinning” him most days (part of a program at Ayer where they place clothespins on each other to spread positivity and kindness). His nominator specifically shared: “Corey easily connects with kids but he also takes great pride in his work. He does a phenomenal job for us and is always making sure the school is ready for kids, even in the snowiest winter ever!”
Maddux Elementary School
Megan Andersen, RISE Intervention Specialist
Mrs. Andersen is in her third year as a RISE Intervention Specialist where she is always working to improve her skillset to better support her students and the adults she works with. She brings ideas and creative thinking to the special education professional learning community and meets often with general education teachers and intervention specialists to ensure students receive the teaching they deserve. Megan’s leadership has been instrumental in a lot of Maddux’s successes, including co-creating environments that proactively support sensory input and self-regulation, helping revise paraprofessional schedules to support students needs across campus, and increasing inclusion minutes within the RISE classroom while reducing the number of critical incident reports. Here is a snippet of what her nominator shared: “Megan leads with her heart and head… Some days are particularly difficult and yet, Megan remains upbeat and optimistic about the potential of her students. I often hear her say, ‘It's a new day!’”
Alina Heimkreiter, School Psychologist
Ms. Heimkreiter’s empathetic communication with everyone she works with–students, families and staff–sets her apart and creates a lasting impact on the Maddux community! She teaches coping skills, develops curriculum and consistently demonstrates her strength as a collaborative team player. As the school psych, Ms. Heimkreiter is also heavily involved in MTSS, PBIS, Tier 2 and Tier 3 planning, and provides invaluable support for student behavior plans. Her attitude and dedication makes her a valuable asset to Maddux and FHSD!
Mercer Elementary School
Emily Pollitt, Second Grade Teacher
Ms. Pollitt’s caring nature and dedication to all students has created a welcoming environment where her students feel seen and heard. Her empathy and genuine connection with all students, including her neurodivergent students, serves as a model for inclusion, respect and kindness. One of her nominators specifically shared: “Inspiring young kids to embrace diversity and uniqueness is no easy task, and Ms. Pollitt has mastered it in a loving but very practical way too, by not just talking about it but living it and leading by example!” Ms. Pollitt’s passion for education lifts students up so they feel included and more confident in themselves.
Ann Wolfe, School Nurse
“Not just a phenomenal health aide but a phenomenal person.” That is what one of Mrs. Wolfe’s nominators shared about her. When it comes to making Every Moment Matter, she goes above and beyond to show kindness and care to students, colleagues and families. Another nominator also shared, “I could not have more trust and faith in Nurse Ann, who cares for my daughter with kindness, dignity and deftness… She never misses a beat - even while caring for many others at the school.”
Sherwood Elementary School
Jill Hoelmer, Fourth Grade Teacher
Mrs. Hoelmer regularly goes above and beyond for her students. She is influential in some of the more memorable fourth-grade projects, walking students through the wax museum, cereal box project, battle of the books and Greek and Latin roots challenge. Her nominator said, “Through these projects she teaches the standards, teaches personal responsibility and goal-setting, and creates a fun and choice-filled experience that students remember for years to come.” In addition to helping facilitate lifelong learning memories, Mrs. Hoelmer also routinely helps implement new curriculum programs by participating in pilots.
Patty Peters, Intervention Specialist
Mrs. Peters’ patience and kindness leaves a lasting impression on students and families alike. She finds positivity, compassion and extra time to help those who are struggling - helping students gain confidence so they can achieve academically and behaviorally. Mrs. Peters’ nominator shared, “Mrs. Peters deserves recognition for not only being exceptional at her job but for the true compassion she shows her students.”
Summit Elementary School
Brooke Lovely, Kindergarten Teacher
Mrs. Lovely is a dedicated kindergarten teacher who encourages and inspires her students to be learners. Her ability to positively connect with students has created a safe and comfortable learning environment. Here is what Mrs. Lovely’s nominator specifically shared: “Our [child] loves coming to school to learn with Ms. Lovely! They then carry that over at home as they role-play school at home.”
Carrie Mayne
Ms. Mayne is a dedicated and dynamic teacher who is always looking for ways to improve and learn. She puts in countless hours preparing for and working with students, making content engaging and comprehensible. Ms. Mayne is often seen down on the young students’ level, looking into their eyes, and being there for them during difficult moments. In addition to her dedication to students, Ms. Mayne goes above and beyond in adding joy to the days of her colleagues. She decorates the lounge, fills candy jars around the school and keeps their mini fridge stocked. She is the first to volunteer when coverage is needed and even helps with crosswalk duties. Her passion for education and spreading positivity shows that Ms. Mayne knows how to make Every Moment Matter!
Wilson Elementary School
Lynn Augenstein, Administrative Assistant
Ms. Augenstein is a true portrait of ensuring that Every Moment Matters. She is the first person visitors see when coming to Wilson and is always helpful and friendly. When it comes to supporting her fellow colleagues, she takes the time out of her day to provide a helping hand and ensure they are able to put their best foot forward. Here is a snippet of what her nominator shared: “Lynn will stop whatever she is doing to make sure that she is able to help you and get you whatever is needed. I really appreciate everything she does!”
Jennifer Machenheimer, Paraprofessional
The support and encouragement from “Mrs. Mach” helps Wilson students thrive! Her dedication to listening, understanding and adapting to each student’s needs helps set them up for success. Her ability to quickly understand each student’s unique strengths, motivations and communication styles has made her a reassuring and dedicated presence in the school. Here is a snippet of what her nominator shared: “I can't express how reassuring it is sending our [child] to a school every day where we know she's seen, heard, and loved, and Jen is a central part of creating that supportive school community.”
