MESD - Virtual Appreciation Wall by Chantell Kaawa

Bridges Transition Specialists

2026-03-03 22:10:54 UTC

Shout out to this team for filling the gaps and consistently showing up for students that aren't always seen. You all do amazing work and are so appreciated!!

Technology Support Technicians

2026-03-04 05:23:00 UTC

So many different reasons to say thank you for your help and patience! I really appreciate your kindness

Administrative Assistants

2026-03-04 16:33:58 UTC

You all do wonderful work! We couldn’t do the work we do without you!!

Thank you 🙏

Trudy Davis

2026-03-04 17:01:15 UTC

Thank you for being patient with me this year with all the chaos. I appreciate they way you approach situations and how much compassion you have for others. Thank you again for being there when I needed and for not judging me when I was in the trenches. You really are the best!

Nurses!

2026-03-04 17:03:41 UTC

I’m an on-call SHA and I want to thank all the wonderful nurses I’ve talked to in person/on the phone/over email who have been so helpful in answering all my questions and so kind! Y’all are the best!

Health Ed AA - Sacha Schacher!

2026-03-04 17:04:54 UTC

Here’s to the amazing Sacha! Doing the work of 3 people with such patience and professionalism! You are appreciated!!!

Behavior Support Facilitators

ckaawa — 2026-03-04 17:13:00 UTC

Thank you to all of our BSFs for the dedication you've consistently shown our students. For continuing to show up through the hardships and being there for our students. We appreciate all of you!

Payroll Team - Denise, Lilia, & Jazmin

ckaawa — 2026-03-04 17:16:23 UTC

Payroll can be very dynamic and complicated and you all handle it so well! We appreciate all the work you do to ensure we get paid :)

Courtney Spzer

2026-03-04 17:22:38 UTC

I think everyone you supervise can confirm that you are a rockstar. You do everything you can to meet us all where we are at. Your wonderful sense of humor and compassion for community is seen! Thank you for everything you do and also being a safe place in this world of chaos.

Health Assistant

2026-03-04 17:24:48 UTC

Katie Iwata is the absolute best! Intelligent efficient, kind, and it is such an honor to know her and work with her!

Molly Coveyduck RN

2026-03-04 17:32:16 UTC

This is Molly’s first year as a school nurse. It has been such a great experience this year working with them at Reynolds and they are doing awesome! Such a great fit for Reynolds HS.

Terrie Johnson RN

Thank you SHA’s and BSF’s

2026-03-04 17:33:07 UTC

Thank you for the incredible care, skill, and compassion you bring to work each day. The support you provide our students is truly life-changing. Because of you, students are safer, more regulated, and better able to learn and thrive.

Your partnership with our nurses and teachers strengthens our entire system of support and makes a meaningful difference in classrooms across MESD. We are deeply grateful for your dedication and the heart you bring to this work.

Thank you for all you do!

DEL/FLS/WC

2026-03-04 18:22:26 UTC

To our dedicated DEL/FLS/WC staff: Thank you for showing up and caring for our most vulnerable students. Your unwavering commitment and heart you bring to our students are so appreciated. You provide a consistent and supportive presence for students navigating incredibly difficult circumstances. I’m so grateful for you all!!

Kimberly Marsh, RN

2026-03-04 18:27:22 UTC

This is my first year with MESD as a nurse. Kimberly is my mentor, she has gone above and beyond making sure that I feel comfortable in my roll. She has become my best friend, it truly feels like she cares about my well being, not only at work but in my personal life as well. Kimberly is an amazing nurse, an exemplary and beautiful person!

Business Services

2026-03-04 19:56:30 UTC

I am incredibly grateful for our Business Services team and the vital work they do behind the scenes to keep our district running smoothly. Their integrity and expertise are the foundation of our success, and I truly could not do my job without the trust and dependability they provide every single day.

Where would we be without SHAs?

2026-03-04 19:58:26 UTC

This is my first year working with SHAs and I don’t know how I scraped by last year without them. The SHAs have managed the students but also been a great resource for navigating the schools, the dynamics with families, meeting students where they were with mental health needs, brainstorming how to improve the care we provide in the health room… the SHAs I work with have been absolutely incredible!

Janet and Julie!

2026-03-04 20:02:11 UTC

Huge thank you to two of the behind-the-scenes workers who keep everything running. You two have so much knowledge and patience and understanding for all of us who flounder through and need a friendly face and some dry humor to get us through!

Front Desk Admin - Carlos L.P.

ckaawa — 2026-03-04 21:39:12 UTC

Carlos has been a great addition to MESD and very welcoming to our Ainsworth staff and visitors! Thank you for all you do!

Rose Seed, Lead SHA

2026-03-04 21:53:27 UTC

Rose is one of the best people I know and such a blessing to get to work with. She recently went out of her way to help a French speaking family at one of my schools that was struggling with the immunization process. She helped the parent to get the student compliant and made such a difference in the family's situation. We are all super lucky to have her at MESD as she constantly makes the world a better place.

SHA’s

2026-03-04 22:28:33 UTC

Thank you to all the 6th grade SHA’s that help us get our students to outdoor school!

Special Education Speech and Language Pathology Assistant: Haley

mberry77 — 2026-03-04 22:48:14 UTC

Haley is a Speech and Language Pathology Assistant who has provided an additional level of support with assistive technology this year. Thank you, Haley, for your dedication, interest and enthusiasm for this work. Appreciate you!

Special Education Licensed Physical Therapy Assistant: Lindsay

mberry77 — 2026-03-04 22:56:46 UTC

Lindsay, Licensed Physical Therapy Assistant, provides support to students across multiple schools and districts throughout Multnomah County. Lindsay brings both creativity and genuine care to students with mobility challenges, thoughtfully adapting strategies and equipment to promote student independence and access. Thank you, Lindsay!

McDaniel/Benson Cluster RNs/SHA's

2026-03-05 02:05:49 UTC

I am so grateful for the Nurses and School Health Assistants I have the privilege to have on my team. Your hard work, compassion, and dedication to supporting students and families make a difference every single day!

Joanna Low

Vision/Hearing Screening Team

2026-03-05 02:12:57 UTC

I am so grateful for the Vision and Hearing Screening Team. By identifying vision and hearing needs early, you help remove barriers and create greater opportunities for students to fully access their learning. Even though you may not always see the direct impact of your work, it opens doors for students every single day. I truly appreciate all that you do to support our school communities.

Joanna Low

Thank you, Nikki!

2026-03-05 15:33:38 UTC

Thank you for all the hard work you put into keeping our Title 1-C data up to date. I know it takes a lot of time and attention, and it really makes a difference for our whole team.

I also really appreciate how supportive you are and how quickly you answer our questions :)

I appreciate you so much and I’m really happy to be working with you. Thanks for everything you do!

Gracias,

Nelly Patiño- Cabrera

Madele Cardona -Title 1-C

2026-03-05 15:39:56 UTC

Hi Madele!

I just wanted to tell you how amazing you are. You work so hard to serve every preschool student!

Since the first time we met, I could see how passionate you are about supporting families in the Title 1-C program. Aprecio mucho esta dedicación genuina en nuestras families y estudiantes y creo que ellos también lo aprecian.

I’m so grateful to be working with you and to be part of a team with someone who cares as much as you do.

Gracias por darle todo el cariño posible al trabajo que haces.

Afectuosamente,

Nelly Patiño Cabrera

Gracias Rodrigo García!

2026-03-05 15:45:17 UTC

Thank you for everything you do for our Title 1-C families!

You know the families so well and you truly take care of them, always making sure they have what they need.

I really admire how you find ways to connect them with resources, whether that’s food, clothing, or other support. ¡Me encanta tu creatividad y habilidad de colaborar con otras organizaciones!

I can see your passion for this work; it really shows, and it makes a big difference for the families we serve.

Thank you for the care and dedication you bring every day!

Nelly Patiño - Cabrera

Janet Dahl

2026-03-05 19:02:44 UTC

Janet is wonderful to work with. She has a positive attitude, and is willing to help when needed. Thank you Janet.

Brandon Cruz- Data Rockstar!

2026-03-05 19:41:59 UTC

Thank you for the incredible work you do! Your dedication, thoughtfulness, and attention to detail never go unnoticed.

I am especially grateful for the way you approach your work through a lens of equity, compassion, and care. You don’t just analyze data, you seek to honor the people behind the numbers. Your commitment to ensuring that our work reflects a deep respect for our communities and a desire to improve our education systems for all students, families and staff, strengthens everything we do.

Thank you for your hard work and the heart you bring to your role :)

RHS Cluster

2026-03-05 20:20:01 UTC

Thank you to our wonderful Roosevelt cluster in the north! This year has been different than past years. However, we still show up for our students and for each other because we are stronger together! Thank you to Courtney Klum & Susan Rhedmon for being amazing supports both professionally and personally. Thank you from the bottom of my heart. -Jess

Sacha Schacher

2026-03-05 20:50:35 UTC

Thanks for being organized, prompt and courteous. From Jennifer M

Julie Hering

2026-03-05 20:51:32 UTC

Thanks for working in a position that requires you to wear many hats! From Jennifer M

Martina Bell, you’re amazing!

2026-03-05 22:12:18 UTC

Martina, you’re amazing! I love all the great ideas you bring to our team. You always think about all of our students: OSY, students who just joined the program, and so on… You really make sure everyone is included.

You know our families so well that they love communicating with you! They trust you!

I also love your ideas about visiting new sites and bringing in new organizations to collaborate with us.

You are creative, and you love working with students and families.

I’m really grateful that we’re part of the Title I-C team together.

Nelly

MESD support staff

2026-03-05 23:12:07 UTC

Thank you for all you do to prepare us for the school year, support us throughout, and for always being prompt, patient, and helpful with questions and needs even if I'm being a giant dumbo. We couldn't do it without you all.

Outdoor School Staff!!

2026-03-06 00:18:20 UTC

Outdoor School Staff give all of themselves for students to have a great experience. They work long hours in all weathers to assure that EVERY kid and high school student gets an authentic and quality experience where they feel like they belong. Outdoor School staff sub in the Creeks sharing their passion for supporting students and supporting the district. Always kid focused. Always committed to the programs they serve. Outdoor School staff impress me everyday. Thank you for all your hard work.

For Tana Cyr and Xochitl Tombleson, Administrative Assistants for LTCT & Hospital School Programs

2026-03-06 19:00:04 UTC

You both are wonderful! You do so much work for all of us in the LTCT and hospital school programs. We all really appreciate it. You bring such light and happiness to our programs.

Emily Wittman, LTCT SPED teacher

Susan Korst

2026-03-06 22:32:28 UTC

She has her nose to the grindstone with the health screenings and immunizations department. And always keeps the morale high with her soft spoken yet hilarious sense of humor. Thanks for everything Susan!

Tony Ramirez

2026-03-06 22:34:24 UTC

Tony works hard in immunizations and screenings. He is also the officially unofficial printer wrangler for his office. Couldn’t do it without you Tony!

Lena Coleman

2026-03-06 22:37:26 UTC

She works tirelessly for outdoor school. Keeping it running like a well oiled machine. She is so fun and always a pleasure to interact with!

Teresa Johnson

2026-03-06 22:41:05 UTC

She is a creative problem solver. She is willing to share her expertise with you as a longtime employee of MESD. Her creative passion shines through in everything she does here.

Carlos Llamosa

2026-03-06 22:48:00 UTC

Thank you for being a reliable fixture for our building.

Wendy & Julia!!!

adustin2 — 2026-03-08 02:29:53 UTC

Wendy and Julia are truly outstanding to work with. They are incredibly responsive, knowledgeable, and always willing to jump in and help. On top of that, they bring such kindness and humor to their work, which makes collaborating with them not only seamless but genuinely enjoyable. I feel very lucky to work alongside them. :) Amy

Livia!

adustin2 — 2026-03-08 02:36:22 UTC

Livia is an incredible financial business partner and such a gift to our team. She is exceptionally knowledgeable, refreshingly real, and brings a great sense of humor to everything she does. I feel very lucky to learn from her every single day. Amy

Chantell!

adustin2 — 2026-03-08 02:38:24 UTC

Shout out to Chantell in HR Leaves for the incredible support she provides. She is consistently responsive, thorough, and truly an expert in her work. We are so fortunate to have someone with her knowledge and dedication supporting our MESD team. Amy

Carmel!!!

adustin2 — 2026-03-08 02:42:17 UTC

Shouting out Carmel, one of the most amazing human beings I know. I truly do not know how you do it, but you are consistently taking such incredible care of our schools and district office. You are funny, kind, and genuinely one of the best people I have ever worked with. Your skill set feels limitless, and we are so grateful for everything you do. :) Amy

SpEd TOSA Team!!

adustin2 — 2026-03-08 02:54:46 UTC

Shout out to our incredible Special Education TOSA team, Kayla, Amanda, Regina, Jess R., Tiffany, and Jackie. You are all so brilliant, not only in the depth of your special education knowledge, but in the truly student centered way you approach your work and the thoughtful support you provide to colleagues. I cannot fully express how much I appreciate working alongside each of you. :) Amy

Talia & Sara!

adustin2 — 2026-03-08 02:58:26 UTC

Talia and Sara, you two are such dynamic humans, full of knowledge and heart, and we are so lucky to have you supporting our students at the Creek schools. Your strong focus on students and families leads to meaningful, impactful supports every single day. Thank you for the mental health guidance and care you provide to our community. :) Amy

Jodi - Pre-ETS coordinator!

adustin2 — 2026-03-08 03:02:28 UTC

Jodi, your work as the Pre-ETS Coordinator helps so many students build the skills they need for successful employment. Your efforts extend beyond Multnomah County, and the relationships you build open our scholars’ eyes to the many job opportunities available to them. You truly help prepare them for their futures. You are amazing! :) Amy

Sarah - Transition Network Facilitator!

adustin2 — 2026-03-08 03:07:29 UTC

Sarah, thank you so much for all the work you do to support our colleagues in serving transition-aged students. You strengthen agency collaboration and improve post-secondary outcomes for students with disabilities. As the Transition Network Facilitator, you support so many people in understanding how to best serve and empower our students for life beyond school. You are a rock star! :) Amy

Communications Stars

2026-03-09 00:56:00 UTC

Thank you, Tessa and Celine, for supporting MESD with accessible, relatable, and inclusive communications, design, and digital products. I appreciate your commitment to our students, staff, and district. Continue shinning the light! #BetterTogether ✨️💎💎✨️

Amie C, Nicole J, Melanie H

2026-03-09 15:03:15 UTC

You make everyone's job easier. You're home base for each of your schools and a wealth of knowledge and information.

Sincerest thanks to you!

Sheila Schacher

2026-03-09 16:20:37 UTC

Thank you for teaching me everything I know

Business Services

2026-03-09 18:55:36 UTC

Thank you to our Business Services staff who do their best to provide support to operations while ensuring compliance, best practices in accounting, procurement, contracting and ethics.

Sacha Schacher

2026-03-09 23:49:27 UTC

You bring such great energy to the office, and your such a joy!!!🩷

Business Services Team

2026-03-10 15:20:48 UTC

I am so appreciative of our Business Services team. I am particularly grateful for their willingness to engage thoughtfully in our equity work and for their adaptability during a period of continuous challenges.

Facilities, Custodial, and Maintenance Team,

2026-03-11 01:59:38 UTC

Thank you for your dedicated work in keeping our schools and offices clean, safe, and welcoming. Your commitment to maintaining our buildings ensures our programs run smoothly, and while much of your effort happens behind the scenes, its impact is felt throughout the district.

We truly value your contributions and are grateful for all you do for MESD.

With sincere appreciation,

Teresa Doran

2026-03-11 21:30:20 UTC

She is bright, funny and always willing to learn something new. She is generous with her time and happy to help others whenever she can. We are lucky to know you T.

Sacha,

2026-03-12 18:02:09 UTC

I really appreciate your help every time I come to you. Your support has always saved me so much time. Thank you!

Wheatley team:

2026-03-12 19:58:06 UTC

I am impressed every single day at the capacity for compassion, out-of-the box problem solving, teamwork and flexibility I see at Wheatley. In the face of dynamic challenges, we pull together and support one another. Thank you for everything you do to show our students they are valued members of our community.

Amy & Mel

2026-03-12 20:42:10 UTC

I appreciate your leadership, thought-partnership, student focus and willingness to jump right in and lend a hand. I love that you can read the moments when I need sympathy over solutions!

Jess Mullen

2026-03-12 20:47:40 UTC

I could quite literally write a novel about how much I have learned from you! Your leadership is truly aspirational. Thank you for everything you do to make Wheatley a better place!

Angelos, Collins, Kuratli, Namanu, and ODS Office Staff

2026-03-16 22:59:58 UTC

This weekend, the weather and road closures put a HUGE wrinkle in our plans to host 700 high school students at four of our overnight training workshops. Within minutes, each of our site teams sprang into action and collaborated to pull off something extraordinary! The level of collaboration, problem-solving, positive communication, and commitment to ensuring that our wonderful high school students received an excellent training experience was beyond anything I've ever seen.

I am so proud of our team for what we accomplished this weekend, and I know the energy and compassion they showed will be tenfold when we see our 6th graders on site. Thank you from the bottom of my heart!

- Pheff aka Jennifer

Nurse Isabel Jones SHS

2026-03-20 22:46:37 UTC

I want to thank one of my all time favorite nurses ever . She’s one of the hardest working people i know and i appreciate her as a person . Just meeting her last year and working with her the times i have, btw (I’m a SHA float/on call )I can say she truly pours her heart into the students she works with. She Genuinely cares for their well being and their health at school!. It’s always such a fun memorable work day whenever we’re working side by side. =D Thanks Isabel!!!

-Ash