The Montrose Education Foundation, Inc. (MEF) hosted an Educator Appreciation Reception on Thursday, April 4, 2024 for all the Montrose County School District staff. At this reception the 2024 Teacher of the Year recipients & the $10,000 Impact Award were announced. The Montrose County School District Superintendent Innovation Awards were also announced.
The MEF $10,000 Impact Award is awarded annually to teachers who were past Teacher of the Year recipients or Teacher of the Year candidates for the current year who submit an impactful idea to benefit their schools & students.
Teacher of the Year Award Winners
Elementary School Recipient – Janice Congour – Northside Elementary School
“All students are unique and bring their individual talents to the classroom. My classroom is a safe and nurturing environment for all students to thrive and to develop those talents, thus enabling them to grow into successful, contributing members of society.”
Middle School Recipient – Greg Solseth – Columbine Middle School
“It is my desire to create a type of atmosphere where students can meet their full potential. I will provide a safe environment where students are invited to share their ideas and take risks.”
High School Recipient – Laurelee MacHale – Montrose High School
“What I love about teaching is that there is more than one solution to every problem. As an art teacher, I’ve learned that the process is more important than the outcome.”
Jeff Mitchell, winner of the $10,000 Impact Award. (Provided photo)
The 2024 $10,000 Impact Award was awarded to Jeff Mitchell at Olathe Middle High School. His program will allow the OHS graphic design class to become a manufacturing class that would provide design services to create an end product for the school and community. This would allow students to experience first-hand experiences in design, manufacturing and entrepreneurship.
The $8,000 Superintendent Innovation Award. (Provided photo)
The $8,000 Superintendent Innovation Award was awarded to John Steele, Kathy Gaber & Heidi Voehringer from Montrose High School/District Office. This project would incorporate a Law and Public Safety Career Pathway at Montrose High School, actively addressing the urgent need for skilled professionals in law enforcement and public safety, while providing our students with a hands-on, real-world and engaging educational program designed to give them a competitive advantage in the local workforce.
The $5,000 Superintendent Innovation Award. (Provided photo)
The $5,000 Superintendent Innovation Award was awarded to Jamie Gann & Eve Donohoe at Peak Academy. Their project is to create a Peak Academy Literacy Center. They love their personalized school, but it comes with some costs, including no library or study center. They believe that their students need the same access to a rich selection of reading materials as other students in the district.
The Montrose Education Foundation Teacher of the Year Program recognizes licensed classroom teachers for the significant contributions they make to their schools, district and their community. Each year nominations are submitted by parents, students, colleagues or community members and are accepted in October through mid-November.
One-hundred and eight teachers were nominated & recognized in November 2023 during American Education Week with certificates & balloons. MEF recognizes the entire staff with baskets of apples at that time also. Nineteen outstanding educators completed the candidate essay questionnaire, which is based on the Colorado Teacher of the Year standards and were eligible for consideration. The 3 level recipients; Elementary, Middle & High school teachers were awarded a $500 check by Alpine Bank to use in their classrooms.
The MEF board is comprised of community members who want to make a positive impact in the community’s education system. Their mission statement is: Education is Our Future. Board members are Deann Balash, Melissa Byrnes, Patricia Cummings, Kathy Flower, Sandy Head, Matt Jenkins, Buck Miller & Carrie Stephenson. For more information about the Montrose Education Foundation, the programs they sponsor, become a board member or make a donation, visit MEF.org.
