Conley Kids Express site lead Ruthie Contreras named CUSD Apple Achievement Award recipient 

JANUARY 31, 2023       

COMMUNITY EDUCATION NEWS — Ruthie Contreras, Kids Express site lead at Conley Elementary School, was selected by the PRIDE Committee as a 2022-2023 recipient of the Apple Achievement Award as a Classified staff member of Community Education.

The Apple Achievement Award is Chandler Unified School District’s (CUSD) staff recognition program. Each year, an employee from each CUSD site is recognized by the superintendent and governing board for their exemplary work with the district. Both certified and classified staff are eligible for this award. In order to be nominated and chosen for this award, employees must show excellence in multiple areas:

• Be a strong supporter of Chandler schools
• Demonstrate initiative in the improvement of instruction
• Exhibit a high degree of willingness to assist other staff members
• Display a genuine concern for and effectively communicate with students/staff
• Contribute to positive staff/morale
• Strive for personal and professional growth
• Maintain high standards in all job-related tasks

As the Kids Express Site Lead at Conley Elementary School, Contreras is responsible for the day-to-day management of Kids Express at Conley Elementary. She has clerical duties including paperwork, documentation, and curriculum planning, but she is also involved with the kids, making sure they are staying safe, they are engaged, and they are having fun.

Contreras’ favorite part of her job is the kids. “Being around kids just brings out the happy in me,” explained Contreras. “Kids can be funny, they can be silly, creative, honest, and sometimes moody, and it’s all okay. Most of the time, things fall back into place by simply offering a hug, a high five, or even a smile.”

Contreras is an obvious choice for the Apple Achievement Award for those who work with her daily. “Ruthie’s passion for her Conley Coyotes Kids Express program is easily recognizable,” explained Michelle Kasel, Kids Express activity coordinator. “Ruthie works hard to produce exciting and engaging curriculum for her students and is always having fun at work.” She isn’t afraid to ask questions, provide feedback, and she goes above and beyond expectations to make sure every student is successful at Conley Kids Express.

Community Education’s Apple Achievement Award winner does more than just support the students in her program; she is also a great person to work for. “I have worked with Ruthie for a year now and she has gifted me some of the best experiences I have had in a workplace,” commented Sara Jacobo, childcare group leader. “Not only is she kind, fair, and considerate of the students and her staff, but she has worked so hard each and every day by coming in with a smile on her face, the latest project to create, game to play, or song to sing.”

Contreras is much more than her job title at Kids Express. To her core, she is a supportive, kind person. “Because of Mrs. Ruthie, I know what it is to truly love your job and all that comes with it — she is a person you can confide in, laugh with, and trust,” explained Jacobo. Contreras spreads kindness everywhere she goes. “Ruthie is a friend to everyone, and she has the ability to brighten any room she enters,” reiterated Kasel. “She is genuinely a good, kind-hearted person who cares about her students, parents, school, and co-workers.” She goes out of her way to help those in need.  

Contreras was elated upon hearing about her recipient of the Apple Achievement Award. “I honestly feel like I’m walking on sunshine. Being recognized for the work that I do lifts my spirit and motivates me to come up with new and fun activities that my team and I can do,” reflected Contreras. “I am truly blessed to receive an award for a job that I enjoy and love to do.”

The Apple Achievement Award has been going on for more than 25 years. Award recipients will be recognized at a ceremony on February 15. The award ceremony will be recorded and available for viewing on Cable Channel 99 or on the CUSD YouTube page upon the conclusion of the event.

2022-2023 Chandler Unified School District Apple Achievement Award Recipients (Staff):

Aleida Mercado, attendance technician, Rice Elementary 

Allison Davis, kindergarten teacher, Knox Gifted Academy

Allison Engstrom, third grade teacher, CTA-Liberty

Amy Denny, second grade teacher, Jacobson Elementary

Amy McPherson, English language arts teacher, Willis Junior High

Amy Shoot, media specialist, Tarwater Elementary

AnnMarie Filiere, computer teacher, Arizona College Prep-Middle 

Asahel Rodriguez, administrative clerk, Frye Elementary

Aubrey McDonald, third grade teacher, Auxier Elementary

Barbara Rhodes, sixth grade teacher, Basha Elementary

Belinda Brooks, equipment and repair coordinator, Central Kitchen

Carissa Lynch, dean, Galveston Elementary

Christina Lee, resource teacher, Patterson Elementary 

Cynthia Bagby, bus driver, Transportation

Diane Torre, mathematics teacher, Payne Junior High

Elizabeth Treadway, culinary teacher, Arizona College Prep-High

Elsie Niklason, early childhood SPED teacher, Santan Elementary

Georgina Neely, parent and family liaison, Bologna Elementary

Heather Newberry, reading specialist, Conley Elementary

Holly Eske, second grade teacher, Sanborn Elementary 

Jahlah Alton, resource teacher, Weinberg Gifted Academy

Janice Armstrong, English language arts teacher, Chandler Online Academy

Janine Krzmarzick, library media assistant, Andersen Junior High

Jayla Jarrell, first grade teacher, Haley Elementary

Jennifer Kaczmarek, noontime aide, Navarrete Elementary

Jessie Powell, music teacher, CTA-Independence Elementary

Jill Lanning, fourth grade teacher, Fulton Elementary

Joan Kern, special education facilitator, Student Services

John Flores, computer teacher, Bogle Junior High

Jyoti Tamboli, software development teacher, Basha High

Karen Strong, media specialist, CTA-Humphrey Elementary

Kathy Scott, paraeducator, Riggs Elementary 

Kim Kleinholz, office manager, Carlson Elementary

Kimberly Guevara, communications specialist, District Office

Kylie Koerperich, speech language pathologist, Shumway Leadership Academy

Lauren Rosales, English language arts teacher, Hamilton High

Leslie Ireland, fourth grade teacher, Chandler Online Academy – Elementary Connect

Liana Clareson, music teacher, CTA-Goodman Elementary

Marcela Blank, cafe manager, Ryan Elementary 

Maria Collea-Anderson, counselor, Hill Learning Academy

Marina Westphal, therapeutic counselor, Chandler Learning Center

Meghan Dunigan, biology teacher, Basha Accelerated Middle School

Michelle Luttrell, mathematics teacher, Elite Performance Academy

Michelle Rabara, academic coach, Hartford Sylvia Encinas Elementary

Mike Mesquita, senior warehouse and delivery associate, Warehouse

Natalie Viera, fourth grade teacher, Hull Elementary 

Pam Lundbohm, human resources supervisor, District Office

Peggy Bejarano, French teacher, Chandler High

Priscilla Gillison, office manager, Hancock Elementary 

Rachel Torne, resource teacher, San Marcos Elementary

Renee Howell, history teacher, Casteel High

Robin Lewis, paraeducator, Santan Junior High

Ruthie Contreras, childcare site leader, Community Education

Stacy Schraufnagel, attendance technician, Andersen Elementary

Steve Niemeyer, master plumber, Support Services

Suzanne Kelley, mathematics teacher, Perry High

Teri King, administrative secretary, Chandler Early College

Toshika Brubaker, senior administrative clerk, CTA-Freedom Elementary

Valerie Gyory, academic coach, Instructional Resource Center

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