GUILDERLAND — Friends, family, and colleagues came out to cheer for the 16 school-district employees who won awards for their loyalty and leadership, their innovation and expertise.
Their contributions were diverse. Groundskeeper Oliver Leach was hailed as "the god of sod" while teacher Yvette Terplak was lauded as "the glue of Altamont Elementary."

Following a 30-year tradition, the award recipients were nominated by their colleagues and co-workers.
"Thank you for being a leader," Susan Tangorre, assistant superintendent for human resources, said to the recipients at the close of the ceremony. "You are an inspiration for all of us."

These employees were honored:
— Jill Bierman, a teaching assistant at Westmere Elementary School, was described as a kind and giving person who shows patience and care for her students. Principal Deborah Drumm credited her with spearheading the creation of the Westmere courtyard and concluded, "Her presence is everywhere in the Westmere school community";
— Kristine Culotti, a reading teacher at Guilderland Elementary School, regularly attends school board meetings as the Guilderland Teachers’ Association building president and listens to the needs and wants of teachers. Principal Dianne Walshhampton said, "She enjoys helping parents understand their children’s reading instruction." She concluded by telling Culotti, "I value your integrity and dedication to children and to excellence";
— Debra Erickson, a teaching assistant in the high school’s learning workshop program, "feels a responsibility towards all students," said Dean Lisa Patierne. The dean went on to describe the way Erickson put aside her own grief at a funeral for a young student and "fighting her own tears" signed for the deaf and hard-of-hearing students who were there to mourn their friend. She concluded by quoting Albert Schweitzer that example is not the main thing in influencing others; it is the only thing;
— Crystal Fox, special-education administrator at Farnsworth Middle School, advocates for children and is "always responsive to staff," said Stephen Hadden, the district’s administrator for special services. She was lauded as a model of grace under pressure and praised for her energy, dedication, and insightful understanding of students, building an atmosphere of trust and confidence;
— Maria Jasenski, a middle-school math teacher, was called "one of Guilderland’s finest" by math and science supervisor, Demian Singleton. She is widely known as "Mama J," a nickname that is "symbolic of her caring demeanor," said Singleton. "Her advice goes well beyond mathematics," said Singleton, who also said her reputation has spread throughout the Capital Region;
— David Lansing, district-wide computer technician, has a "rare combination of both technical and people skills," said Joe Laurenzo, his supervisor. Lansing has made more revisions to the report-card format than our founding fathers made to the Declaration of Independence, said Laurenzo. He praised Lansing for his "gourmet lunches" and for improving the "tech savvy" of everyone around him;
— Debra LaPietro, a teacher at Westmere Elementary School, was lauded by Principal Deborah Drumm for her "positive attitude, initiative, and attention to detail." She is known for her devotion to students and recently helped a family who lost everything in a fire, Drumm said. She visited her student’s home and found a Lego man in the rubble and brought it to school for him. "You should have seen the smile on his face," said Drumm. "She really knows how to make everything right";
— Oliver Leach, a district-wide groundsperson, is called "the god of sod," said his supervisor Bob Collins. Without being asked, he’ll rake or re-mow athletic fields to make sure they are perfect for the big game. Collins choked up as he said, "He wants to be sure the children will get the best";
— Mark McDonald, a physical-education teacher at Pine Bush Elementary School, was described as "skilled, energetic, friendly, rock-solid reliable, and dedicated to his students" by Principal Martha Beck. He is an "innovative educator" who organizes an annual field trip to a local curling club and creates obstacle courses that have become legendary, said Beck. He is a "father figure" to the girls he has coached in gymnastics, she said, and, in organizing the annual Fun Run, he personally goes to the orchard and brings back apples for each student;
— Christine Monlea, an art teacher and Lynnwood and Pine Bush elementary schools, has "an almost magical skill" for inspiring children to create high-class works of art, said the Pine Bush principal, Martha Beck. "Their self-confidence blooms." Monlea initiated the Pine Bush art gallery on-line and she decorated Liberty, "one of the purloined pigs" in the town-wide Pigtacular, said Beck. When the pig was stolen, Monlea was more concerned about the children and their feelings of loss, said Beck. Once Liberty was found, the fiberglass pig was put on wheels and brought in every night. Monlea, Beck concluded, "brings light, color, texture, and celebration to the halls of Pine Bush Elementary School";
— Micki Nevett, library media specialist at Westmere Elementary School, encourages visits with celebrated authors whose "work inspires students and staff alike," said Principal Deborah Drumm. She has served on the prestigious Caldecott and Newberry award selection committees. Noting that Where the Wild Things Are is one of Nevett’s favorite books, Drumm concluded, "Let the wild rumpus start as Micki brings books alive";
— Michelle Romano, art teacher at Farnsworth Middle School, is a Guilderland graduate and was described as "homegrown" by her supervisor, Sheila Elario. She also said Romano is "an ongoing learner" and has a "high level of perseverance and energy." She was credited for turning the school’s walls into art galleries, displaying student work. "There’s no stopping Michelle," said Elario;
— Mary Schmitz, a teaching assistant at Guilderland Elementary School, was lauded as a true professional who constantly assesses the needs of her students, creating and modifying materials and brainstorming with teachers to best meet each child’s needs. She sweeps the building during fire drills, looking out for each student’s safety, said Principal Dianne Walshhampton. "Mary Schmitz sees a need or anticipates a need and offers to help," said Drumm;
— Demian Singleton, math-science supervisor at Farnsworth Middle School, "translates passion into action," said Principal Mary Summermatter. His colleagues call him creative, energetic, and supportive — a model of professionalism, she said. "Demian inspires, enriches, and raises the bar, bringing out the best in all of us," said Summermatter;
— Yvette Terplak, teacher, was lauded as the glue of Altamont Elementary School. She was praised for her positive attitude and for the many activities she has been involved with outside of the classroom in her 35 years with the district. The current Altamont principal, Peter Brabant, read through decades of praise of Terplak’s teaching from previous principals. He quoted Susan Tangorre, saying Terplak is "a bit like the Energizer Bunny: She keeps going and going and going";
— Bernice Williams, secretary at Lynnwood Elementary School, was called a mainstay in the office for more than 15 years who always has a smile and a friendly attitude. Principal Jim Dillon said, "Bernice and I are real kindred spirits." He humorously described some of the escapades they’d been through and said he couldn’t have "stayed principal all these years without her." Williams, he said, "keeps the heart and spirit going at Lynnwood with joy and love."