Ponderosa teacher named Employee of the Month

FIRST-GRADE TEACHER at Ponderosa, Dana Stiegemeier, was named the Outstanding School Employee of the Month at an all school assembly Tuesday. She was nominated by student Nicole Bouvia, who had one of the most creative nominations since the inception of the program.

Nicole used the letters in Stiegemeier's name to explain character traits she exhibits. "S" was for special to all her students, "T" was for tremendous teacher, "I" for intelligent and inspiring, "E" for encouraging other children, "G" for grateful for everything, "E" for explains things to others when needed, "M" for miraculous at teaching, "E" for eager to help students, "I" for impressive to our school, "E" for expert on reading and "R" for reading is her speciality.

"She has four E's in her name so it was a really big deal to try to think up four different things," said Nicole's mother, Sally Bouvia.

"I wrote it and then my mom showed me the spelling errors, and then I got a dictionary," said Nicole of her perfect spelling.

Nicole receives $10 for her participation, which she plans to save.

Eleven students held up each letter of Stiegemeier as they were read by Nicole with the help of Kelly Hawkins of the Coeur d'Alene Teachers' Credit Union, one of the sponsors of the contest.

Stiegemeier's entire family came to the assembly including two of her children, Austin, 18, and Kayla, 15. Her 21-year-old son, Dylan, is in Europe.

Her teaching career of 25 years has been spent at Ponderosa Elementary. She also has taught kindergarten, second and third grade. She graduated from Lakeland High School.

"Nicole told me she put in my name but I was really surprised," Stiegemeier said. "She is a very unique and creative student. It's my privilege to work with her."

One of Stiegemeier's other students, Parker Gabrielson, said, "She's a really nice teacher."

The Outstanding School Employee of the Month is also supported by Horace Mann Insurance and Parker Toyota. Stiegemeier's name will appear on the Parker Toyota reader board throughout the month of January. She also received a plaque and gift basket at the assembly.

Grant awarded

The Coeur d'Alene Public Library project to encourage preschool learning has received a $1,500 grant from Target Corp.

The grant supports LEAP, library early-learning activities program. LEAP is intended to give families reading and playtime together in a convenient package with an eye toward preparing children to read.

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