CAMPUS AWARDS

• Cherokee has been an labeled an "Excelling" School for 2006/2007 School year. Cherokee has been awarded the title of an "Excelling" School for the last 4 years!

• Teacher of the Week(Feb. 12, 2008)- Jenni Holland
  by Becky Kelbaugh(Special for the Republic)
  SCOTTSDALE - The Scottsdale Unified School District is highlighting Cherokee Elementary School kindergarten teacher Jenni Holland. Here's what parent and computer lab assistant Kris Smith had to say about her:
  " Jenni Holland is an excellent role model. She encourages students by finding their strengths and building upon them. Her love of teaching transcends into a love of learning for her students. Holland brings out their creativity and imagination as well as encouraging them to explore the world around them. She has a quiet, gentle manner that brings even the shyest child out of his/her shell. She is always researching better or different ways to teach concepts to the children and has very useful ideas for parents. Holland is dedicated to having a "team" that includes herself, the parents and the child. She re-enforces positive behavior and empowers the children by encouraging them to work out problems between themselves if they can. Holland is very consistent with discipline yet focuses more on what the child is doing right. As a kindergarten teacher, she is building firm foundations for these children in their education and their character. My daughter is fortunate to have her for a teacher. Holland is a wonderful representative of Cherokee Elementary and the Scottsdale Unified School District."
  Number of years teaching: 6.
  Number of years at district: 3.
  Number of years at Cherokee:3

• Teacher of the Week(Feb. 27, 2008)- Diane Dodge
  by Becky Kelbaugh(Special for the Republic)
  Fantastic, amazing, genuine, and dedicated are just a few words that describe Diane Dodge, Speech Pathologist at Cherokee Elementary School. Diane has taught in the Scottsdale Unified School District for 30 years. She is nationally certified with the American Speech Association and always keeps current in her field. Diane’s Speech Club is a strong program on the Cherokee campus. Students adore Diane and look forward to attending Speech Club. Diane works with students with a variety of special needs and adjusts instruction accordingly. She sets high standards for her role as a teacher. Not only has Diane been a Speech Pathologist in the district, she has also been a parent in the district. Her children Chris and Katie, attended Cherokee, Cocopah, and Chaparral high school as well.
  Diane goes above and beyond to work collaboratively with grade level teachers, parents, and the community. She has a very light-hearted and friendly personality. She is proactive in reaching out to the students and parents she works with. In her classroom, Diane sets quality standards of performance for all students to succeed. Furthermore, she works closely with the special education department on campus and conducts weekly special education meetings. She always comes to the table with solutions and thinks outside the box.
  Diane brings a positive spirit to our campus. She has terrific energy for learning and this radiates throughout her classroom and our campus. We are fortunate to have such a fantastic and dedicated teacher as Diane Dodge. Cherokee Elementary School wouldn’t be the same without her! We have an immense respect for all that Diane does with our children and the learning community. Through the years, her efforts have impacted the lives of hundreds of Scottsdale students.
  Number of years teaching: 32
  Number of years at district: 30
  Number of years at Cherokee:20

• Teacher of the Week(March 4, 2008) - Robin Ostroff
  by Becky Kelbaugh(Special for the Republic)
  SCOTTSDALE - The Scottsdale Unified School District is highlighting Cherokee Elementary School second grade teacher Robin Ostroff. Here's what parent Stacey Roswell had to say about her:
  "Robin Ostroff's extensive teaching experience and warm, creative and enthusiastic personality make her an outstanding teacher. She has a wonderful rapport with her second graders and the staff at Cherokee. Two annual events that are unique to her classroom are the celebration of the Chinese New Year and the End-of- the-Year Production for the parents, which sums up everything her class has learned in the school year. Ostroff's concern for every child, her spirit of cooperation and her love of learning have enhanced the lives of so many students, including my own children."
  Number of years teaching: 25.
  Number of years at district: 16.
  Number of years at Cherokee: 16
  Professional Memberships: Association of Professional Teachers.
  Accomplishments and Awards: In addition to post-graduate teacher certification, Robin is certified to teach early childhood and special education in the areas of mental retardation and emotion disturbance. She has also hosted 12 student teachers.

• Cherokee E.S. Panda Teacher Bronwyn Milhaven of Cherokee Elementary School’s PANDA Program is one of four recipient’s of this year’s Carol Gray Award. The national prize recognizes special education teachers who make a difference in the lives of children with autism. - Click here.

Cherokee Charros Winners 2007/2008
	Dana Bair is Cherokee's Charros Teacher of the Year. Dana has been teaching for 10 years (7 years at Cherokee). She is an ASU alumni and California/Arizona native. She enjoys teaching, hiking, and spending valuable time with her husband and two children.
	Tyla Portnoy is Cherokee's Charros Volunteer of the Year. Some of her favorite projects were for organizations that bettered the future for our children, Phoenix Children's Hospital, SAARC, Childhelp USA, Crisis Nursery, Free Arts of Arizona and many others. Currently she is heading our Character Counts! After School Program. Tyla really feels it has been fantastic involving our students, her daughter's contemporaries, into the process of "making a difference" by introducing them to public service and educating them about the many different needs in our society on a local and global level. Tyla and her husband Mitch have 1 daughter, Mia, who is currently in 3rd grade.
Former Cherokee Charros Teachers of the Year 2008 Dana Bair 2007 Pam Hornbeck 2006 Rose Riney 2005 Steven Ouchi 2004 Stacey Greene 2003 Barb Paulson 2002 Sheila Clasby 2001 Patti Geninatti 2000 Holly Rich 1999 Julie Sparks 1998 Lynne Carroll 1997 Mary Cree 1996 BJ Wiggins 1995 Shirley Thorne 1994 Stephanie Carmody 1993 Georgie Adams