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Employee Recognition

Strong schools depend upon the people who bring them to life every day. Our Human Resources Department motto is Where you are always SEEN (Supported, Educated, Encouraged, and Nurtured). Recognition goes well beyond the classroom. The District prioritizes the celebration of teachers and support teams who keep schools running strong. From bus drivers and custodians to classroom teachers and coaches, MRH shines a light on everyday contributions throughout the year. Staff are saluted in newsletter

Strong schools depend upon the people who bring them to life every day. Our Human Resources Department motto is Where you are always SEEN (Supported, Educated, Encouraged, and Nurtured).

Recognition goes well beyond the classroom. The District prioritizes the celebration of teachers and support teams who keep schools running strong. From bus drivers and custodians to classroom teachers and coaches, MRH shines a light on everyday contributions throughout the year. Staff are saluted in newsletters through Blue Devil Spotlights, “What’s Your Why” and “What’s Your SuperPower” social media features, and honored during specialized appreciation days, Board of Education meetings and the springtime Board of Education Employee Recognition and Distinguished Awards.

Recently, the board approved Hilight, a new staff-to-staff online recognition tool. This system allows employees to share personal shoutouts and tokens of thanks for “everyday wins,” helping staff feel appreciated and connected all year long.

Local businesses and community partners add to the recognition with incentives, discounts, sponsorships, and words of thanks. Community America Credit Union has been a longtime supporter, sponsoring financial awards for MRH’s Support Staff of the Year and Teacher of the Year awards. Winners have also been celebrated with preferred parking spaces, certificates, and even premium St. Louis Cardinals tickets.

At MRH, celebrating staff is not a once-a-year tradition; it’s part of the culture.

2026 Honorees

On Monday, February 9, 2026, the Maplewood Richmond Heights School District celebrated its Teachers of the Year and Support Staff Members of the Year, honorees selected not by administrators, but by their colleagues. Employees voted to recognize peers whose daily work makes a real difference for students, families and coworkers alike.

The awards were announced through surprise visits to each honoree’s workspace, a small but intentional gesture meant to honor people where they do the work that matters most. Each recipient received a cash prize and premium tickets to a St. Louis Cardinals game courtesy of CommunityAmerica Credit Union, but the recognition itself carried a deeper meaning: affirmation from peers who see the impact of their work up close, every day.

The 2026 Teachers of the Year, one from each school building, reflect the diverse strengths and shared values that define MRH classrooms.

  • Early Childhood Center: Kristin Corrigan
  • Elementary School: Heather Jaber
  • Middle School: Christine Demijan
  • High School: David Ganey

Support staff members, whose contributions are essential to the success of every school,were also honored, with one recipient from each building and one districtwide award.

  • Early Childhood Center: Meagan Crombie
  • Elementary School: Rashonda Sloan
  • Middle School: Glennis Wagner
  • High School: Dawn Colnaghi
  • Districtwide Support Staff Member of the Year: Neil Shah

All honorees will now move forward for consideration as MRH’s all-district Teacher of the Year and Support Staff Member of the Year.

More than a celebration of individual achievement, these awards highlight a collective truth: great schools are built by teams. MRH is grateful to every employee who took time to nominate and vote, and to all staff members who show up daily for students and for one another.