Horizon 2025 - Flipbook - Page 38
STAFF STUFF
Middle School: Monica Orr
Monica Orr made a real difference in the lives of her
students through her expertise, consistency and unwavering
commitment. One parent shared, “She was nothing short of
phenomenal, offering the perfect balance of being firm yet
loving.” Another praised her for providing “the academic
challenge, emotional support and structured skill-building
that had a transformative impact on my child.”
From left: Shelton staff SPARK Award winners Monica Orr, Honey Harris,
Lisa Winkler, Claudia Kuhnast, Susan Sutton, Bailey Glass, Andrea Baker
and Sophia Van Den Handel
2024-2025 Shelton SPARK Awards Recognized Staff
Three Shelton teachers and five Shelton counselors received
the 2024–2025 Shelton Parents’ Association Recognition
Kudos (SPARK) Award at the May 23 Shelton End-of-theYear Staff Appreciation Luncheon. This marked the 10th year
that SPA presented the recognition. Awards were based on
comments received in the spring parent survey. Each winner
received a SPARK crystal statue, thanks to the coordination
of Shelton parent Emily Touchstone. They also received a
check from the Shelton Parents’ Association.
Lower School: Honey Harris
Lower School Head Christine Davis described Honey Harris
as a kind and caring spirit who served her students with
compassion while instilling the skills and confidence they
needed to thrive. Parents echoed that praise, with Molly
Hayes sharing, “Ms. Harris knew exactly how to gently
push, inspire and encourage each child to excel. Both of my
children overcame learning differences and now thrive with a
love of learning. She was a true gift to her students and one
of the reasons Shelton is such a special place.”
Betty Glasheen Award Supports Immersive Learning
Opportunity for Lower School Teacher
Lower School teacher Jill Alessandra-Garza received the
2025 Betty Glasheen Endowed Faculty Scholarship Award,
which supports unique professional development for Lower
School teachers.
Jill planned to explore Arizona’s deserts and Native
American sites to enrich her third and fourth graders’ study
of U.S. biomes with firsthand stories and materials.
The award honors longtime Shelton
supporter Betty “Mama G” Glasheen,
who served Shelton from 1979 to 2019
and often said, “If you’re lucky enough to
go to Shelton, you’re lucky enough.”
Jill Alessandra-Garza
Upper School: Sophia Van Den Handel
Upper School teacher Sophia Van Den Handel was
celebrated by Shelton parents for her creativity, calm
confidence and deep passion for writing. One parent shared,
“Her passion for reading and writing and international
experience gave her a depth of understanding of the world
around her that transcended into her classroom teaching.”
Ms. Van Den Handel motivated countless students to work
hard and dream big — especially through her leadership in
publishing Shelton’s Upper School Literary Magazine two
years in a row.
All Around: Shelton Counselors
This year’s All-Around SPARK Award went to Shelton’s
remarkable counseling team: Andrea Baker, Bailey Glass,
Claudia Kuhnast, Susan Sutton and Lisa Winkler. Here were
the comments about the team: “This team was committed to
supporting our students in their academic journey and their
personal well-being. They provided teachers with specific
social/emotional programming in each division to support
mental health concerns, character building and challenges
related to social media.”
Longevity Award Winners
Congratulations to the following staff members who
received Longevity Awards in May 2025:
10 years:
15 years:
Ed Barry
Christine Davis
Siew Chen
Nicole Jones
Mary Drexler
Krista Norwood
Hunter Duesing
Marsha Harris
20 years:
Tobin Knox
Chris Bedenbaugh
Lauren Magee
Phillip Carroll
Christie Morris
Tina Graves
Jennifer Ordaz
Adrain Hayes
Christy Sharpe
Stephanie McCain
Clare Stein
Meghan Miller
Kelly Van Den Handel
Will Riemer
Joni Williams
36
NOVEMBER 2025
THE HORIZON
SHELTON SCHOOL
