Ritenour Announces 2025 Top District Employees
The Ritenour “prize patrol” surprised four top Ritenour staff members on March 10 in their schools to announce that they’ve been selected as the 2025 top district employees: Ritenour Diamond Circle Teacher of the Year, Employee of the Year, Make A Difference Award honoree and First Class Teacher.
- Elizabeth Harms, an English language learner teacher at Marvin Elementary, is the district’s 2025 Diamond Circle Teacher of the Year.
- Alejandro Tagle, a district maintenance professional, is the 2025 Diamond Circle Employee of the Year.
- Tavonda Palmer Harvey, director of Husky Academy, is the Make A Difference Award honoree.
- Julia Christopher, a second grade teacher at Iveland Elementary, is this year’s First Class Teacher.
The top four district awards are given to Ritenour teachers and staff who best exemplify the district’s commitment to quality education and service.
As the district’s Teacher of the Year, Harms will compete against other teachers statewide for the Missouri State Teacher of the Year Award. Harms, who grew up in Ritenour schools and graduated from Ritenour High School, has taught at Marvin for 16 years. In addition to teaching Marvin students, Harms has been on the school’s Positive Behavior Interventions and Supports (PBIS) team and has presented at the TESOL (Teachers of English for Students of Other Languages) International Conference.
"She has created a classroom where students gain the confidence to use their voices, embrace challenges and see themselves as capable, thriving learners,” said Marvin Principal Dr. Craig Thurman. “For many of her students and their families, school can be overwhelming, but they know they can count on her for support both with academics and wrap-around supports offered in our community. Beyond her students and their families, Ms. Harms is a trusted mentor for her colleagues and great example of Ritenour excellence.”
As Diamond Circle Employee of the Year, Tagle is known for going above and beyond not only as an outstanding maintenance professional but as a person who is a mentor for students and colleagues.
"Mr. Tagle isn’t just dependable—he’s the person everyone turns to when they need something done right and with a positive attitude,” said Superintendent Dr. Chris Kilbride. “Whether he’s troubleshooting a tough maintenance issue, stepping in as an interpreter for a new family, or coaching our Husky wrestlers, he never hesitates to help. His work goes far beyond his job title—he strengthens our Ritenour community by building trust and making a positive impact on everyone he meets."
The Make A Difference Award annually recognizes a staff member who goes above and beyond in meeting the needs of the whole child. Harvey, who grew up in Ritenour and graduated from Ritenour High School, continues to make a significant impact on students by removing barriers on their path to graduation.
"Ms. Harvey’s tireless dedication to the success of her students and staff is truly evident in the many different ways she supports each person in her building,” said Dr. Kilbride. “Her drive, energy and passion to advocate for her students make her an outstanding asset to our entire community. She goes above and beyond to remove obstacles and to ensure that every student knows they are valued.”
Ritenour’s First-Class teacher traditionally honors an outstanding first- or second-year teacher. Christopher is in her second year of teaching at Iveland.
“In just two years, Ms. Christopher has made an incredible impact by fostering a classroom environment where students feel understood, confident and motivated to grow,” said Iveland Principal Amanda Connelly. “She recognizes each child’s unique story and helps them see their own strengths, and then use those strengths to build a wonderful learning community in her room.”
In January, the district announced Diamond Circle Teachers at the building level. Awardees are selected each year by colleagues in their buildings. This year’s honorees are:
- Buder Elementary - Julie Lewis, English language learner teacher
- Iveland Elementary - Logan Felder, music teacher
- Kratz Elementary - Nicole Damaso, second grade
- Marion Elementary - Maria Gilmore, music teacher
- Marvin Elementary- Elizabeth Harms, English language learner teacher
- Wyland Elementary - Christina Hardie, library media teacher
- Hoech Middle School - Maria Fassett, sixth grade math teacher
- Ritenour Middle School - Dr. Carrie Brumm, sixth grade English language arts teacher
- Ritenour High School - Molly Dahlquist, English language arts teacher
- Husky Academy - Wilma Higgins, middle school math teacher
All award recipients, as well as staff who have served in Ritenour for 25 years and our 2024-2025 retirees, will be recognized at the district’s annual Honors Dinner on Thursday, April 24 at the Ritenour Auditorium.