Ritenour Announces 2026 Diamond Circle Teachers
Ritenour School District's 2026 Diamond Circle teachers were introduced during Winter Convocation on Jan. 5 to more than 900 staff members in the Costilow Fieldhouse at Ritenour High School.
Diamond Circle Awards are given to Ritenour teachers who best exemplify a commitment to children, a vision for education, and passion and dedication to the profession. Honorees are selected each year by colleagues in their buildings. Staff members, students and families nominate teachers each fall.
Congratulations to this year’s Diamond Circle honorees:
- Ritenour School for Early Childhood - Michelle Smith, early childhood teacher
- Buder Elementary - Mary Sutherland, third grade teacher
- Iveland Elementary - Hannah Meyer, kindergarten teacher
- Kratz Elementary - Mary Khankeo, English learner teacher
- Marion Elementary - Danielle Elliott, second grade teacher
- Marvin Elementary- Amanda Gaston, interventionist
- Wyland Elementary - Stacey Bray, interventionist
- Hoech Middle School - Monica Amos, eighth grade math teacher
- Ritenour Middle School - Lisa Watkins, reading specialist
- Ritenour High School - Denise Schindler, family and consumer science teacher
In March, Ritenour will announce the district Diamond Circle Teacher of the Year, as well as the Diamond Circle Employee of the Year, Make A Difference Award Winner and First Class (top first/second-year) Teacher. All will be recognized at the annual Honors Dinner on Thursday, April 24 in Ritenour Auditorium.
