Ritenour Announces 2026 Top District Employees
The Ritenour “prize patrol” surprised four top Ritenour staff members on March 9 in their schools to announce that they’ve been selected as the 2026 top district employees: Ritenour Diamond Circle Teacher of the Year, Employee of the Year, Make A Difference Award honoree and First Class Teacher.
- Monica Amos, an eighth grade math teacher at Hoech Middle School, is the district’s 2026 Diamond Circle Teacher of the Year.
- Dr. Denizela Dorsey, a school social worker at Husky Academy and Ritenour High School, is the 2025 Diamond Circle Employee of the Year.
- Abbie Harcourt, a Special School District teacher at Hoech Middle School, is the Make A Difference Award honoree.
- Lauren Marino, a Ritenour Middle School music teacher, 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.
Ritenour Diamond Circle Teacher of the Year
As the district’s Diamond Circle Teacher of the Year, Amos will compete against other teachers statewide for the Missouri State Teacher of the Year Award. Amos came to HMS in 2023 as a math teacher after teaching sixth grade science and math in Tennessee for four years.
“Ms. Amos is the kind of educator every teacher strives to become and every principal hopes to have in their building," said HMS Principal Dr. Alexander Terrance. "Her classroom is alive with energy! Students are collaborating, discussing their ideas and truly experiencing math in ways that make it relevant and exciting.She builds such strong relationships with her students that they rise to the high expectations she sets, pushing themselves to deeper levels of learning because they know she believes in them."
In addition to teaching, Amos started a math club at HMS, giving students the opportunity to compete in St. Louis Math League competitions. Beyond supporting her students in math, Amos is often found cheering them on at athletic events and other extracurricular activities.
Diamond Circle Employee of the Year
As Diamond Circle Employee of the Year, Dr. Dorsey is known for strengthening school communities by the strong relationships she builds with students, staff and families. She has been a key player in transforming the student support network at Ritenour High School in addition to ongoing support she provides at Husky Academy.
“Teachers rely on her expertise, parents trust her deeply and students know they always have an advocate in her,” said Dr. Bruce Green, assistant superintendent for secondary education and lead administrator at Ritenour High School.
At Husky Academy, Dr. Dorsey is known for leading Mindful Monday social-emotional lessons and helping coordinate Parent University sessions that educate families on topics ranging from trauma to safe technology. She also supports staff as they navigate student needs and teaches students, staff and families about how the brain works.
“Whether responding to a crisis or providing everyday support, she approaches her work with compassion and dedication, ensuring students feel supported and families and staff are connected with the resources they need,” said Tavonda Palmer Harvey, director of alternative education at Husky Academy.
Make a Difference Award
The Make A Difference Award annually recognizes a staff member who goes above and beyond in meeting the needs of the whole child.
As this year’s Make a Difference honoree, Harcourt, is being recognized as both an outstanding special education teacher and an exceptional leader within both the special education team and the Hoech community. Through her leadership, collaborative spirit and tireless advocacy for students, she consistently ensures every learner has the support, instruction and encouragement they need to succeed.
“Ms. Harcourt has an extraordinary ability to connect with students and help them believe in themselves,” said Angi Fouste, SSD’s director of special education in Ritenour. “The remarkable growth we’re seeing in her students’ learning reflects not only her strong instruction, but also the compassion, excitement and encouragement she brings to her students every day.”
First-Class Teacher
Ritenour’s First-Class teacher traditionally honors an outstanding first- or second-year teacher. Marino is in her second year of teaching music at RMS.
During her two years at RMS, Marino has made an extraordinary impact in the school’s music program. Through innovation, leadership, and a passion for expanding opportunities in the arts, she has strengthened music programs for students, most notably by securing a grant to transform her classroom into a fully-equipped piano lab studio.
“As a new educator, Teacher Marino has demonstrated the vision, initiative and dedication that many teachers develop over years in the classroom," said RMS Principal Dr. Angela Chatman. "Her energy and dedication to our instrumental music program are contagious, making our school's music program one of the largest in the region. We are so proud to have her part of our community."
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:
- 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
All award recipients, as well as staff who have served in Ritenour for 25 years and our 2025-2026 retirees, will be recognized at the district’s annual Honors Dinner on Thursday, April 23 at the Ritenour Auditorium.