The Fort Dodge Community School District has announced its students and employee of the month for January. This program recognizes one elementary, one middle school and one high school student, as well as one staff member monthly for exceeding expectations.

Miles Sanders is the elementary student of the month.

Lisa Reisner and Racquel Benegas nominated Sanders. They said Sanders works hard at all he does. He thinks outside the box and shares his thinking with others. Sanders helps his peers recognize strategies and pushes their thinking. His effort to make sure everyone is included and understands in group work is commendable. Sanders always gives his best effort and goes out of his way to help others. He holds doors for teachers who have their hands full. He waits to hold the door for all students leaving Duncombe every day. He noticed all the lunch trays had fallen one day, spilling the leftover food. Sanders spent his recess picking up, organizing, and cleaning to help out.

They concluded, “Miles goes above and beyond to help his classmates, school and anyone he encounters. He is very responsible, has a good sense of humor and is a joy to have in class.”

He is the son of Lenny and Molly Sanders.

Javier Barillas Palencia is the middle school student of the month.

Zandra Maldonado nominated Barillas Palencia. She said he gives maximum effort to do good quality work and quickly takes the initiative to redo or complete missing work. When you look at Barillas Palencia, you see a happy young man. He is positive, kind, and helpful. He’s respectful and is always willing to read both in English and Spanish. Although he walks around with a smile, while reading the book “Esperanza Rising” he shared with the class his struggles of being an immigrant and moving from Guatemala to the United States. Because he speaks both English and Spanish well, he often steps in to help translate directions to ensure that his ELL classmates understand what is being expected of them. She concluded, “I really appreciate Javier. I can count on him to help when I am unable to. I’m proud of him and his efforts.” He is the son of Francisco and Dalila Palencia.

Camden Doster is the Fort Dodge Senior High student of the month. Austin Read nominated Doster.

He said Doster is always prepared for class and is very prompt. She works very hard and always does an exceptional job in class. Doster is always very friendly and willing to work with anyone that she is placed with. She is also very willing to help others that need it and cares about others’ success as well as her own. She is a rock star in the classroom and is very successful. She does everything that she is asked to do and always has a positive attitude.

He concluded, “Camden understands what it takes to succeed and has a very bright future ahead of her.” She is the daughter of Daniel and Tawnya Doster.

Shannon Grossnickle is the employee of the month. Jamie Harmon nominated Grossnickle.

Harmon said not only is Grossnickle a fantastic teacher of the curriculum, but she is always looking for ways to incorporate more creativity and student ownership into the learning. She creates learning experiences from scratch to allow students more opportunities to show off their learning and connect it to real-world experiences. She creates a space where students feel comfortable and empowered to share their lives and knowledge. Oftentimes, students differ from one another in these areas, but Grossnickle makes this a student strength rather than a weakness.

She pushes them to grow as learners and as human beings in our community. Not only is she there to help her students, but she is a great support of the team and school. She shares her ideas with her co-workers and wants them to grow as well.

She concluded, “Shannon meets people where they are, and she is there beside them to help them succeed and grow, students and adults alike. She is a great role model for her students and co-workers.”