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

Torri Godwin is the Elementary Student of the Month. Susan Winter nominated Godwin.

Winter said that Godwin is excited about learning. She pays attention to what is being taught, and is always ready to answer a question or share her thoughts and ideas. During independent work time, she knows what she should be doing, and gets her work done. When the work is hard, she doesn’t give up. Godwin is a kind friend. She plays with everyone at recess and makes sure everyone is treated fairly. She is willing to work with any classmate during group or partner work. She tries her best to make good choices and takes responsibility for her actions.

“Torri comes to school every day with a smile on her face and ready to learn,” Winter said. “She has grown in so many ways this year. I am proud of the challenges she has overcome and the amazing first-grader she is now.” She is the daughter of Sean and Camellia Godwin.

Josh Beekman is the Middle School Student of the Month. The 7 Plum Down team of Alyssa Faylor, Martha Mericle, Kaitlyn McIntyre, Jeff Hatcher and Chris Donnelly nominated Beekman.

They said he is always raising his hand to participate and answer questions. He turns in work that is full of detail and done exceptionally well. He gets his work done and then offers to help other students. His contributions help the whole class learn. Beekman is polite and respectful to all students and adults, he includes everyone, asks others how their day is going, uses manners, and always has a smile on his face.

“Josh is a natural leader in and out of the classroom,” they said. “He’s an invaluable part of his cohort and helps keep the group glued together.” He is the son of Jesse and Heather Beekman.

Colby Doebel is the Senior High Student of the Month. Shanna Black, a Fort Dodge Middle School teacher, nominated Doebel. She said that he has been going to the middle school each week to teach two students about computers and how to build their own. He does a great job teaching them and listening to them, and they love learning from a high school student. Doebel explains things, answers questions and is so patient with them. He probably doesn’t even realize that he has become a mentor for the younger students. He has taken the initiative to take time out of his own schedule to teach these students.

“He is responsible and is a great teacher for them,” Black said. He is the son of Dave and Kirsten Doebel.

Jessie Palmer is the Employee of the Month. Chloe McCollough and Crystal Kliegl nominated Palmer.

They both shared that Palmer models good character and kindness by always being willing to help students and coworkers. McCollough said as a first-year teacher, she is grateful Palmer checks on her regularly and provides assistance when needed. She said while Palmer is not her assigned mentor, and they don’t even teach the same content, she has become someone she looks to as a mentor because she is always willing to help. Kliegl said Palmer took the initiative to help a student who they both have in class by reaching out to check on the student’s missing assignments. She said Palmer respectfully helped her unpack her methodologies around missing/late work and that she appreciated the insight and that Palmer challenged her thinking.

“I valued this teachable moment and my current and future students will benefit from the lesson I learned by talking with Jessie,” Kliegl said.