Outstanding educators named for NK schools

By Staff report • April 9, 2024 1:30 am
NKSD courtesy images Bindi Ajula and Cori Goller.
NKSD courtesy images Bindi Ajula and Cori Goller.

Fourteen from Kitsap County were recognized as Outstanding Educators March 19 at Poulsbo City Hall.

Over 220 educators have been recognized since the program began in 2011. Among this year’s recipients were 14 from the Central Kitsap and North Kitsap School Districts.

Bindi Ajula, math and science teacher, and Cori Goller, behavior interventionist, are both from Kingston Middle School. Lisa Grey-Fritz teaches history and AP history at Kingston High School. Fourth-grade teacher Molly Usher, fourth/fifth grade Options teacher Timothy Wilkinson, and behavior interventionist Ryan Black are educators at Wolfle Elementary. Also honored were three NK administrators: Travis Smith, Vinland principal; Beth Bourque, director of Inclusive Education/ assistant Special Education director; and Kari Brumley, director of Elementary Education.

Klahowya Secondary School teacher Anne Adams was among the Central Kitsap educators recognized. “Team Cottonwood’s” special education teachers Mary Brennan, Jocelyn Julian and Erin Rodriguez were honored in absentia by their principal. A special honoring was awarded to Cottonwood primary teacher Amy Sudbeck who died in January. Her brother, Chip Sudbeck of Portland, accepted the honor.

The awards were given by the Alpha Sigma Kitsap Chapter of the DKG International Society for Leading Women Educators. Members of the Chief Kitsap Academy Song and Dance Group performed an honoring drumming and welcome song. DKG promotes educational excellence through service and personal and professional growth, including leadership development. There are approximately 55,000 members worldwide. The Alpha Sigma Chapter, founded in 1961, draws members from Bainbridge Island, Silverdale, Bremerton and NK. Honorees were nominated by administrators, fellow teachers, and parents and students and selected on the basis of their record for exemplary teaching, student success in the classroom and leadership in education.

“Educators are unsung heroes,” Poulsbo Mayor Becky Erickson said. “They are dealing with significant stress in their jobs and yet come every day ready to serve our children.”