Puyallup School District
PSD Award of Excellence 2026 Recipients
![A golden trophy with the PSD logo stands prominently in the foreground, while a banner in the background announces the "PSD Award of Excellence 2026 Recipients" and encourages viewers to "Read More At PuyallupSD.org".]([{"url":"https://resources.finalsite.net/images/f_auto,q_auto,t_image_size_1/v1772133443/puyallupk12waus/yhcxalrzntehlxmchawy/PSDAwardofExcellence2026RecipientsPhotos.png","width":256},{"url":"https://resources.finalsite.net/images/f_auto,q_auto,t_image_size_2/v1772133443/puyallupk12waus/yhcxalrzntehlxmchawy/PSDAwardofExcellence2026RecipientsPhotos.png","width":512},{"url":"https://resources.finalsite.net/images/f_auto,q_auto,t_image_size_3/v1772133443/puyallupk12waus/yhcxalrzntehlxmchawy/PSDAwardofExcellence2026RecipientsPhotos.png","width":800},{"url":"https://resources.finalsite.net/images/f_auto,q_auto,t_image_size_4/v1772133443/puyallupk12waus/yhcxalrzntehlxmchawy/PSDAwardofExcellence2026RecipientsPhotos.png","width":1200},{"url":"https://resources.finalsite.net/images/f_auto,q_auto,t_image_size_5/v1772133443/puyallupk12waus/yhcxalrzntehlxmchawy/PSDAwardofExcellence2026RecipientsPhotos.png","width":1600},{"url":"https://resources.finalsite.net/images/f_auto,q_auto/v1772133443/puyallupk12waus/yhcxalrzntehlxmchawy/PSDAwardofExcellence2026RecipientsPhotos.png","width":1792}])
Puyallup School District proudly announces the 2026 Celebrating Excellence Award recipients!
What is the Celebrating Excellence Awards Program?
The Celebrating Excellence awards program, now in its fourth year, honors and recognizes staff, volunteers, and community partners for their outstanding work and unwavering commitment to excellence in supporting the success of students and schools within the Puyallup School District. This annual program serves as a testament to the remarkable dedication and contributions of those who go above and beyond in fostering a thriving educational community.
Join Us in Honoring this Year's Recipients
All award recipients will be honored at the April 14, 2026, School Board meeting. The meeting will be held at 6:00 p.m. at the Kessler Center's Tillicum Room, located at 1501 - 39th Ave SW in Puyallup.
Families, friends, and colleagues are invited to attend in person or virtually to join the celebration. The meeting link will be posted here no later than 24 hours before the meeting.
How Were the Recipients Selected?
The award recipients were selected from over 500 nominations submitted by staff, students, families, and community members.
The selection committee, comprised of staff and student representatives, judged the nominations using a rubric that measured their achievements, collaboration, and contributions to programs, activities, and an inclusive culture.
Award recipients in two additional categories: Volunteer of the Year and Community Partner of the Year will be announced soon.
Administrator of the Year
Danielle Baker - Zeiger Elementary
Elementary Educator of the Year
Sara Clerget-Pricco - Spinning Elementary
Secondary Educator of the Year
Catherine Roe - Stahl Junior High
CTE Educator of the Year
Thomas Jauch - Emerald Ridge High School
Educational Specialist of the Year
Christina Bren - Puyallup High School
Paraeducator of the Year
Heather Vitzthum - Emerald Ridge High School
Support Staff of the Year
Travis Taplin - Kalles Junior High
Office Staff of the Year
Chris Haase - ESC/109 Building
Health, Wellness, and Safety Staff of the Year
Gabe Maldonado - Puyallup Open Doors/Walker High School
Substitute of the Year
Ryann Todd - Firgrove Elementary
More News
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![Puyallup School District graphic promoting the Early Entrance to Kindergarten (PEEK) program for children born September 1–30, 2021. Families must attend an information session to apply for the 2026–27 school year. Photo shows young children seated together in a classroom]([{"url":"https://resources.finalsite.net/images/f_auto,q_auto,t_image_size_1/v1769796862/puyallupk12waus/lamxhgjz8h9x18s9ghbb/PEEK1.png","width":256},{"url":"https://resources.finalsite.net/images/f_auto,q_auto,t_image_size_2/v1769796862/puyallupk12waus/lamxhgjz8h9x18s9ghbb/PEEK1.png","width":512},{"url":"https://resources.finalsite.net/images/f_auto,q_auto,t_image_size_3/v1769796862/puyallupk12waus/lamxhgjz8h9x18s9ghbb/PEEK1.png","width":800},{"url":"https://resources.finalsite.net/images/f_auto,q_auto,t_image_size_4/v1769796862/puyallupk12waus/lamxhgjz8h9x18s9ghbb/PEEK1.png","width":1200},{"url":"https://resources.finalsite.net/images/f_auto,q_auto,t_image_size_5/v1769796862/puyallupk12waus/lamxhgjz8h9x18s9ghbb/PEEK1.png","width":1600},{"url":"https://resources.finalsite.net/images/f_auto,q_auto/v1769796862/puyallupk12waus/lamxhgjz8h9x18s9ghbb/PEEK1.png","width":1792}])
![A dual language student]([{"url":"https://resources.finalsite.net/images/f_auto,q_auto,t_image_size_1/v1768497397/puyallupk12waus/puyallupk12waus/d0xcuda9evhcxb2gekqy/2025-26Spanish-DualLanguageRegistration.jpg","width":256},{"url":"https://resources.finalsite.net/images/f_auto,q_auto,t_image_size_2/v1768497397/puyallupk12waus/puyallupk12waus/d0xcuda9evhcxb2gekqy/2025-26Spanish-DualLanguageRegistration.jpg","width":512},{"url":"https://resources.finalsite.net/images/f_auto,q_auto,t_image_size_3/v1768497397/puyallupk12waus/puyallupk12waus/d0xcuda9evhcxb2gekqy/2025-26Spanish-DualLanguageRegistration.jpg","width":800},{"url":"https://resources.finalsite.net/images/f_auto,q_auto,t_image_size_4/v1768497397/puyallupk12waus/puyallupk12waus/d0xcuda9evhcxb2gekqy/2025-26Spanish-DualLanguageRegistration.jpg","width":1200},{"url":"https://resources.finalsite.net/images/f_auto,q_auto,t_image_size_5/v1768497397/puyallupk12waus/puyallupk12waus/d0xcuda9evhcxb2gekqy/2025-26Spanish-DualLanguageRegistration.jpg","width":1600},{"url":"https://resources.finalsite.net/images/f_auto,q_auto/v1768497397/puyallupk12waus/puyallupk12waus/d0xcuda9evhcxb2gekqy/2025-26Spanish-DualLanguageRegistration.jpg","width":1792}])