District 191 employees recognized for excellence

Eleven individuals and two teams of Burnsville-Eagan-Savage School District 191 staff members are being recognized for their extraordinary contributions to the One91 community with 2026 Community of Excellence (COE) Awards. 

“One91 staff members are always demonstrating so much talent, knowledge, compassion and dedication,” said Superintendent Dr. Latanya Daniels. “This year’s award winners are exemplary and deserving representatives, and I’m incredibly grateful for all of their contributions.”

Students, parents, community members and staff members were invited to nominate employees for the awards, which were first awarded in 2016. A selection committee that included past recipients reviewed nominations and made selections. The award ceremony to honor COE recipients will begin at 4:45 p.m. on Thursday, April 9, in the Mraz Center at Burnsville High School.

The 2026 One91 COE Award Recipients are:

Collaboration and Partnership

• One91 Virtual Academy Elementary core teaching team of Kirenza Cooper, Jessica Davidson, Jill Miller, Amy Olson and Tanja Putman
• Jonalyn Lippka, teacher 

Community Engagement

• Spanish-Speaking Cultural Liaison team, including Maricela Dale, Luisa Gaona, Heidi Grant, Mary Lopez, Anna-Maria Riveros, Cynthia Ruiz, Andrei Santamaria, Marsha Santiago-Toledano and Priscila Wild

Excellence in Educational Support

• Kim Ulrich, educational assistant
• Jamie Schonewill, administrative assistant
• Joy Demuth, labor relations manager

Teaching Excellence

• Dewy Barton, 6th grade teacher
• Kasey Anderson, work experience teacher

Innovation

• Michele Carroll, business teacher

Leadership in Action

• Kelly Ronn, principal

Spirit of Excellence

• Mary Lopez, cultural liaison 

More than 70 nominations were received for this year’s awards, demonstrating the depth and variety of ways that District 191 staff members support students, families and each other. Congratulations to everyone who was nominated. 

Along with the award winners listed above, this year’s nominees were: Amy Tucci, Jeanine Riggs, Isis Buchanan, Jay Lepper, Madison Carter, Gloria Webber, Kristina Aars, Jackie Sorensen, Laura Hermansen, the Elementary RBT team, Monique Funches, Jaque Farrell and Heidi Grant, the BHS food & nutrition team, Michael Ceola, Ann Gambucci, Alison Drutowski, Kevin Silberman, Jennifer Bohr, Mark Glende and Kyle Hinrichsen, Dang King and Jeff Gallus, Ruthanne Mussetter, Randy Geditz, Joe Kinsella, the district Technology Department, Chris Robasse, Drew Wolke, Madison McKinney and Marlene Bad Warrior, Aaron Tinklenberg, Sarah Richardson, Elementary Media educational assistants, Elizabeth Warren, Jen Gandrud and Kellie Allman, the Neill Elementary Special Education team, Amy Piotrowski, Robin Dayneko, Ken Essay, Jen Houtman, the BHS Physical Education department, and Jennifer Le Vvintre. 

Read more about the Community of Excellence Awards online at www.isd191.org/COEAwards.