BOARD EMPLOYEE SPOTLIGHT 2024-25

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April - Amanda Crom


Amanda Crom, a route driver for the Laramie County School District 1 Transportation Department, has been selected for the LCSD1 Board Employee Spotlight for the month of April. 

Crom has been a dedicated LCSD1 employee since 2019, consistently going above and beyond in her role. Supervisors note that she “wears many hats” and is the go-to person if they need a helpful hand. 

In addition to her weekly route, she is on the snow crew and cold start crew. She helps maintain the bus wash, helps with striping the parking lot and drives for field trips. During the summer she also mows the grass. 

Crom is known for her exceptional attendance, having a great attitude and being easy to get along with.

March - Margaret Robinson

Margaret Robinson, head cashier at Sunrise Elementary, has been selected for the Laramie County School District 1 Board Employee Spotlight for the month of March. 

For 10 years, Robinson has been a dedicated LCSD1 employee who consistently creates a positive and enjoyable work environment. She has a strong rapport with the students and is known for being a reliable and supportive colleague. Robinson also plays an important role in strengthening the Nutrition Services team.

February - Tracy Notgrass

Tracy Notgrass, library paraeducator at Rossman Elementary, has been selected for the Laramie County School District 1 Board Employee Spotlight for the month of February. 

Notgrass has been a dedicated LCSD1 employee for 27 years, consistently going above and beyond in her role. Supervisors note that Notgrass strives to make the Rossman library an enjoyable place for students and plans lessons that are educational and fun. 

Notgrass is also known for being willing to mentor new library paraeducators so they can be successful.

January - Milo Gurule

Milo Gurule, head custodian at Freedom Elementary, has been selected for the Laramie County School District 1 Board Employee Spotlight for the month of January. 

Gurule has been a valued member of the custodial team since 2002, consistently going above and beyond in his role. Supervisors note that they can always rely on him to assist at other buildings, confident that he will treat each one with the same care and attention as his own.

Gurule is known for being willing to assist whenever and wherever help is needed.

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2025–2026 Teacher of the Year

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Christina Mayle selected as 2025–2026 LCSD1 Teacher of the Year


Christina Mayle, a sixth grade math and science teacher at Meadowlark Elementary, was selected as the 2025–2026 Laramie County School District 1 Teacher of the Year. She was notified of the award at a surprise school assembly on Thursday, April 24 and will be recognized by the LCSD1 Board of Trustees at their meeting on Monday, May 19.

Mayle has been a professional educator at LCSD1 for 21 years, teaching students from kindergarten through sixth grade. She has been with Meadowlark Elementary since it opened in 2016.

According to her nomination form, which was submitted by a parent of one of her students, Mayle adjusts her teaching to address student needs and encourages students to do their best.

“She recognizes kids who need help and also recognizes students who can do more,” the nomination form said. 

Mayle holds an associate degree in education from Laramie County Community College, a bachelor’s degree in elementary education and a bachelor’s degree in K–12 exceptional education from the University of Wyoming. She is currently in two master’s programs at the University of Wyoming.

Mayle’s students say she has a knack for making learning fun.

“I love how Mrs. Mayle teaches great ways to learn math and how she plays games with us,” Chandler Haymes, one of Mayle’s students, said.

“She makes learning fun for everybody and she always brings up the mood,” Isla Durst, another of her students, added.

Mayle will move on to represent the district in the Wyoming Teacher of the Year competition.

To be selected as the LCSD1 Teacher of the Year, teachers are nominated by students, staff or community members. Teachers then fill out an application form which is reviewed by a selection committee made up of LCSD1 staff from diverse roles and departments in the district, as well as community members.

This year, 37 nominees turned in applications. The selection committee scored the applications and chose an elementary, a junior high and a high school teacher to continue as finalists.

Along with Mayle, this year’s finalists were Carey Junior High English language arts teacher Alyssa Minor and South High physical science teacher Caitlin Russ.

Also nominated were Raven Alexander, Phillip Bennet, Erica Bromagen, Zamboni Brown, Paige Cathcart, Kallie Coonce, Liz Edington, Shayna Flanagan, Leslie Fox, Natalie Frey, Ashley Garcia, Julie Grant, Cristin Green, Lisa Harbeson, Tiffany Hopkins, Tawny Kelly, Jeremiah Kolkman, Julie Kramer, April Maitner, Joanmarie Marks, Misti Motisi, Klara Oligschlaeger, Courtney Paul, Travis Pearson, Bryce Ramsey, Ali Rose, Michelle Ross, Ty Severson, Melissa Shantz, Stephanie Sturtevant, Christan Tschacher, Ryan Walk, Scott Washenfelder and Janet Weisbrook.

All nominees that applied will be recognized at the May 19 Board meeting.

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2024-2025 Educational Support Person of the Year winners

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Laramie County School District 1 announced the winners of this year’s Educational Support Person of the Year (ESPY) awards. Heidi Pfoor, a social worker at McCormick Junior High, received the Student Support award and Wendy Gains, the office manager at Triumph High, received the District Support award.

The winners, along with 26 other LCSD1 staff members, were nominated by their fellow staff, their students or other community members for displaying a level of professionalism and dedication worthy of this award. The ESPY award has two divisions: the Student Support award is given to a staff member who works with students as their primary duty, while the District Support award is given to a staff member who supports LCSD1 by other means.

Pfoor was selected as the Student Support Person of the Year for her tireless efforts to serve the students of McCormick Junior High. According to her nomination form, even though Pfoor does not directly work with every student, nearly every student at McCormick knows and seeks her support, approval and guidance.

“It is impossible to measure the significance of an impact on a student life,” her nomination form states, “but when I consider the ways in which Heidi has supported students at McCormick Junior High, I am certain she has not only saved but improved countless lives.”

The District Support award was given to Gains due to her effectiveness in supporting Triumph High staff and her personal policy of treating staff and students with dignity and respect.

“Without Wendy, we wouldn’t be able to meet the needs of the students,” the form states. “(She) sees into the future and knows what needs to be completed before a teacher or student asks. She is always one step ahead of us.”

Pfoor and Gains were selected from five finalists, which included Christine Fitzgerald, a library paraeducator at Arp Elementary; Andria Mason, a secretary at Central High; and Carolyn Peterson, a special education paraeducator at Triumph High.

Also nominated were April Barker, Jaclyn Baxter, Misty Binstock, Sydney Brennecke, Gardenia Castro, Jill Curry, Megan Elkins, Caroline Enns, April Eslick, Stacey Ferguson, Kim Harrison, Fredrick Hurlburt, Kristin Layman, Karen Low, Renee Lumaye, Nichole Lyon, Zanyaille Lyons, Maggie Peel, Kathy Ponder, Brenda Schroeder, Gardner Skillern, Amanda Wilson and Amanda Wolff.

LCSD1 thanks all of these nominees for their fantastic work. The LCSD1 Board of Trustees will recognize the ESPY nominees during their May 5 meeting.

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