2018 Teacher Of The Year Announced

By Grace Usher

Eight teachers were awarded 2018 “Teacher of the Year” for their schools at the Chamber of Commerce Mixer Thursday afternoon.

Of the eight teachers awarded, one teacher was named the Lake Havasu Unified School District “Teacher of the Year.”

There were two separate honorees in the categories of “Rookie of the Year” and “Staff Member of the Year.”

Teacher of the Year, District Level:

Tara Smith
Special Education Instructor
Oro Grande Elementary School

Teachers of the Year, Campus Level:

Nina Mersing
First Grade Instructor
Nautilus Elementary School

Nicole Kuch
Second Grade Instructor
Havasupai Elementary School

Tamara Yates
Instructional Interventionist
Smoketree Elementary School

Jamie Hammer
Third Grade Instructor
Jamaica Elementary School

Rebecca Pehling
Special Education Instructor
Starline Elementary

Tara Smith
Special Education Department
Oro Grande Elementary School

Lindsey Bitterman
Seventh Grade Mathematics Instructor
Thunderbolt Middle School

Larry Olsen
Ninth-12th Grade Mathematics Instructor
Lake Havasu High School

LHUSD Rookie of the Year:

Ashlee Byerley
Ninth Grade English Instructor
Lake Havasu High School

LHUSD Staff Member of the Year:

Manuel Furtado
Custodial Member
Lake Havasu High School

Manuel Furtado receives an award for LHUSD Staff Member of the Year. Jillian Danielson/RiverScene

All honorees received an award made of glass inscribed with the recipient’s name and award title.

The Lake Havasu Unified School District Teacher of the Year received an award made of glass and a proclamation by Mayor Mark Nexsen marking May 17, 2018 “Tara Smith Day.”

The honoree also received a $250 gift card to Mudshark Brewery as well as a menu item named “The Tara Smith.”

The Grand prize for the LHUSD Teacher of the Year was a 2018 Toyota Camry donated by Anderson Chrysler. The vehicle was given to the honoree for one year of use with all expenses paid.

The staff and faculty honorees were nominated by co-workers and parents at their schools.