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Staff members honored for excellence and service to UA Schools

Each August, Upper Arlington Schools recognizes staff members for exceptional service to our schools and our community. Recognitions include district-level honors, building-level honors and years of service — and this year, more than 50 staff members were recognized in these categories.


Receiving district-level employee of the year awards were:


  • District Teacher of the Year: Tricia Fellinger, German teacher, Upper Arlington High School

  • Classified Employees of the Year: Cheenie Kinney, Transportation; Derrick Kindrix, Operations; Dianna Vernon, Nutritional Services; and Jayne Schott, Tremont Elementary School, Secretarial/Bookkeeping Division 

  • Support Staff Employee of the Year: Christy Blamer, educational aide, Tremont Elementary School

  • Administrator of the Year: Keith Pomeroy, chief academic officer


Receiving building-level teacher of the year awards were:


  • Kristin Liggett, intervention specialist, Barrington Elementary School

  • Rachel Jones, preschool teacher, Burbank Early Childhood School

  • Laura Kunkle, school counselor, Greensview Elementary School

  • Margie Belair, science teacher, Jones Middle School

  • Diane Balog, science teacher, Hastings Middle School

  • Angela Morway, kindergarten teacher, Tremont Elementary School

  • Shannon Hemmelgarn, media specialist, Windermere Elementary School

  • Amy Tolson, speech-language pathologist, Wickliffe Progressive Elementary School


In its second year, the Joanie Dugger Educators of the Year Fund through the Upper Arlington Education Foundation honors three educators - one from each level - who receive funding for projects of their choice. The fund was created in loving memory of Joanie Dugger, who retired as executive director of the Upper Arlington Education Foundation in 2018 after 17 years of dedication to “Enhancing What Matters Most.”  The 2021 Joanie Dugger Educators of the Year recipients are: Laura Kunkle, Greensview Elementary School; Margie Belair, Jones Middle School; and Tricia Fellinger, Upper Arlington High School.


The Nancy Losekamp Career Development Leadership Award is also awarded to three teachers each year - one from each level - in recognition of their work to engage students in service learning. This year’s recipients are: Blythe Lamont, second grade, Greensview Elementary School; Catherine Shapiro, school counselor, Hastings Middle School; and Tricia Fellinger, Upper Arlington High School. 


Additionally, 34 staff members were recognized for 20 years of service to Upper Arlington Schools, and three staff members were honored for 30 years of service to the district.