BATAVIA — At the end of April, Norlyn Manor hosted the 2026 Excellence in Education Awards ceremony, with hundreds of guests attending. Students, teachers, and support staff received accolades in three distinct categories. The theme of the event was “Clermont County: Our foundation is strong, and our future is bright.”
Rachel Treinen Photography
Each year, community organizers take time to recognize and honor many individuals who demonstrate leadership and engagement in the Clermont County school system. This year’s award recipients come from nine public school districts, two career centers, the Clermont County Board of Developmental Disabilities, and the Clermont County Educational Service Center.
These institutions serve not only as educational settings but as central hubs within the community, establishing the foundation for youth opportunity and growth. Building on this role, teachers and staff work year-round to promote education, safety, and career pathways for thousands of students across the county.
Rachel Treinen Photography
The event consistently draws a large audience every year, and public support for Clermont schools remains notably high. Organizers hope that continued support of staff and student leadership will inspire residents to support programs and incentives that encourage lifelong education.
The ceremony recognized 13 individuals who demonstrate outstanding leadership and contribute to student success. Although teachers serve as the public face of many schools in Clermont County, support staff carry out duties (often in the background) to ensure administration, sanitation, student services, and day-to-day operations function without major setbacks. Their diligence and commitment to outstanding education earn them honors.
Debbie Malott, Batavia Local Schools, Paraprofessional
Leadership recognizes Malott for her patience, organizational skills, and commitment to helping students graduate. She helps guide students who struggle with behavior and motivation, ensuring that each child has the individual support they need to succeed.
Angela Riffle, Bethel-Tate William Bick Primary, Classroom Aide
Riffle exemplifies excellence through steady and consistent leadership in the classroom. She reliably supports administrative staff and consistently puts forth great effort on every task.
Mariah Burns, Thomas A. Wildey School, Lifeguard and Instructor Assistant
Burns demonstrates professionalism through her roles as a lifeguard and an instructor assistant. She quickly distinguished herself through the highly structured, sensory-friendly routines she provided to her class.
Angela Jones, Clermont County ESC CEC South, Administrative Assistant
Jones works tirelessly to maintain smooth operations at CEC South. She goes above and beyond, often working late and over the summer to make sure that things are in order for the upcoming semester.
Megan Goldfuss, Clermont Northeastern Elementary School, Speech Pathologist
Goldfuss is a Speech Pathologist at CNE. Staff recognizes her compassion, her work as a volleyball coach, and her role as yearbook advisor. She quietly, though not without credit, completes her work on time and remains a valuable resource for students.
Michael Roush, Felicity-Franklin, Curriculum Integration/Technology Coordinator
Roush is the Curriculum Integration and Technology Coordinator for the Felicity-Franklin Local School District, supporting blended learning, effective educational technology implementation, and a district makerspace. Michael’s helps every student define and achieve what the highest level of success means for them.
Diane Davis, Goshen High School, Educational Support Aide
Davis wins an award for her outstanding, long‑term service and the immeasurable positive impact she has on students at Goshen High School and the Ascend Academy. She guides students academically with professionalism and patience, routinely attending community service field trips and leading by example.
Lori Wood, Grant Career Center, Treasurer Assistant
Organizers celebrate Wood’s 33 years of dedicated service to the Grant Career Center. Throughout her career in the Treasurer’s Office, Lori demonstrated dependability and attention to detail in her leadership.
Rachel Harley, Live Oaks Career Campus, Achievement Center Facilitator
Harley facilitates the Achievement Center, where she supports students who are completing online coursework. She strives to figure out the best way to support each of her students, setting goals for their course completion and guiding professional and employable behaviors.
Raven Jolley, Milford Mulberry Elementary School, Mental Health Interventionist
The Mulberry school community trusts Jolley for the work she has done to create a safe learning environment for all students. Her reputation is for empathy, respect, and individualized support, particularly in the crisis-based work she facilitates as the lead clinician for the Group Centered Therapy Education Program.
Jimmy Hetterick, New Richmond Exempted Village, Schools Maintenance
Hetterick approaches every day with 100% effort, treating the school district’s facilities with the same meticulous care and respect he would give his own home. Jimmy doesn’t just maintain school buildings; he stewards them to ensure that the facilities that students use are safe, clean, and functional.
Rena Ford, West Clermont Middle School, Gifted Interventionist
Ford serves as the Gifted Interventionist at West Clermont Middle School. Her focus remains energizing and inspiring students who need and want a challenge. Ford’s work focuses on differentiating instruction, developing talent, supporting student growth, and enhancing enrichment opportunities to strengthen the broader academic ecosystem.
Kacie Schunk, Williamsburg Elementary, Paraprofessional
Schunk is an exceptional paraprofessional who provides intensive one-on-one support to preserve students' dignity while helping them toward independence. She handles this delicate balance with a gentle demeanor, even in the most challenging moments. Schunk's calm, professional approach allows her to de-escalate tension and facilitate better learning.
Rachel Treinen Photography
Clermont teachers pass along knowledge and inspire students to succeed; their impact goes far beyond the curriculum. This year’s recipients of the Excellence in Education Teacher awards are both mentors and role models. They build character and foster a sense of belonging among youth while going above and beyond their roles.
Ellen Lowery, Batavia High School, Special Education
Lowery sets high expectations for students and truly goes above and beyond to help every student reach their full potential. She joined BHS 5 years ago and willingly gives her time on days off, weekends, and throughout the summer to support school initiatives.
Tami Little, Bethel-Tate Ebon C. Hill Intermediate School, 3rd Grade
Little embodies what it means to dedicate a lifetime to students, families, and community. She builds professional, long-lasting relationships with staff and students, always having something positive to say throughout the day.
Cole Van Dyke, Thomas A. Wildey School, Special Education
Van Dyke provides a dynamic learning environment where students know expectations and encourages them to meet those standards. He consistently holds high standards not only for students but also for the staff who collaborate within their classroom, modeling professionalism and accountability.
Natalie Goodman, Clermont County ESC, New Richmond Schools, Behavioral Specialist
Throughout her teaching career, Goodman has worked closely with students who exhibit some of the most intense behaviors. She shows patience, compassion, and a deep empathy for those she works with. Goodman works with multiple districts to provide behavior expertise both in the classroom and for general education staff.
Elsa Garcia, Clermont Northeastern High School, Spanish
Garcia is not just great at instruction; she also creates a welcoming, energetic teaching environment for all her students. She welcomes each student every day, builds positive, trusting relationships with them, and fosters a classroom culture of excellence. Her classes can often be heard singing and seen moving around the classroom in interactive activities to foster skill growth.
Brian Binion, Felicity-Franklin High School, Science
Binion has made a lasting impact both in and beyond the classroom. In addition to teaching, he has served as a Blended Learning Coach and RESA site coordinator, supporting fellow educators in the effective integration of technology and the implementation of best instructional practices. He is deeply committed to collaboration and to empowering educators to create engaging, student-centered learning environments.
Leta Whitley Goshen, Marr/Cook Elementary School, 1st Grade
Whitley proved herself to be an extraordinary educator. With more than two decades of teaching experience, Leta exemplifies everything the Excellence Award represents: Excellence in instruction, unwavering dedication to students, and a heart for service that transforms the lives of children and families.
Richelle Baker, Grant Career Center, Allied Health and Nursing
Baker excels in teaching by creating a classroom setting that prepares students for the real demands of the healthcare profession. In the Allied Health & Nursing program at Grant Career Center, she combines rigorous instruction with hands-on clinical experiences that help students develop both technical skills and the compassion required in patient care. Baker holds high expectations for her students while providing the support and encouragement they need to succeed.
Geoff Hart, Live Oaks Career Campus, Math
Hart makes every student and colleague he interacts with believe that they are the most important part of his day. Students describe him as funny, making math easier to understand, and always bringing his best. Hart teaches both College Credit Plus-level math to the highest-achieving students and technical math to students who struggle with math with the same passion and excellence, helping every student grow in knowledge and skills.
Kristen Gibson Milford, McCormick Elementary School, 2nd Grade
Gibson has been at the forefront of bringing the Science of Reading to life. She led a 2nd grade team in using flexible grouping for phonics instruction. She and her fellow grade-level teachers make decisions for students, and at times, move students to a different phonics group to improve early literacy skills.
Pat Crowley, New Richmond High School, Science
Crowley defines what it means to be the ultimate professional educator by fostering an environment where every student, regardless of background or ability, feels seen and supported. He has mastered the rare art of balancing rigorous, hands-on instruction with a genuine relatability that bridges the gap between teacher and student. Crowley’s elective courses are consistently the first to fill, a testament to his reputation for making education both engaging and relevant to today’s learners.
Jennifer Hickey, West Clermont Willowville Elementary, 5th Grade Math Science
Hickey demonstrates excellence through an approach that prioritizes active, experiential learning over passive instruction. Through hands-on experiments and interactive engagement strategies, she transforms abstract 5th-grade science concepts into tangible experiences, consistently resulting in high student outcomes. Her commitment to "real-world" science is best demonstrated by taking students to NASA Space Camp and facilitating high-energy projects such as rocket building.
Aaron Stahley, Williamsburg Middle/High School, IT Design and Modeling
Stahley consistently pushes the boundaries of rigor and creativity within his classroom. He intentionally seeks to connect high-level thinking with real-world application, ensuring students understand not only the content he teaches but its relevance beyond the classroom. Stahley places students and their needs at the center of his decision-making, making certain that every instructional choice supports student curiosity.
Rachel Treinen Photography
The Ohio Educational Service Center Association established the Franklin B. Walter All-Scholastic Award Program to promote and recognize outstanding academic achievement. The Association bases its award criteria on GPA, class rank, rigor, extracurricular activities, and community service. Each school district in Clermont County may nominate one student for the award.
Recipients also receive a $250 scholarship for their outstanding accomplishments, courtesy of the Clermont County Educational Service Center Board of Directors.
Data from this year’s award winners demonstrates a dedication to academics:
Average class rank: 3rd in class
Four valedictorian winners
Average GPA: 4.52
On average, each winner participated in athletics, clubs, marching band, and numerous volunteer activities.
Xander Beam, Batavia
Beam participated in four athletic programs in addition to marching band, jazz band, and concert band. He plans on studying Biology at the University of Kentucky with the goal of attending medical school. Beam says he wants his life to have meaning every day and to have a direct, positive impact on as many lives as he can.
Grace Tolliver, Bethel-Tate
Tolliver participated in many clubs and organizations, including track and field, cross country, tennis, the Ohio Student Safety Council, and the Health and Wellness Committee. She wants her community to recognize her as a go-getter, a leader, and a very empathetic person. Her work as vice-president of the National Honor Society, where she has completed over 170 hours of community service, reflects her ambition.
Janelle Donahue, Clermont Northeastern
Donahue participated in Student Council, wrestling, and football cheerleading for 4 years and served in leadership positions in all three. She is currently ranked 1st in her class. Donahue wants to work in animal care and plans to study Biology at Georgetown College.
Hailey Wendling, Felicity-Franklin
Wendling has participated in five athletic programs during her high school career, alongside marching band and concert band. She is an award-winning member of the Future Farmers of America and has over 462 hours of community service on her resume, including blood drives, camp counseling, and work with Felicity Community Missions.
Carson Shures, Goshen
Shures participated in academic team, track and field, and golf, as well as many clubs and volunteer activities. He is a National Merit Finalist, representing the top 0.1% of seniors who took the PSAT. Shures is first in his class and plans to attend Purdue’s Honors Engineering Program for electrical and computer engineering.
Anna Patel, Milford
Patel was a member of the Student Council, the Spanish Club, and the Academic Team, and was active at Christ Hospital, temple, and the library, where she volunteered. She is first in her class. Patel plans on majoring in health sciences at The Ohio State University.
Mallory Bricker, New Richmond
Bricker was an active member of the marching band, pep band, concert band, and swim team for four years. She was also heavily involved in the Buckeye Girls State program. Bricker plans on attending the University of Cincinnati to pursue a career in forensic medicine.
Samuel Chapman, West Clermont
Chapman was a proud member of the West Clermont soccer, track and field, and symphonic band teams in high school. He served as the president and executive vice president of the student council and is also an Eagle Scout. Chapman plans to study Medical Laboratory Science after graduation.
Hope Arno, Williamsburg
Arno has participated in basketball, softball, and soccer in high school, as well as a wide array of clubs, from HOPE Squad to Wildcat Lead. She is first in her class. Arno wants to make an impact on other people’s lives and will attend the University of Findlay to study Exercise Science for Health Professions with a focus on Physical Therapy.
Connect Clermont is proud to support our local teachers, staff, and students who create the bedrock for a better future. As the community inches closer to its Agenda For the Future goals, the youth continues to play a significant role in creating and exploring new opportunities.
Residents can promote educational excellence by funding schools and nonprofits that advance academia.
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