Mercer Island School District honors staff and retirees at annual recognition event

Mercer Island School District held its annual staff recognition event to salute employees of the year, national board certificate renewals and a long list of retiring staff and years-of-service honorees. Speakers emphasized the district’s collaborative culture and the role of educators and support staff in student success.

The program honored certificated and classified employees across school sites. Chris McBurnie was introduced as a learning support services teacher at Island Park and received praise for strategic literacy instruction and steady work with anxious parents; McBurnie responded with brief thanks to colleagues and the district. At Islander Middle School, Marcy was recognized by colleagues for her welcoming approach to families and for lifting staff morale; she accepted the recognition visibly moved.

Principal Nick Wool introduced Michelle Hayes as Mercer Island High School’s teacher of the year and read statements from colleagues and students highlighting Hayes’s work in math lab and support for at-risk learners. As Wool read one student’s account, the student described finally understanding math after support in Hayes’s classes: "For the first time, for as long as I can remember, I understood math," a passage Wool attributed to a student’s nomination. Hayes told the audience she felt "truly honored." Other awardees included classroom and classified staff whose nominations noted leadership in STEM, transportation, custodial work and schoolwide programming.

The program also recognized several retirees. Presenters highlighted Tanya Goodman Sylvester’s full teaching career, which participants described as beginning in 1966 and including her joining the Mercer Island School District in 1985; presenters characterized the total span of her work in education as roughly 60 years. Sally — identified in the program as MIA president during recent contract negotiations — was honored for union leadership and bargaining work; in her remarks Sally recalled beginning her union role amid strike-related organizing and thanked colleagues for their support. John Su, a longtime technology specialist credited with supporting the district’s 1:1 iPad rollout and other technology transitions, was acknowledged while absent as staff wished him well for upcoming surgery.

Aaron Miller announced three teachers renewing National Board certification (Angela Carrie, Lori Dwinsky and Sarah Hart); two recipients were present and acknowledged. The host then called dozens of staff names across 5-, 10-, 15-, 20-, 25- and 30-year service bands; three 30-year honorees were invited to offer brief remarks. Presenters closed with event logistics, a reminder about a Band Blast performance and a note that classes continue through June 18.

Speakers credited the district’s culture, teamwork and long-term staff commitment for sustaining school programs and supporting students. The event combined public recognition (awards and national board renewals), ceremonial retiree tributes and a roll call of years-of-service honorees; no formal motions or votes were taken. Refreshments followed the program.