The Katheryn Lorraine Brenner Outstanding Teacher Award for 2025 has been awarded to Cierra Onken, Special Education Teacher at Dorr Elementary!
Kathy Brenner, daughter of former Supt. Robert Brenner and Sandy Brenner, was an outstanding student at Wayland Union who died shortly after her graduation in 1993 due to complications of cystic fibrosis. She was a person who offered a “ray of sunshine” by just knowing her and having the honor to teach her or be in her presence.
The Brenners established an award to honor an outstanding teacher who has committed the extra time and effort to benefit kids in the classroom and/or in extracurricular activities within Wayland Union Schools.
The specific criteria related to the objective include:
1. The teacher must have at least five years of teaching experience in Wayland Union Schools.
2. The teacher could be an elementary, middle, or high school teacher.
3. The teacher must be one who is committed to teaching as evidenced by showing a strong knowledge of curriculum, their field of expertise, and research.
4. The teacher must believe that all students can learn.
Previous winners of this award have included:
- 2003 — Sharon Nelson, Middle School
- 2004 — Kathie Johnson, High School
- 2005 — Susan Boehm, Pine Street Elementary
- 2006 — Jan Laman, High School
- 2007 — Chris Potter, Middle School
- 2008 — Robin Seniura, Dorr Elementary
- 2009 — Judy Mutschler, Steeby Elementary
- 2010 — Suzanne Jurkowski, Pine Street Elementary
- 2011 — Karen Nofsinger, High School
- 2012 — Linda Anderson, High School
- 2013 — Lori Howell, Steeby Elementary
- 2014 — Don Mackey, High School
- 2015 — Aleisa Licari, Dorr Elementary
- 2016 — Laura Foster, Pine Street Elementary
- 2017 — Julie Phillips, Middle School
- 2018 — Chris Rupke, Baker Elementary
- 2019 — Michelle DeYoung-Foster, Middle School
- 2020 and 2021 — Ace Hulbert and Katrina Brown
- 2022 — Bree Hurni, Baker Elementary
- 2023 — Jill Terrell, Pine Street Elementary
- 2024 — Katie Boyce, Pine Street Elementary
- 2025 — Cierra Onken, Dorr Elementary.
