On Friday, Feb. 23, 2024, LWPTSA Council was pleased to host our annual Founders’ Day Luncheon at Sahalee Country Club in Sammamish, Wash. Nearly 200 guests were in attendance as we honored the legacy of our PTA founders and enjoyed esteemed speakers, including LWSD Superintendent Dr. Jon Holmen and our keynote speaker, 16-year-old poet and student Marcus Patton.
Marcus delivered a moving poem entitled “Hopeful,” and a powerful speech, “Fighting the Good Fight,” about the importance of recruiting and retaining educators who look like and represent our diverse student body—receiving a standing ovation.
We were also treated to live performances and screenings of original works by four talented Reflections student artists.
The celebration culminated in our awards presentation, honoring our five award recipients. Council extends our deepest gratitude to all of our luncheon guests, and we congratulate our 2024 award winners, whom you can read about below.
Terri Gatts Dayton — Community Service Award
Our 2024 Community Service Award recipient is described by PTA associates and colleagues as a justice warrior, a wise mentor and a passionate community volunteer.
Members of the Juanita learning community especially know Terri Gatts Dayton as a long-time PTSA volunteer and DEI advocate who has served in numerous roles and committees with equity and innovative solutions always in mind.
Within the district and with the Kirkland Nourishing Network, Terri consistently supports school supply drives, holiday drives and school break food voucher drives. Most recently, she quietly forged a connection that led to a generous donation to the district’s holiday toy drive.
Before Terri began working as LWSD’s multicultural language liaison, she served in this capacity on a volunteer basis. Fellow volunteers describe how Terri works tirelessly and humbly behind the scenes to advocate for low-income students, multi-language learners and students of color.
One of Terri’s colleagues says that a phrase she always hears Terri say is, “How can I help?”
“I am so grateful to work with Terri,” says a co-worker. “She is a co-conspirator who is not afraid to take a stand for our most marginalized students and families.”
Aspen Richter — Outstanding Advocate Award
A fellow PTA volunteer describes our 2024 Outstanding Advocate Award recipient as “passionate about building a better community for students, both now and in the future.” Those who know and have worked alongside Aspen Richter echo this impression over and over.
As a local school volunteer, a member of the district Facility Advisory Committee, a current and former PTA Sustainability Chair at Alcott Elementary and Evergreen Middle School, the current Advocacy VP for Evergreen, and as LWPTSA Council’s Sustainability Committee Chair, Aspen exemplifies the spirit of advocacy that is central to PTA’s mission.
This year at Evergreen alone, Aspen’s leadership has led to successful advocacy for improved classroom air quality, and safer conditions for the outdoor athletic field and for pedestrians around campus.
Aspen’s “student-centered approach” is described by a school administrator not only as “kind and supportive, but also data-driven, ensuring that every decision made is backed by solid evidence and is in the best interest of the students.”
Aspen invites community members to seize opportunities in not only the “capital A” advocacy actions, but also in the everyday actions—district surveys, local committees, contacting district leadership and legislators—that collectively can make a significant impact. Aspen shows us that advocacy is accessible, and that we can apply things we are already doing, or capable of doing, toward creating positive change.
Joseph “Joey” Neibauer — Outstanding Educator Award
Our 2024 Outstanding Educator Award honoree received such enthusiastic nominations that we envy the fifth graders in his class at Wilder Elementary.
While Mr. Joseph “Joey” Neibauer’s commitment to teaching is abundantly clear—as shown in the before- and after-school support he generously offers his students—it’s his encouraging and positive attitude that makes an even more lasting impression on those who are fortunate to know him in his role as an educator.
A parent describes Mr. Neibauer as the most memorable educator their children will have. As stated in one of his nominations: “Profoundly understanding preteen psychology, [Mr. Neibauer] transcends the conventional role of a teacher, offering both academic and emotional support to his students.”
“In a short time, he has made a HUGE impact on my child’s social-emotional learning,” says a parent. “I wish we could have him every year.”
Wilder PTSA volunteers note that Mr. Neibauer is an active contributor to one of the PTSA’s most sought-after math enrichment programs, offering his time outside the classroom to help students succeed.
Elysia Heller – Golden Acorn Award
Our 2024 Golden Acorn recipient is described by fellow PTA volunteers as “not only a dedicated servant to her position, but a beloved and trusted advisor to all [PTSA] roles,” and “a resource, inspiration and mentor.”
Elysia Heller has given more than a decade of service to the Peter Kirk PTSA in numerous board positions and volunteer roles. Even in her final year at the school, having earned a much-deserved break from the executive board, Elysia continues to spend hours supporting new officers and updating documentation so that future PTSA leaders can continue benefiting from the groundwork she has tirelessly helped to lay.
A PTA associate says it’s no accident that during Elysia’s time on Peter Kirk PTSA’s board, the PTSA has been recognized as WSPTA’s Outstanding PTA of the Year (2022) and as a National PTA School of Excellence (multiple years). “This is a result of her hard work and leadership over time to help build an amazing community and PTSA.”
Elysia’s commitment to bringing opportunities to the greater community has been shown in her efforts to bring programming such as Screenagers and renowned speaker Erin Jones—with grants from Lake Washington Schools Foundation—to district-wide audiences.
A PTA colleague sums up Elysia’s legacy with these words: “Many people come and go, but Elysia has been a beacon of light leading the PTA through good times and bad, always with compassion, dedication and heart.”
Judy Kaethler — Outstanding Service Award
It has been four years since our council presented an Outstanding Service Award. This award is the highest honor given to an individual by the WSPTA, in recognition of long-term, broad-based service demonstrating PTA’s core values.
Judy Kaethler is the definition of this award, having served our schools and PTAs for 12+ years across five local PTAs—Dickinson, Ella Baker, Evergreen, Timberline and Redmond High—plus LWPTSA Council. She currently sits on three boards, and has filled nearly every existing board position during her years of service.
Judy played a pivotal role in establishing two brand new PTAs during this time, undaunted by the myriad foundational tasks that many volunteers regard as overwhelming.
PTA colleagues call Judy a “tremendous advocate” for children— including those most in need of someone on their team—and a great mentor for adults who are fortunate to know her. She has been a driving force behind inspiring the sharing of financial resources across PTAs, which led to the implementation of our council’s Financial Equity Fund program, and she has advocated for her local PTAs to support Operation School Bell.
Beyond her countless PTA hours, Judy has also served on district committees, volunteers her time with numerous community needs, and has even started her own nonprofit.
LWPTSA Council considers it a privilege to present Judy Kaethler with our 2024 Outstanding Service Award. We are deeply inspired by her unwavering dedication to the children in our community.