Our 2024 Recognition of Outstanding Volunteers in the Cedar Rapids Community Schools. This profile information is provided by the nominating school. Congratulations to these volunteers and to all volunteers across CRCSD.
Jayne Kilgallon, Cedar River Academy at Taylor Elementary
Jayne is an amazing volunteer at Cedar River Academy. She is no stranger to the Cedar River Academy family, having worked in our school’s cafeteria for many years. Jayne spends a couple of days a week coming back to help in our lunchroom. When she is done there, she spends the rest of the school day working with students who need just a little extra help with reading. If that is not enough, she then helps with KOC after school. The students and staff really enjoy the time that Jayne spends with them. Her time and dedication are truly appreciated. Thank you, Jayne, for all you do!
Madonna Greene, Erskine Elementary
Madonna has been a kindergarten volunteer at Erskine for several years! She is fondly referred to as “Mrs. Greene, the reading queen”, as she shares her lifelong love of reading with students each week. Mrs. Greene, a former educator, has introduced students to poems, stories, and interesting facts that extend beyond the curriculum content that is taught each day. Then Mrs. Greene gets “down to business”, working with individual students, giving them additional practice on skills. Using chalkboards, she has helped many kindergartners learn to write their first and last names. She has many little gimmicks that help students learn letter names and match them to their sounds. But most of all, Mrs. Greene loves to listen to students read! She makes a difference each week in our classroom, celebrating all our accomplishments, big and small!
Melissa Zeien, Grant Elementary
Melissa has been an active member of the Grant community for the 3 years her son has been at Grant. She is the Secretary of our PTA and always part of supporting our Grant staff, students, and community. Melissa not only brings ideas to the team, but she also brings the ideas to life, like when she took the lead on making a Grant trunk or treat vehicle.
Erin Hill, Harrison Elementary
Erin has been an extraordinary volunteer and addition to Harrison! She has served as PTA vice president and took on the big role of PTA President this school year. She has put lots of hours, hard work and sweat in – from volunteering, organizing PTA items in the basement, and coming in to volunteer in the classrooms. She often pops around the hallways of Harrison with a “goody basket” for the classrooms she volunteers in. All of our students absolutely adore Ms. Erin, she makes everyone smile with her positivity she brings into the building each time she visits.
Denise Harriman, Hiawatha Elementary
Denise Harriman is an invaluable part of the Hiawatha community, and we are thrilled to recognize her as our Volunteer of the Year. Each week, she dedicates her time to working with our first graders on reading, fostering a love for literacy, and building their confidence as young readers. She also supports our fourth graders by engaging them in math games that make learning both fun and meaningful. Her patience, encouragement, and unwavering commitment help our students grow academically while also creating positive connections within our school. Denise’s generosity and passion for education make a lasting impact, and we are incredibly grateful for all she does for Hiawatha Elementary!
Natalie Steggall, Hoover Elementary
Due to Natalie’s incredible dedication and exceptional leadership as the Hoover Parent Advisor Committee president. Since taking on the role, Natalie has consistently gone above and beyond in fostering a collaborative environment among parents, teachers, and students. Her ability to listen and respond to the community’s needs has led to numerous initiatives that have significantly enhanced our school environment. She has organized impactful events and created a sense of unity and support among parents, making them feel valued and involved in their children’s education. Natalie’s vision for parental involvement is remarkable. She has implemented various programs aimed at engaging parents, ensuring they have a platform to share their ideas and concerns. Under her leadership, the Parent Advisor Team has grown in membership and influence, providing a much-needed voice in the decision-making processes of our school. Her ability to motivate others and cultivate a spirit of volunteerism has inspired many to contribute more actively to our school community. In recognition of her unwavering commitment, leadership, and the positive impact she has made, we have selected her as our Outstanding Building Volunteer.
Yara Conway, Johnson STEAM Academy
We are pleased to recognize Yara Conway as our Outstanding Building Volunteer in recognition of her exceptional dedication and commitment to our school community. Yara is a standout member of our JSA Family Partnership Team (FPT) and plays an instrumental role in the success of many school events and initiatives. Whether assisting with field trips or supporting school functions, Yara consistently goes above and beyond. In addition to her FPT involvement, Yara generously donates her time each week to reading with 3rd-grade students. Her kind, patient, and encouraging nature fosters a love for reading and builds lasting connections with the students she works with. Her selflessness and consistent contributions to both academic and extracurricular activities make her an invaluable part of our school community. JSA is incredibly fortunate to have Yara as part of our school family.
Jessie Miller-Smith, Kenwood Leadership Academy
At Kenwood Leadership Academy, we are incredibly fortunate to have Jessie Miller-Smith as part of our volunteer community. Her exceptional creativity and dedication have truly enriched the lives of our students. Jessie doesn’t just think outside the box; she redefines it! Her enthusiasm for big projects shines through in initiatives like “Paint the Plow” and our vibrant new cafeteria mural, both of which reflect her commitment to enhancing our school environment. Jessie’s contributions extend far beyond simple acts of service; they are a testament to her genuine passion for nurturing young minds and fostering a love for art and education. She believes in the power of creativity to inspire students, encouraging them to express themselves and explore their talents. A HUGE thank you to Jessie Miller-Smith for everything you do! Your dedication reminds us all of the difference one person can make in a community, and we are grateful to have you at KLA!
Alexa Kirby, Madison Elementary
Alexa is new to Madison this year, with her Kindergarten daughter, Brooklyn. She has become one of our most valuable volunteers in a short amount of time. Not only has she become involved with the Madison PTA, but she has also become part of the village that teaches our Kindergarteners. Twice a week, you will see Alexa working with Kindergarteners on counting, decoding, practicing “tricky words”, and now reading books. Her enthusiasm for the time spent with our Kinders is heartwarming and infectious. She loves to come to school, and the kids love to work with her. The best part of her volunteer time is how she catches up with each student before they get to work. She has made positive connections with every single Kindergartener, and they know that she cares about each of them. We are so grateful for the time that Alexa has dedicated to our Madison community. Her contributions do not go unnoticed. Thank you, Alexa!
Lori Larson, Maple Grove Elementary
Lori has been volunteering for Cynthia Haring for several years. Their friendship began when Cynthia had the privilege of teaching her sons. Once they were grown, Lori began volunteering in her classroom. With her calm demeanor, patience, and kindness, she works well with small groups and individuals. Lori helps students get caught up with unfinished work, editing their writing with them, providing extra reading and math support, and showering the children with the love and care they need. Cynthia is honored to have Lori in her classroom and as her friend. Congratulations, Lori!
Lorraine McGuigan, Nixon Elementary
Lorraine has been volunteering at Nixon for 2 and 1/2 years as a reading buddy. She comes in twice a week for a total of 5 hours each week. She reads with 2nd, 4th, and 5th graders working on their fluency. Lorraine not only helps our students, she also takes charge of the fluency and helps other volunteers as they help with students’ reading. Lorraine has built great relationships with students, is very encouraging, and gives them some much-needed attention, and she is always good for a treat or two! All the students want to read with Volunteer Lorraine! She has not only helped with reading to our students, she has also helped at our Trick or Treat and Winter Wonderland Nights and has also invited other friends to volunteer at Nixon. Thank you, Lorraine, for volunteering your time to work with our students at Nixon – we appreciate all you do for our school!
Dave Castelluccio, Pierce Elementary
Dave understands and cares about public schools as his wife, children, and many friends have been a part of CRCSD. When he “retired”, he wanted a way to help public schools. I’m so grateful he picked Pierce. Dave has the highest number of hours logged, but that’s not the reason Dave was nominated. Dave’s energy ripples out to everyone he comes in contact with– his humor, his great big smile, and his excitement. He helps with all of our lunch shifts several times a week. If you have been in a school cafeteria, you know this is a busy, loud time with endless stories and questions and lots of ketchup packets and milk cartons to open. He listens to and jokes around with students, passes out water, replenishes supplies, helps clean up messes, or whatever is asked of him. He puts a smile on everyone’s face- students, employees, and our other volunteers. One more thing worth mentioning is that Dave is a fierce advocate for public education. He keeps us abreast of school-related issues occurring at the state level, writes letters, and attends forums. We are grateful for Dave and congratulate him on being Pierce’s Outstanding Building Volunteer.
Marcia Miller, Trailside Elementary School
Marcia has been a volunteer in Mrs. O’Connell’s first-grade classroom since the beginning of November. Mrs. O’Connell having known Marcia, a retired teacher from McKinley Middle School, as a friend, asked her if she would be interested in volunteering, working on sight words, reading text, and just providing them another person to talk to. Marcia eagerly said yes, and even more eagerly said she was willing to come twice a week to work with them. “Miss Marcia”, as the first graders call her, has stolen their hearts, and they clamor to work with her. Marcia plays word games, reads, and talks to them about what they like, and every child working with her feels loved. After a couple of weeks of volunteering, there was a need in our school to help our art teacher make our halls beautiful with student artwork. Marcia very willingly offered to help, and also loves sharing her creative talents with our art teacher, Ms. Vazquez. Marcia is here working with our kids, rain or shine! She always comes with a smile on her face, and sometimes delivers baked goods to the teachers. We are lucky to have such an amazing volunteer!
Megan Heims, Truman Early Learning Center
Megan has been a strong contributor to the success of Truman Early Learning. This year, she initiated our PTO group, which had an outstanding meeting attendance of over 25.
She helped to organize our inaugural Play-A-Thon and raised enough money to support new books, playground equipment, and many other teacher items for Truman. She has a strong connection to other schools in the district, which allowed us partnerships with area middle and high schoolers to begin long-lasting collaborations among our district schools. Through her volunteer efforts, she has allowed us to build positive family relationships and community connections to continue as our students progress through CRCSD.
Brenda Thomsen, Van Buren Elementary
Although Brenda’s grandchildren are long gone from Van Buren, she continues to lend a hand, contributing to the success of many of our programs. She can be found at every picture day, each of our vision, hearing and dental screenings, as well as many of our field trips. She has been instrumental in preparing and bagging fresh fruits and vegetables for our students to enjoy several days a week, and she often works on clerical projects and helps to organize the Family Resource Center. Our favorite day of the month is popcorn Friday, and guess who is there, popping kernels each time? She often identifies a tangible need in our school and shows up the next day bearing gifts; anything from a new broom and dust pan to a can of WD-40!
Brenda is definitely our jack-of-all-trades, and we can’t imagine Van Buren without her! Thank you, Brenda!
Sandra Swarner, Viola Gibson Elementary
Sandra has been an invaluable coordinator of volunteers at Viola Gibson this year. She consistently steps up to fill in gaps or support volunteer needs, even when no one else is available. Each week, Sandra dedicates her time to supporting both the school and the volunteer efforts, whether it’s assisting teachers, meeting classroom needs, or facilitating volunteer activities. She also plays a vital role in organizing and planning school events.
Viola Gibson is incredibly fortunate to have Sandra, whose positive energy and enthusiasm make a lasting impact on everyone around her. Whether it’s a new idea from staff, parents, or students, Sandra is always willing to find a way to make it happen. Her unwavering commitment and dedication to our school community are truly appreciated.
Ashley C, West Willow Elementary
Ashley has been an outstanding volunteer for West Willow the past couple of years. Anytime we need a short notice volunteer, she is always willing to help us out. Ashley volunteers several ways in our building, such as helping on picture day, reading with kids, and helping with popping popcorn. This year, she is still helping when she can and just became a para in one of our Kindergarten classrooms. Thank you, Ashley, for your willingness to always help however our building needs. We appreciate you.
Kelly Lynott, Wright Elementary
Kelly Lynott is a cheerful, caring volunteer at Wright. Each Monday morning, she arrives at school wearing a smile as she works individually with students in not just her grandson’s class but several other classes as well. The students enjoy spending time with her! Kelly has a Spanish degree, and she uses her knowledge to help Spanish-speaking students develop their language and reading skills. In addition, Kelly also assists on Tuesday afternoons with our enrichment art class. Thank you, Kelly, we are grateful for your hard work and dedication to improving the lives of our students!
Christine Conover, Franklin Middle School
Franklin Middle School is excited to nominate Christine Conover as our Outstanding Building Volunteer. Christine has been a part of our Franklin family for the past 4 and a half years. During that time, Christine has been an integral part of our PTA. She has served on the PTA board during her time here at Franklin, most recently as president. She has been actively involved in providing meals to staff during conferences, volunteering in the concession stand during sporting events, providing treats/recognition to staff throughout the year, and supporting school functions in any way she can. Christine’s greatest legacy here at Franklin has to be our Franklin Bolt Pantry. Christine worked through the PTA and HACAP to set up a food pantry for our Franklin students. She attends required meetings for HACAP, volunteers on Fridays for students to come to the pantry, and works tirelessly to keep the shelves stocked for our students. Christine is a perfect example of someone with a “servant’s heart”. She has been an amazing ally to both Franklin staff and students! Thank you, Christine, for all you do for us here at Franklin!
Teri Van Dorston, Harding Middle School
Teri has been invaluable this school year after the loss of the middle school media secretary position last year. Upon hearing that the library could use some extra hands, she jumped in and started volunteering to reshelve books. After getting a good system started, she then “trained” an additional volunteer to continue the work! 600-700 books are checked out by Harding students every week, which means that a similar number of books are returned every week and must be put back on the shelves. This takes a lot of time, and having volunteers to help with this task frees up librarian time for professional responsibilities and working directly with students and teachers. Teri has also been an active member of our Charger’s Parent Brigade (PTO). The time that Teri has given to Harding has helped enrich our students’ experiences and has supported our staff to do the same.
Ben & Amy Davis, McKinley STEAM Academy
McKinley is blessed to be surrounded by many community members and parents willing to give of their time, money, resources, and passions. Among the crème of the crop are Mr. and Mrs. Davis. Tirelessly, Ben and Amy work closely with students and directing staff in the music department to support plays, competitions, tours, and community performances. They are often the first to arrive at music events and the first to leave. Amy is the lead parent liaison for Classic Edition Show Choir. She coordinates parent volunteers, all fundraising efforts for the group, and manages parent communication. She is also the right hand to the directing staff, keeping us on time and consistent with communication and handling the business of the ensemble. They also provide daily transportation to students needing a ride home and to events. For musicals, Ben can be found running sound and developing are audio soundscape. Ben can also be found transporting all instruments and materials for shows. Amy has also painted sets and developed ensemble merchandise for the past 5 years. It is safe to say that our vocal music and theatre programs would not be as successful without the work and hours they provide.
Mary Lou McCartan, Roosevelt Creative Corridor Business Academy
Mary Lou McCartan has been a great volunteer here at Roosevelt. She has picked up our HACAP orders and stocked them on the shelves in our food pantry weekly. This helps us out tremendously by not having to worry about staffing needs if a staff member needed to do this. We thank her for all her help in making sure our students are provided with the food they nee
Melanie Koolbeck, Taft Middle School
Melanie Koolbeck was a long-time Taft employee who retired from CRCSD in 2024. During her career, she was the heart and soul of Taft. Very little occurred at Taft without her involvement and support. She was committed to Taft, and that commitment did not end when she retired. This year, Melanie has volunteered to cover for our secretaries when we are short-staffed. It has been amazing to have her support on those days. She is able to step in and keep our office running at high efficiency. She has also volunteered in the Taft Library and served as a poll worker for Taft’s Mock Presidential Election. The best part of having Melanie back in the building is witnessing her interactions with staff and students. She cares deeply about the people who work and learn here. She has the ability to form positive relationships with some of Taft’s most complicated students. It is fun to hear kids say, “Mrs. Koolbeck is here today!” then make the effort to find her to say hi and give a smile. Melanie is one-in-a-million and forever a Tiger!
Ben Ihde, Wilson Middle School
“When my dad (Ben Ihde) came to watch the December band concert, he noticed that I didn’t have enough stands for the full 6th grade band, that many stands were broken, and that we didn’t have a working stand cart. Since then, he’s been searching Craigslist/Facebook marketplace for Manhasset brand stands and stand racks. He uses old parts to refurbish them in his garage, and then paints “Wilson MS” with blue paint, plus the name of a famous composer or musician. He has collected all of mine and Lisa’s broken stands and repaired those as well. He has made a number of trips to Cedar Rapids from Des Moines just to exchange the next batch of stands for a few more of my broken ones. His goal is to make sure both Lisa and I have a full set of working, painted stands.” Rachel Ihde
Jessica Gerst, City View High School
Jess Gerst has been vital to our school community this year. She started with us as a substitute counselor and stepped in with genuine warmth and made quick connections with our students. She transitioned into a volunteer role, always there with a smile, a snack, or simply a listening ear when our students needed support. Jess’s continued commitment shows that real care makes a lasting difference. Her ability to connect with our students and offer a trusted presence has not only enriched their educational journey, but also reminds us how vital community is in shaping young lives. We’re incredibly lucky to have her in our corner.
Val Meier, Jefferson High School
Val has been vital to the continued successful operation of the Jefferson Athletic Booster Club. She was the Volunteer Coordinator from 2019-2024, working with coaches and parents to make sure concession stands were staffed. This is a very daunting task. She also worked to find volunteers to be openers and closers for all events and to train new volunteers on a continual basis. Val coordinated with the AD on the concession stand schedule and other logistics. During the Covid pandemic, Val’s work was crucial in keeping the concession stands open. Because of restrictions on the number of people allowed in close spaces, Val took almost all of the work herself. She worked every event. Val’s dedication to giving endless hours to the Booster Club has benefited countless numbers of Jefferson student athletes.
Matt Powers, Kennedy High School
Matt Powers has headed up our show choir tech crew for the past two years and worked it for a third. He’s an EMT, so we’ve also used him a lot for medical situations over the years. He has put in endless hours and helped create an amazing experience for our students!
Dorothy De Souza Guedes, Metro High School
Dorthy De Souza Guedes has become an invaluable volunteer and community collaborator with students at Metro High School, and specifically within the Metro STEAM Academy. Dorothy has brought her insight and expertise in journalism to our writing projects in the STEAM Academy and has enhanced our learning environment. More than a volunteer, Dorothy has become a Mentor to students and an encouragement to staff. We are so grateful to have her in our building, and are so excited to celebrate her recognition as an Outstanding Volunteer.
Dorea Burkamper, Washington High School
Dorea has been a vital member of the Washington Athletic Club, playing an instrumental role in supporting our athletic programs. She served as the Hall of Fame Committee Chair, where she organized food and decorations for the reception. Her dedication extended to the Men’s Tennis Team, where she served as the lead parent for many years. In this role, she coordinated team uniforms, arranged meals for meets—both home and away—and organized fun team events that fostered camaraderie among players. Dorea also plays a crucial role in Warrior Connect, Washington’s top parent organization. Her biggest focus was leading the prom committee, where she worked tirelessly to plan and execute an incredible post-prom event for our students. Her efforts ensured a safe, fun, and memorable night for all attendees. In addition, Dorea has been vital to recognizing the hard work of Washington’s staff through appreciation events that honor the staff’s dedication to the Washington community. Washington High School is incredibly grateful for Dorea’s unwavering dedication, hard work, and passion for supporting our school community. Her contributions have made a significant and lasting impact, and we are honored to recognize her as our Outstanding Building Volunteer. Congratulations, Dorea!
Yvonne Peterson, Home School Assistance Program
Yvonne has been an incredible supporter of our Lego League team and our entire homeschool program! She was at every practice this season, always showing up with a smile and treats. She helped the students stay focused, and made sure everyone had fun while still learning. The students appreciated “her knowledge of the competition, her good snacks, and how thoughtful she is.” A couple of years ago, she also helped secure extra funding for the program, giving our team more opportunities and resources to grow. Yvonne’s support goes beyond Lego League—she’s always offering to help in other areas of our homeschool community and truly cares about each and every one of our students. We are incredibly grateful for her time, effort, and kindness!
Jennifer Trembath, Grant Wood Elementary- Outstanding District Volunteer/Governor’s Volunteer Award Honoree
The positive impact that Jennifer has had on our students and the Grant Wood community is immeasurable! One of Jennifer’s most proud accomplishments is partnering with the Eastern Iowa Arts Academy in 2023 to start an afterschool art program for 3rd-5th graders called “Art Explorers”. This very popular enrichment is full of art-loving students. Jennifer is also leading a committee to hold the first-ever “Grant Wood Griffin Talent Show,” which will provide all students with the opportunity to showcase their talents. Mrs. Smith, our music teacher, stated, “Jennifer has created another platform for our students to shine by spotlighting their individual talents and gifts that make them unique.” Jennifer is always finding creative ways to raise money so PTA can continue to support the school at a high level. These include the first-ever “Back to School Garage Sale” and selling squares on the school track for the “Chalk The Walk” fundraiser. When asked why she volunteers for our school, Jennifer replied, “Volunteering at Grant Wood provides me with an opportunity to connect with both students and staff at a deeper level, while gaining insight into how I, the PTA, and the community can effectively contribute to the school’s success!”