Sonja Sheck and Daisy Sjostrom have been honored by the West Bonner County School District as its top employees for March.

In order to support and recognize outstanding employees, the district implemented the employee recognition program to honor certified and classified individuals who exemplify its district vision – “strive for greatness,” district officials said in a press release.

A link on the district website allows everyone a chance to submit a nomination. And that’s just what happened, with submissions for the March award coming from teachers, colleagues, and students. We would hope for more community submissions for the April awards. The deadline for submission is the 21st of every month.

In addition to public recognition, area businesses have kindly donated awards to the individuals who are recognized. This month’s sponsors are the Bonner County Daily Bee, and the River Valley Beacon.

Sheck was nominated by two students at Idaho Hill because she “helps kids strive for greatness by encouraging and helping them to become better readers,” according to the nomination. “She does this by helping in small groups.”

In addition to her helping students become better readers, the nomination letter noted she is a fun and responsible playground supervisor.

“She even came into work when she wasn’t feeling well and was still in a good mood,” the nomination letter noted. “She has been loyal for lots of years.”

Sheck started with the district in 1990 at Idaho Hill and has been here ever since ­— starting in the kitchen, then working as an aide, and now as a Title 1 para-professional and playground director.

Sjostrom was nominated by a colleague who believes the WBCSD teacher is an excellent example of striving for greatness.

“Her classroom is full of energy and focused on technology and learning, while maintaining classroom structure,” the colleague noted in the nomination letter. “She is an encourager of students in all aspects of their education and utilizes teamwork concepts as a teaching method.”

Not only do her students enjoy working together and solving problems, Sjostrom advances the school’s STEAM program with energy and excitement.

Mrs. Sjostrom also has a Brennan Bucks money system for her class where students earn and use their bucks for behavior, homework, etc. At the end of the month, students are able to purchase items from her “store” with their earned bucks.

“She endeavors to create deep understandings of multiple concepts in all she teaches, and consistently goes above and beyond for her students and her school,” the nomination letter noted.