April is Volunteer Appreciation Month, and we’re #AISDProud to recognize the Austin ISD 2022-23 Volunteers of the Year. We know public schools could not work without the people from the community who step up to do what’s needed, and this is our chance to salute the best of an indispensable bunch.   

Every year, each campus picks one or two Volunteers of the Year, Mentors of the Year, Parent Ambassadors and several Partners of the Year, including Austin Partners in Education Champions, who have given exceptional support to support their schools.

Volunteers of the Year

Whether tutoring a group of students, helping out in the cafeteria, decorating a bulletin board or serving as a field trip chaperone, all of our volunteers make a big difference for our students.

Please join us in celebrating the following volunteers who were selected by their school as Volunteers of the Year.

• Allison Elementary: Greta Irvin, Elia Yanez
• Anderson High School: Karen DeRouen, Lauren Ward
• Andrews Elementary: Carmen Samantha Nierenberg, Joshua Stanton Strong
• Baldwin Elementary: Robin Lackey, Kristen Ragsdale
• Baranoff Elementary: Rita Botto, Jennifer Frels
• Becker Elementary: Krystal Nakonezcny, Allison Vaughn
• Bernice Hart Elementary: Mariel Galindo-Morales
• Bertha Sadler Means Young Women’s Leadership Academy:  Anita Dabney, Yvonne Massey Davis 
• Blackshear Elementary: Lennie King, Kat Petree 
• Blanton Elementary: Esther Meier 
• Bowie High School: Vanessa Kimball, Staci Fair
• Brentwood Elementary: Kanako Lickteig
• Burnet Middle School: Blanca Espinoza, Rosa Patino
• Campbell Elementary: Kate Mills
• Clayton Elementary: Rebecca Henry
• Crockett Early College High: Destin Bell
• Cook Elementary: Lilia Delgado, Julie Vicent
• Covington Middle School: Anne Peticolas, Kathleen Hopke
• Cowan Elementary: Katie Fike
• Cunningham Elementary: Linda Cordova-Villanueva, Juanita Pichler
• Dawson Elementary: Allison Walker, Tara Radjef
• Dobie Middle: Marcela Garcia, Sayra Castro
• Doss Elementary: Shannon Knisely, Nishi Goel
• Govalle Elementary: Jessica Bacak, Jessica Wilson
• Graham Elementary: Carlynann McCoy, Anthony Taylor
• Gorzycki Middle: Melissa Tanis
• Gus Garcia Young Men’s Leadership Academy: Dr. David Brown, Anita Savage
• Harris Elementary: Judi Rockman
• Highland Park Elementary: Cate Noellert, Gabe Hensley
• Houston Elementary: Juanita Balderas, Teresa Solis
• Kealing Middle: Colleen Tabolt, Anne Goshorn
• Kocurek Elementary: Tikoa and Derek Legendre
• Langford Elementary: Flor Acevedo Macias
• Maplewood Elementary: Anne Boon, Thomas Holton
• Northeast ECHS: Martha Mendoza, Marcela Garcia
• McBee Elementary: Vicki Roberts, Leah Phelps
• Murchison Middle: Jordan Freytag
• Navarro Early College High: Monica Velez
• Northeast Early College High: Martha Mendoza, Marcela Garcia
• Odom Elementary: Marlyn Lopez Lazo, Azahel and Claudia Zamora
• Padron Elementary: Ana Carbajal
• Palm Elementary: Carolina Paz, Ashley Shephard
• Patton Elementary: Sally Hunt, Tanya D'Souza
• Perez Elementary: Esther Gutierrez, Larry Bugh
• Pillow Elementary: Diana Robinson
• Ridgetop Elementary: Rebecca Nunan, Summer Seibert
• Summitt Elementary: Rachel Hubka, Becca Beck 
• Uphaus Early Childhood Center: Stephanie A. Paniagua, Wendy Beatriz Espinoza De Araya
• Winn Montessori: Sarah Daily, Brenda Madrid Sabillion 
• Wooten Elementary: Leticia Hernandez, Jeff Bordinhao

Mentors of the Year

Mentors serve as positive role models, and we are thankful to them for their devotion and commitment to making a difference. Mentors provide guidance and support to students across AISD campuses, ranging from academic support and career guidance to helping resolve issues that impede success. 

Please join us in celebrating the following mentors who were selected by their school as Mentors of the Year for their outstanding dedication to their mentees.

• Akins Early College High: Jessica Rest
• Allison Elementary: Donna White
• Anderson High School: Jennifer Kost, Elijah Thompson
• Andrews Elementary: Carlie Fraser, Nora Comstock
• Bernice Hart Elementary: Sylvia Rainey
• Bertha Sadler Means Young Women’s Leadership Academy: Dorcas Seals
• Blackshear Elementary: Jordan Sanders, Tyneshia Quarterman 
• Burnet Middle School: Carmen Montgomery, Keivan Khaleghi
• Cook Elementary: Jerry Smith, Emma Virjan
• Crockett Early College High: Doug Allen
• Covington Middle School: Kathleen Hopke, Eileen Hoedebeck    
• Cunningham Elementary: Diana Castro, Marissa Ponder
• Doss Elementary: Susan Bufkin, Brianna Madruga
• Gorzycki Middle: Michelle Roddewig
• Govalle Elementary: Jonathan Valencia
• Graham Elementary: Pastor Garlord
• Gus Garcia Young Men’s Leadership Academy: Tosan Eroway, Darrell Merriweather
• Houston Elementary: Donna Brannon, Susan Levett
• Kealing Middle School: Nat Bradford, Lila Valencia
• Kocurek Elementary: Kay Henry
• Maplewood Elementary: Brooke Smith, Nishi Rane
• McBee Elementary: Shirley Tucker
• Murchison Middle School: Po-Yi Chen, Gabriella Chronis
• O’Henry Middle School: Derrick Townsend
• Padron Elementary: Kirstin Leal
• Perez Elementary: Amara Nitibhon, Life Anew Restorative Justice
• Russell Lee Elementary: Adrian A. Nguyen
• Summitt Elementary: Tyler Lavan, Billy Metzger
• Travis ECHS: Eliseo Reyna, Erick Posadas
• Widen Elementary: Rachel Winfrey

Parent Ambassadors

Parent Ambassadors model good parental involvement by establishing links between home and school, making strong connections with school staff, participating in school decisions and engaging in volunteer leadership.
 
Please join us in celebrating the following parents who were selected by their school as Parent Ambassadors. 

• Allison Elementary: Angela Padilla, Elizabeth Torres
• Anderson High School: Tiffany Galligan, Valerie Tyler
• Andrews Elementary: Mayra Mendoza, Maria Dolores Tello
• Baranoff Elementary: Lisa Wittrock
• Becker Elementary: Sameera Yerraballi, Elissa Marek
• Bernice Hart Elementary: Cathy Brown
• Bertha Sadler Means Young Women’s Leadership Academy: Kelsey Campbell, Jesse Klatt 
• Bertha Sadler Means YMLA: Kelsey Campbell, Jesse Klatt 
• Blackshear Elementary: Bree Miller, Iris Obemeyer
• Burnet Middle School: Lori McMorris, Rosa Patino
• Cook Elementary: Arely Perez, Cheyla DeArmas
• Covington Middle School: Carrie King, Janessa Tomberlin
• Cowan Elementary: Amanda Stocks
• Cunningham Elementary: Jessica Pareti, Sarah Swanter
• Dawson Elementary: Allison Walker, Cally Murray
• Doss Elementary: Todd Waldman, Marquette Reddam
• Gorzycki Middle: Staci Fair
• Govalle Elementary: Douglas Boyer
• Graham Elementary: Carlyann McCoy
• Gus Garcia Young Men’s Leadership Academy: Andrea Kaczmarek, Telisa Benjamin
• Harris Elementary: Evelyn Johnson
• Highland Park Elementary: Katie Schaeffer, Rajesh Nerlikar
• Houston Elementary: Judith Vital, Elvia Salas
• Kealing Middle School: Morgan Ilika, Shannan Reimer
• Kocurek Elementary: Florence Ebert, Sonya Ragland
• Langford Elementary: Oscar Gutierrez Suarez
• Maplewood Elementary: Amber Welsh, Ginger Enger
• McBee Elementary: Katya Mancinas, Grace Roque
• Navarro Early College High: Vanessa Gomez
• Northeast Early College High: Sayra Castro Galvan
• Odom Elementary: Marlyn Lopez Lazo
• Padron Elementary: Elsa Alvarez
• Palm Elementary: Edna Alvarez
• Pecan Springs Elementary: Nidia Baez, Sandy Garcia
• Perez Elementary: Valerie Turullols, Melissa Ibarra
• Pillow Elementary: Lissette Trevino Leos
• Ridgetop Elementary: Richard Jervis, Kelsey Hamman
• Summitt Elementary: Sarah Romo de Vivar-Whalen, Timmie Bui
• Travis Early College High: Ryan Kagan
• Winn Montessori: Katie O'Neil, Becca Longino
• Wooten Elementary: Mariela Vaca, Natalie Farci

Business & Community Partners

Businesses, service organizations, educational institutions and governmental agencies all serve a huge role as partners in various capacities. These partners provide volunteers, donations, school improvement support and more. 

Please join us in celebrating the following partners who were selected as Partners of the Year for their outstanding support of our schools. 

• Allison Elementary

  • Mi/My Montopolis
  • Brighter Bites
  • Blessings in a Backpack
  • Leroy Nellis
     

• Anderson High

  • Blue Dragon,
  • Albert Allen Realtor
  • Watkins Insurance
  • NWACA
  • Coach Mo's Fitness
     

• Bernice Hart Elementary

  • Brighter Bites
     

• Bertha Sadler Means Young Women’s Leadership Academy:

  • The Links
  • Spurs Sports & Entertainment
  • Marie Welsch
  • Windsor Park Neighborhood Schools Committee
     

• Blackshear Elementary

  • TUMC
  • Figure 8
     

• Blanton Elementary

  • Remodel Boutique
  • Fit Kid Academy
  • Red River Contract Flooring
  • Big Red Sun
  • Guardian Bikes
     

• Burnet Middle

  • UTeach Outreach (UT Prep)
  • Texas State Guard – Army
  • LifeChangers
  • Austin Voices in Education
  • 5 Star Ryders Motorcycle Club
     

• Covington Middle School

  • SING Orthodontics
  • Bannockburn Church
  • Zion Rest Hope Ministry
  • Assistance League of Austin
  • Hungry Souls
     

• Cowan Elementary

  • LovePacs
     
• Crockett Early College High
  • Junior Achievement
     

• Cunningham Elementary

  • South Austin Church
  • Berkeley United Methodist Church
  • Pizza Hut @ William Cannon
  • Jo-Ann Fabric and Craft
     

• Dawson Elementary

  • HEB
  • Office Depot
  • Horace Man – The Billingsley Agency
     

• Dobie Middle

  • Austin Chinese Church
     

• Doss Elementary

  • A+ Federal Credit Union
     

• Gorzycki Middle

  • Julie G Homes
  • Rise + Smile Orthodontics
     

• Govalle Elementary

  • Art All Summer
  • Notley
     

• Graham Elementary

  • Austin Chinese Church
     

• Gus Garcia Young Men’s Leadership Academy

  • Cedric Benson Mentoring Program
     

• Harris Elementary

  • David’s Foundation
     

• Highland Park Elementary

  • Copland Realty
  • Viva Day Spa
  • Roscher Law Firm
  • Franklin Alan
  • Orthopedic Specialists of Austin
     

• Houston Elementary

  • Celebration Church
  • Austin Stone Church
  • Onnit
  • Refuge Community Church
  • Academy 4
     

• Kealing Middle

  • Salesforce
     

• Kocurek Elementary

  • Kocurek PTA
  • Hungry Souls
  • Westoak Wood Baptist Church
  • Bethany Lutheran Church
  • Academy 4
     

• Langford Elementary

  • Baranoff PTA
  • Costco
     

• Maplewood Elementary

  • Haymaker
  • Thunderbird Coffee
  • City of Austin
  • Book People
  • Cherrywood Coffee House
     

• McBee Elementary

  • Academy 4
  • John’s Episcopal Church
     

• Odom Elementary

  • Hungry Souls
  • Sendero Health Plans
     

• Padron Elementary

  • Austin Bridge Church
  • Texas Civil Rights Project
  • Find Help
  • HEB
  • Gullet Elementary
     

• Pecan Springs Elementary

  • Rotarian Group 5670,
  • PEAS (Partners for Education, Agriculture and Sustainability)
  • HEB
  • David’s Foundation Dental Program
  • Andy Roddick Foundation
     

• Perez Elementary

  • H.E.B
  • Literacy First
  • ACE Afterschool Program
  • Brighter Bites
  • Clayton Community Support Committee
     

• Ridgetop Elementary

  • Trinity Church of Austin Partners In Education
  • Midtown Church/Education Connection

• Travis Early College High

  • Assistance League of Austin
  • H.E.B
     

• Webb Middle

  • Austin Stone Church – St. Johns
     

• Winn Montessori

  • Assistance League of Austin
  • HEB
  • Boys & Girls Club
  • Creative Action
     
• Wooten Elementary
  • Redeemer Lutheran Church
  • InKind, Inc
  • UT Seals
  • Girl Scouts of Central Texas
  • 3M

Volunteer and Partnership Opportunities:

For more information on how to become an approved volunteer, please go to Austin Partners in Education’s website.

To learn more about other volunteer opportunities at AISD, visit the Office of Innovation Department's website.