The following employees were selected to receive the April Employee Excellence Awards and recognition at the April 2025 school board meeting.
Employees are recognized between October and June of each school year. Nominations are open to staff, students, parents and community members. Nominees are selected for recognition by a committee of their peers.
In addition to awardees chosen by the peer nomination and Excellence Awards committee voting process, the Board of Directors may recognize recipients who have been nominated by the Superintendent’s Cabinet for demonstrating exceptional leadership and dedication to VPS students and their families.
Grace Borowski
Mental Health Therapist, Thomas Jefferson Middle School
Empathetic and selfless, Grace Borowski is a vital member of the counseling team at Thomas Jefferson Middle School. As a Mental Health Therapist, she provides crucial one-on-one and group support, and consistently aids the counseling team in crisis situations. Grace is dedicated to ensuring the safety of our most vulnerable students, skillfully communicating with families to make sure of their well-being at home and school. Grace’s exceptional skills and ability to connect with students is evident – Her nominator recalls a recent incident in which Grace calmly sat with two students on the floor during a crisis, listening deeply to their concerns and developing a plan of action that deescalated the situation and made both students feel heard and understood. Time and again, Grace’s remarkable care and empathy shine through, making a tangible difference in the community at Thomas Jefferson. Thank you, Grace.
Tyley Hunter
5th-Grade Teacher, Hazel Dell Elementary
Tyley Hunter, fifth-grade teacher at Hazel Dell Elementary, stands out as both an exceptional colleague and a cheerleader for staff and students alike. In the classroom, he prioritizes building strong, supportive relationships with his fifth-graders, nurturing an environment where they feel confident and empowered to excel. His commitment extends beyond the elementary classroom, as he generously dedicates his time to the girls basketball program at Columbia River High School. Tyley cultivates joy, fosters a sense of community, and consistently demonstrates genuine care for those around him. As his nominator shares, “If you have ever met Mr. Hunter, you know he is the best cheerleader and coach around.” Thank you, Tyley.
Luanna Ingram
Math Teacher, Fort Vancouver High School
Luanna Ingram, a math teacher at Fort Vancouver High School, has been with our district for nearly two decades. During this time, she has had a profound impact on the lives of hundreds of students, including Isaac, a Fort student who put her name forward for this recognition. To understand the extent of Luanna’s impact, we will share a bit from Isaac’s nomination: “Ms. Luanna holds up our school. She personally sees that every single student put under her care excels. I’m so confident in myself and I have learned more from her than what I have from any other teacher. She teaches math, life lessons, and so much more. I don’t know what so many of our students would do without her. She has personally made sure so many students from our school have been able to graduate, and she is amazing. She deserves this award, and so much more. Thank you Ms. Luanna for supporting me, my friends, my classmates, and my school community. You deserve the world.” Thank you, Luanna.
