Employee Rock Stars

Rock Star

DCSD Rock Stars is a program created that recognizes and celebrates the accomplishments and outstanding work of DCSD employees. Nominated by District leaders, managers, and peers, ‘Rock Stars’ are recognized in INSIGHTS, the DCSD employee newsletter, and receive a small gift from DCSD. 

Is there somebody you would like to recognize? Nominate them by clicking here!
(Note: Nominations are only accepted by DCSD Employees for DCSD Employees)


Andrew Crawford, Business Analyst - Financial Systems, West Support Center

In your opinion, what makes this person a Rock Star?
I requested a change to a Workday process and Andrew's knowledge of Workday and how it works behind the scene made the change very seamless.

How have they gone above and beyond?
Andrew was very patient, professional, and easy to work with and was diligent in making sure the change wouldn't adversely affect any users of Workday. He was very busy with other tasks when I made my request but he didn't disregard my request and took care of it in a timely manner. It is a pleasure to work with Andrew not only because of his knowledge but also his willingness to help.

Nominated by Kelly Kalcevic, Senior Accountant - Construction



Kerrie Bocci, Science Teacher, Ranch View Middle School

In your opinion, what makes this person a Rock Star?
Kerrie is a great team leader and colleague. She shares an enthusiasm for science and for new ways to teach science that have led to great understanding and learning by our students. She is always kind and professional in her leadership. She takes all sides into consideration and we know that our concerns or ideas are being heard.

How have they gone above and beyond?
Kerrie continues to brainstorm and work on new ways to teach materials that keep students engaged. She consistently recognizes that we cannot keep doing the same thing in the same ways as even just 3 years ago. Today's students need something new and different.

Nominated by Lara Marxhausen, Science Teacher, Ranch View Middle School



Irene Apostolopoulos, Secretary to the Principal, Ranch View Middle School

In your opinion, what makes this person a Rock Star?
Irene works so hard to ensure all parts of the school are running smoothly. She is kind, considerate, hardworking, thoughtful, and so encouraging. She makes everyone smile!

How have they gone above and beyond?
She takes time to answer every question. She works to support teachers when out by making copies and making sure to check in with subs. She does everything she possibly can think of to keep our school running so smoothly!

Nominated by Lara Marxhausen, Science Teacher, Ranch View Middle School



Michelle Miller, SPED Teacher, South Ridge Elementary

In your opinion, what makes this person a Rock Star?
Michelle goes above and beyond in connecting with all of our students and in making students feel that they belong. She consistently jumps in to support by covering a class or covering a lunch duty. In fact, she jumped fearlessly into action when there were reports of a coyote on the property close to dismissal time. She is endlessly dedicated and such a valuable part of making South Ridge a special place.

How have they gone above and beyond?
Michelle will stop in to connect with any student who is having a challenging day. She is encouraging and supportive and always brings our students hope.

Nominated by Stephanie Brink, Assistant Principal, South Ridge Elementary



Thomas Palanuk, Multimedia Producer, Communications

In your opinion, what makes this person a Rock Star?
The amount of time and energy Tommy put into the Girls & Women in Sports for us! Shooting the opening video with Arielle Orsuto, finding and taking photos of our girls' sporting events, creating the excellent hype video, meeting at Cherry Hills with us, being at Cherry Hills the entire time during the event, and creating the live stream. 

How have they gone above and beyond?
Tommy dedicated so much time to us, and we can't thank him enough!

Nominated by Derek Chaney, District Athletic Director, and Sue Dakovich, Assistant to District Athletic Director



Alexis Castro, Registrar, Castle Rock Middle School

In your opinion, what makes this person a Rock Star?
Alexis started in the registrar role this year. Anyone who has been a middle school registrar knows that it is not the easiest job to walk into. She comes prepared for every training with questions that demonstrate a higher level of learning. She is eager to learn. Even at the beginning of the year when she was brand new, she was willing to let a new team member from SDES shadow her for this person to learn what it was like to be a school registrar. Our new team member came back with nothing but praise for her!

How have they gone above and beyond?
Alexis goes above and beyond every day by being on top of the ball with everything that is thrown at her. She handles it with grace and kindness.

Nominated by Christine Romanello, Student Records Specialist, West Support Center



Susan Smith, Administrative Assistant, Highlands Ranch High School

In your opinion, what makes this person a Rock Star?
Susan is always two steps ahead! When it comes to any changes with HRHS calendar days, Susan is on top of it. She submits help desk tickets to Student Data well in advance for any changes that are needed for HRHS calendar days. She has treated our department with kindness and understanding always.

How have they gone above and beyond?
Susan makes sure that any changes that are needed are done well in advance and not the day of or the day before. Just paying attention to that small little detail is one of the ways she goes above and beyond.

Nominated by Christine Romanello, Student Records Specialist, West Support Center



Deb Tawzer, Technology Teacher, Legend High School

In your opinion, what makes this person a Rock Star?
Over the past 16 years, I have known Deb Tawzer, she has been an advocate for empowering students and providing them with countless opportunities to explore their passions in multimedia design, engineering, video production, computer science, math, robotics, and programming. She has changed the trajectory of students' lives by providing them with industry certifications, and college credit and empowering them to believe they can live out their passions. I don't know how Deb finds the energy to teach and do what she does, but she finds her purpose through educating students and building a culture to give students hope and purpose. Deb is a humble individual that deserves to know that she has had an incredible impact on the DCSD community. Thank you for all that you do!

How have they gone above and beyond?
Deb has dedicated her career to providing her students countless postsecondary opportunities through earning career and technical education and concurrent enrollment credentials to provide her students the opportunity to earn high school and college credit. She has also spent an incredible amount of time building industry partners to allow students to have internships, apprenticeships, and job shadowing experiences. Her dedication to her student's success extends far beyond the classroom.

Nominated by Danny Winsor, Assistant Superintendent


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Outside Agencies

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NOTICE OF DESTRUCTION OF SPECIAL EDUCATION RECORDS

Special Education records which have been collected by Douglas County School District related to the identification, evaluation, educational placement, or the provision of special education in the district, must be maintained under state and federal laws for the period of five (5) years after special education services have ended for the student. Special education services end when the student is no longer eligible for services, graduates, or completes his/her educational program at age 21, or moves from the district. This notification is to inform parents/guardians and former students of Douglas County School District's intent to destroy the special education records of students who exited special education services as of June 30, 2016. These records will be destroyed in accordance with state law unless the parent/guardian or eligible (adult) student notifies the school district otherwise. After five years, the records are no longer useful to the district, but may be useful to the parent/guardian or former student in applying for social security benefits, rehabilitation services, college entrance, etc. The parent/guardian or eligible (adult) student may request a copy of the records by requesting the records at this link ( Douglas County School District Transcripts and Records Requests ).