Martha Aguila Santana named 2026 “Excellence in Education” Recipient
Martha Aguila Santana, who serves as a Special Education Paraeducator at Jefferson Elementary School, has been named the recipient of the “Excellence in Education” honor from our school board! Each year, the board selects one classified employee to receive this recognition. Martha was nominated by her colleague, Nathan Hascall, who also serves as a Special Education Paraeducator at Jefferson. Nathan’s nomination highlighted Martha’s dedication to students, her support for fellow staff members, and the meaningful impact she makes each day.
Martha has served the Pullman School District for 6 years! Nathan shared in his nomination letter, “Martha is an incredible source of calm consistent support to our ILC students and staff. She primarily works one on one with a very energetic and frequently physical student. She uses picture cards, gestures, simple phrases and proximity masterfully to communicate with this student while remaining stoic through many very intense behaviors. In addition to her excellence working with this student, Martha helps keep the ILC room organized, preparing materials in the morning, brainstorming ideas to address unmet needs, and ensuring all details of our student routines remain consistent. Martha also has mentored me this year with my new student with limited receptive language on how to use pictures and gestures more effectively. She also showed me how to use a token reward system effectively to rapidly establish trust between me and a new student. Martha demonstrates excellence in all areas I see her working, always happy to help any staff looking for advice, and advocating for all students to receive dignified and efficacious services.”
Congratulations Martha! Pullman School District thanks you for your many years of service!
2026 Excellence in Education Award Nominees:
- Michelle Dunlap, Secretary at Franklin Elementary School. Michelle has served the Pullman School District for 9 years!
- Tammy Storey, Library Paraeducator at Sunnyside Elementary and Lincoln Middle School. Tammy has served the Pullman School District for 21 years!
- Eve Strongoni, Library Paraeducator at Pullman High School. Eve has served the Pullman School District for 16 years!
- Michelle Watt, Special Education Paraeducator at Pullman High School. Michelle has served the Pullman School District for 8 years!
Pullman School District thanks you all for your many years of service!