2025 Dedicated Teaching Team Award

Kamiak Elementary Fifth Grade Team named 2025 “Dedicated Teaching Team Recognition Award” Recipient
Posted on 05/06/2025

At the April 30, 2025 Regular Board Meeting, the Kamiak Elementary Fifth Grade Team was presented with the 2025 Dedicated Teaching Team Recognition Award by the Pullman Public Schools Board of Directors. Each year, the board typically has selected one certificated employee to receive this recognition; however, this year our Board of Director’s is presenting a “Dedicated Teaching Team Recognition Award” in lieu of the “Dedicated Teacher Award.” This recognition is in appreciation of that team’s demonstrated dedication to students and to their school.

Meghan McKeirnan, Isayah Quitugua, and Emily Poston’s team was recommended for this recognition by Evan Hecker, Kamiak Elementary School Principal, who shared that this high-functioning collaborative team played a key role in Kamiak Elementary School earning recognition as a Washington State ESEA Distinguished School.

Principal Hecker shared, “This team operates with a shared mission, vision, values, and goals centered on high levels of learning for all students. They’ve created a common understanding of what the fifth-grade experience should look like and work collaboratively to bring that vision to life. Their goals are SMART—specific, measurable, attainable, results-oriented, and time-bound—and they use them to monitor progress and adjust instruction as needed. Their commitment to collaboration, continuous improvement, and a focus on results has transformed learning in their classrooms and across our school. Their example shows that when educators unite around a shared purpose, extraordinary outcomes are possible. This team embodies what it means to be a professional learning community—and their work played a central role in Kamiak Elementary being named a 2024 Washington State ESEA Distinguished School.”

From all of us here at Pullman School District, we extend our congratulations to Meghan McKeirnan, Isayah Quitugua, and Emily Poston – Kamiak Elementary Fifth Grade Team!


2025 Dedicated Teaching Team Recognition Award Nominees:

Special Education Teaching Team, Pullman High School

Mathematics Teaching Team, Lincoln Middle School

Second Grade Teaching Team, Sunnyside Elementary School

Core+ Teaching Team, Jefferson Elementary School

Core+ Teaching Team, Franklin Elementary School