You Make a Difference

Staff members are nominated by colleagues to receive a You Make a Difference Award for their support of students and the mission of Salina Public Schools. Board of Education members surprise recipients during their workday with a lapel pin and a handwritten note.

May 2026

Joe Acheson, Warehouse Manager
Operations Center

Joe’s dedication and outstanding work ethic make him an essential part of Salina Public Schools. He consistently goes above and beyond to ensure each building has the supplies and support they need, always handling requests with friendliness, efficiency and a positive attitude. Whether something is needed quickly or requires extra attention, Joe is always willing to help without hesitation or complaint. His reliability and commitment make the jobs of those around him easier and help our schools run smoothly each day. Joe’s willingness to go the extra mile and his exceptional service makes a difference—thank you, Joe!

 

Julie Bonilla-Acheson, Paraprofessional
Schilling Elementary School

Julie’s positivity, kindness and caring spirit make a difference at Schilling every day. She brings warmth and encouragement wherever she goes, always greeting others with a smile that lifts the spirits of those around her. Julie genuinely cares about both students and staff, creating an environment where people feel supported, valued and appreciated. Even on the most challenging days, she radiates sunshine and is always willing to step in and help however she can. Her compassion and dedication to others truly make a difference—thank you, Julie!

 

Tristen Denham, Fifth Grade Teacher
Coronado Elementary School

Tristen’s leadership and dedication make her an invaluable part of the Coronado community. As the lead organizer for Big Little Day, she takes on the responsibility of coordinating staff station assignments, creating an organized voting system for students and sorting all Coronado students into groups based on their preferences. Through her careful planning, communication and attention to detail, Tristen helps ensure that Big Little Day runs smoothly and creates a positive experience for everyone involved. Tristen’s commitment, organization and willingness to serve others show how she makes a difference—thank you, Tristen!

 

Ana Eisenman, Bilingual Education Support
Schilling Elementary School

Ana’s positivity, flexibility and willingness to help have made her an essential part of the Schilling community. During a recent staff transition, she stepped up to take on additional responsibilities without hesitation and consistently supported the office team in a variety of important ways. No matter the task, Ana approached each day with a friendly attitude, an upbeat spirit and a true commitment to teamwork. Her dependable support and encouraging presence have been greatly appreciated by those around her. Ana’s dedication and team-first mindset makes a difference every day—thank you, Ana!

 

Patricia Haas, Early Childhood Family and Community Liaison
Heartland Early Education

Patricia makes a difference everyday through her compassion, dedication and strong relationships with families. As a family consultant, she works closely with teachers and provides meaningful support, services and resources to Head Start families within our elementary school buildings. Patricia consistently communicates important updates, checks in to offer support and works collaboratively to meet the needs of both teachers and families. Even while balancing responsibilities across multiple buildings, she approaches every interaction with positivity, kindness and a welcoming smile. Patricia’s commitment to supporting children, families and staff truly makes a difference—thank you, Patricia!

 

Ruth Ann Holgerson, Instructional Assistant
Schilling Elementary School

Ruth Ann makes a difference every day at Schilling. Her dedication and willingness to serve others have been especially evident during a recent staff transition. Despite already managing a full workload, she has continually stepped in to take on additional responsibilities with professionalism, flexibility and a positive attitude. Her team-centered approach has helped ensure that students, families and staff continue to receive the support they need without missing a beat. Through her steady presence, reliability and readiness to help wherever needed, Ruth Ann has provided invaluable support during a challenging time­—thank you for all you do, Ruth Ann!

 

Krista Linenberger, Director of Elementary Programs
District Office

Krista’s leadership, encouragement and dedication make her an incredible asset to Salina Public Schools. Through the many roles she takes on, she consistently demonstrates what strong leadership should look like by communicating effectively, listening with intention, problem-solving and supporting others with genuine care and positivity. Her collaborative approach creates an environment where people feel valued, encouraged and empowered to grow. Working alongside Krista has inspired others to become stronger leaders themselves, as she has the ability to help people recognize the greatness within themselves. Krista’s impact reaches far beyond her daily responsibilities. Thank you for making a difference, Krista!

 

Kayla Reid, Speech Language Pathologist
Sunset Elementary School

Kayla’s dedication, leadership and compassion make her an invaluable part of the Sunset community. Kayla spends countless hours creating individualized lessons so her nonverbal students can fully engage and have a voice in their learning. This year, she went above and beyond by programming each student’s communication device specifically for music programs, allowing them to actively participate and shine alongside their peers. She has mentored practicum students as they develop the skills needed to become successful school-based speech pathologists, while also helping guide and support a new hire at another school. Even with these added responsibilities, Kayla continues to provide exceptional care and service to her students every day—thank you for making a difference, Kayla!

 

Morgan Soldan, Kindergarten Teacher
Stewart Elementary School

Morgan’s dedication to her students and commitment to meeting their individual needs make her an essential part of the Stewart community. She creates a classroom environment where every student is supported and challenged to grow, despite the wide range of learning needs and multiple home languages represented in her classroom. Her commitment goes far beyond the school day, as she has continued supporting new language learners through summer school to help build a strong foundation before first grade. Morgan’s passion, perseverance and student-centered mindset make a lasting impact on the lives of her students and truly make a difference at Stewart—thank you, Morgan!