Kristie Duran, counselor at Sanford Schools
The outstanding staff at Sanford Schools did their best to hide the secret from Kristie Duran. The students and staff were called into the auxiliary gym Tuesday for an after-lunch assembly and the school counselor dutifully marched in with the rest, unsuspicious of what was to come.
Until she spotted her mom.
Her children Huntley and Avery in the assembly, no problem. They go to school at Sanford. But there was her mom in the gymnasium, trying to stay undetected on the other end with flowers in hand. That was the giveaway.
Duran, who arrived at Sanford in 2014, was presented with the Adams State University Educator Highlight Award and judging from the response of the gathered student body and teachers and staff at the school, it’s a well-deserved recognition for her.
The award is presented each month by Adams State School of Education Director Curtis Garcia, Ph.D., based on nominations the school receives.
“She is so deserving of this,” said Secondary Principal Mandy Mortensen, who brought the students into the assembly and asked Duran to talk about the things that have changed in her time at the school.
“We went from the Indians to the Mustangs, that was a big change,” she responded.
It was an emotional school assembly as she talked to the students about the essence of being the school counselor.
“I always get sad every year. I grow closer and closer to the seniors and then by the time I love you like my own kids, you guys leave me. That’s really sad. So every year I feel like we go through that, like you guys go to college and I’m still stuck here. Sometimes I speak, sometimes you go off in your mind. The kids change. My office hasn’t changed.”
Students were asked to shout out a word associated with Duran.
“Greatness. Kindness,” the words rang down.
“What’s one of your secret powers to do the job you do?” she was asked.
“Patience. I don’t know. I’m very patient with you guys for sure. Patience, just the love that I have for these kids, I guess, is my superpower. Just knowing that they’re going to go off and be wonderful people and be successful in the world, that just makes me feel good.”
Her mother sat in the stands and listened.
“When I saw my mom sitting in the corner, I was suspicious. I told the seniors we had a presentation after lunch to talk about rules. I had no idea. But I love you all. I hope you guys know that,” she said.
Mom gave her the flowers and photographs were taken. In the end, the school counselor realized the school assembly was for her to show how much Sanford cares.
“Just really surprised and thank you guys for doing this. It makes me feel really special and honored. Sometimes we feel like you’re not making a difference. Kids don’t really care what you’re doing. This makes me feel special.”
If you know an educator like Kristie Duran doing exceptional work in the San Luis Valley, make a nomination for the Adams State Educator Highlight Award. Here is the form.
PAST EHA WINNERS
Presley Garcia, Monte Vista special education teacher
Nick Dionisio, Alamosa High English teacher
Aaron Miltenberger, Boys & Girls Club executive director
Anna Bishop, Center High School CLD teacher
Phyllis Vigil, Sierra Grande first-grade teacher
AlexAndria Moore-Guenter, Moffat Schools secondary counselor
Omar Gonzalez, Alamosa Elementary visual art and music teacher
Leanna Brazel, Alamosa Elementary kindergarten teacher
Freddy Lawrence, Alamosa Elementary custodian
Joe Guenther, South Conejos School District
Katie Turner, Del Norte math teacher
Edwin Mondragon, Monte Vista High School agriculture teacher
Aaron Williams, GOAL High School English teacher
Miriam Baines, Alamosa High School biology and math teacher
Rachel Kellum, Moffat Schools art teacher
Darlene Pinales, Sargent School District, food service staff member
Upward Bound summer faculty, Adams State University
Erika Henderson, chemistry teacher Alamosa High School
Jay Sarason, aviation teacher, Sargent High School
Domingo Estrada, director, Semillas de la Tierra
Lisa Lucero, preschool teacher, Moffat School District
Scott Honeycutt, ASD’s transportation director and chief safety officer
Annette Sisneros, fifth-grade teacher, Alamosa Elementary
Taylor Hubbard, K-12 art teacher, Centennial School District
Lauren McKinney, science teacher, Sangre de Cristo Schools
Amanda Stagner, business teacher, Alamosa High School
Laura Hegey, third-grade teacher, Alamosa Elementary
College Assistance Migrant Program (CAMP) staff, Adams State University
Student Support Services, Adams State University
Kelly Reynolds, second-grade teacher, Sanford Elementary
Pat Naranjo, literacy and math lab instructor, Centauri Middle School
Nikol Kelley, language arts teacher, Centauri Middle School
Elona Medina, technology and media teacher, Alamosa High School
Elena Sopala, first-grade teacher, Alamosa Elementary School
Cheri Jones, MTSS coordinator, Ortega Middle School
Bonnie Schweizer, fourth-grade teacher, Alamosa Elementary School
ABOUT THE EDUCATOR HIGHLIGHT AWARD:
This monthly award recognizes Adams State University School of Education alumni, prominent local teachers, and other educators working within or hailing from the San Luis Valley. In so doing, Adams State University hopes to build familiarity with the community as a serious destination for future educators. Nominate an educator.
