Spotlight

At The ASK Academy, we pride ourselves on fostering a community of excellence, where educators continually strive for growth, collaboration, and innovation. In December 2024, two outstanding educators were recognized with the prestigious Excellence Award for their exceptional dedication, leadership, and impact on both their scholars and colleagues: Project Managers Samantha Vollmar and Cheryl Walker.

Recognizing Excellence in Performance and Professionalism
The Excellence Award is a reflection of the high standards set by The ASK Academy. To earn this accolade, educators must meet a rigorous set of criteria that reflect their contributions in three key areas: performance, professionalism, and their impact on students. Samantha and Cheryl exemplify these attributes, demonstrating unwavering commitment to their craft and their students' success.

A Commitment to Best Practices and Continuous Growth
Both Samantha and Cheryl consistently demonstrate the use of evidence-based practices that enhance scholar performance and lead to positive outcomes. By staying current with the latest educational research and best practices, they effectively apply innovative strategies to their daily tasks, ensuring that their students receive the highest quality education. If you have not seen An Anthology of Universal Experiences, the collection of poetry from Cheryl's AP Literature course, you have missed deep, beautiful and meaningful poetry created by her scholars. 
Do you need a book recommendation? Seek out the recommendations from 8th graders in Sam's English Language Arts course. They were on display at the Loma Colorado Public Library and are now in display in our foyer. 

Professionalism: The Heart of a Collaborative and Supportive Environment
The qualities of professionalism shine brightly in Samantha and Cheryl. As team players, they actively contribute to a cooperative and supportive environment, always willing to share resources and ideas with colleagues. Their leadership qualities are evident, as Poofessional Learming Commnity Leaders, they serve as mentors to newer staff members, guiding them with patience and insight. They also collaborate effectively with staff from every field at ASK and provide training in best educational practices. This year, Cheryl provided training on rubric creation and effective formative assessments. Samantha led a training on supporting our English Learners. 

Their commitment to their roles and to The ASK Academy’s mission is unwavering, and they are known for their positive attitude and solutions-oriented approach, even when faced with challenges.

Impact on Scholars: Inspiring and Motivating the Next Generation
At the core of Samantha and Cheryl’s work is their profound impact on scholoars. They build meaningful, respectful relationships with each scholar, creating a safe, supportive learning environment where all students feel valued. This strong foundation allows scholarss to thrive and actively engage in their learning journey.

Through their dedication to Project-Based Learning (PBL) and effective ELA teaching practices, both educators ensure that students are not only learning academic content but also developing critical problem-solving and collaboration skills. Samantha’s ability to guide students through complex projects with clarity and purpose has been a hallmark of her success. Similarly, Cheryl’s focus on real-world applications of learning has ignited a passion for discovery among her students.
Both Samantha and Cheryl inspire their students to reach their full potential, motivating them to take an active role in their education. By instilling a growth mindset, they encourage students to see challenges as opportunities for growth, preparing them for success in both academic and real-world endeavors.

A Well-Deserved Recognition
The Excellence Award is a testament to the dedication, passion, and hard work that Samantha Vollmar and Cheryl Walker bring to The ASK Academy each day. Their contributions extend far beyond the classroom, creating a ripple effect that positively impacts the entire school community. By adhering to the highest standards of performance and professionalism, and by consistently inspiring and motivating their students, they have set a remarkable example of what it means to be a true leader in education.

As we celebrate their achievements, we look forward to the continued growth and success that both Samantha and Cheryl will undoubtedly bring to the Academy. Their recognition is well-deserved, and we are proud to have them as part of our educational community.

Congratulations, Samantha and Cheryl, on your Excellence Award—thank you for your unwavering commitment to The ASK Academy and to the scholars you inspire each day! Please make corrections to conventions as needed.