Pictured from left: Mara Dungan, Robert Streit, and Superintendent Tim Heckenlively

Superintendent Tim Heckenlively announced The Falls City Education Foundation Annual Outstanding Teacher of the Year Award and the Outstanding Employee of the Year Award during the opening session of the Falls City Public Schools Pre-Service on Tuesday, August 10th.

            Falls City High science instructor, Robert Streit, was presented the Outstanding Teacher of the Year Award. Mr. Streit is beginning his 28th year of teaching with the Falls City Public Schools. He has been active as a teacher, colleague, and served on building and district-level committees. He is dedicated to his students’ academic success and academic needs, is a leader in technology in the classroom and is always willing to share his knowledge of technology to his colleagues.

            Mara Dungan is the recipient of the Outstanding Employee of the Year Award. Mara Dungan is beginning her 8th year with the school district. She has served the school district as a special education paraeducator, and is currently our Nutrition Services Director. The COVID-19 pandemic threatened the food security for the children of our school district, beginning in March of 2020. And with less than a week to prepare, the district’s Grab & Go meal program was organized and launched, serving over 600 meals daily from the middle school site. Mara, along with her outstanding staff, went above and beyond to make sure everyone in the school could have a balanced, nutritional meal. The Grab & Go program continued through the summer of 2021, serving nearly 350 meals daily.

            The purpose of these awards is to recognize excellence in the field of education. The recipients of this award play key roles in creating a school environment that promotes student achievement, safety, and health.