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WOMEN OF ACHIEVEMENT
THE NORTH PLATTE TELEGRAPH
SUNDAY, APRIL 4, 2021
2021 Women of Achievement Finalists EDUCATION
Kimberly Flanders
Her caring extends to her staff as well. “Kim makes us feel appreciated by sur- prising us with coffee or tea, having lunch brought in be- fore Christmas, and she even bought everyone a pizza to take home before Valentine’s Day,” wrote McDonald second-grade teacher Stephanie Bickford. In January 2020, Wood was among the first Nebraska co- hort to participate in the NAESP Pre-K-3 Leadership Academy, an award-winning professional learning program for principals and other school leaders.
Nine years ago, she had the opportunity to become a prin- cipal and since has led Cody, Buffalo and McDonald elemen- taries. “I have often seen her go- ing above and beyond to make sure a student has what they need (food, clothing, emotion- al support) so they can focus on learning while at school,” wrote Tamran Berol, a school secretary. “Most recently I have seen her advocate to help struggling brothers with food, shoes, clothes, toiletries, coats and even transportation.”
her leadership abilities and dedicates untold amounts of time both at home and at the school to ensuring school is run in a positive manner. She prides herself on know- ing the names of the students in her school and often goes out of her way to make sure that their individual needs are being met. Flanders began teaching in North Platte Public Schools in 1995, teaching third through fifth grades, and then became a K-5 instructional coach, all the while continuing her education and raising three daughters.
Kimberly Flanders is the principal of McDonald Elementary School in North Platte and has been involved in all aspects of education from teaching, reading coordinator and principal at multiple ele- mentary schools. Her dedication to three North Platte schools — Cody, Buffalo and McDonald — has greatly impacted the staff, the children and, ultimately, the communi- ty of North Platte, wrote her mother, Sally Jo Hoaglund, in nominating her. She has re- ceived numerous awards for
Stephanie Phye
things in an effort to make them smile and give them hope during such a difficult year.” Besides All Seasons, Phye has worked hard to help many other day cares improve, Michelle Whips said. “The day care that she opened, All Seasons, at Linden Estates is incredible, not only
for the children but for the resi- dents,” Whips said. “Seeing joy on both young and old is a ma- jor accomplishment. Now she is working with the North Platte community day care to make it better for the children and staff. She works so hard for our kids and the people that work for her.”
tor Amber Lovenburg, Phye’s daughter and employee. Phye incorporates generational care by working closely with Linden Estates and Linden Court. During the pandemic she has helped keep residents’ spirits high by safely providing in- teraction with the children. “She has implemented so many
Stephanie Phye owns the All Seasons Intergenerational Learning Center at Linden Court and Linden Estates. She is also a member of the North Platte Communities for Kids core team. “She is a vital part of our early childhood education community,” said nomina-
Pam Wood
the face of and as a result of COVID-19 that were not easy, but they were always what was best for the students in her care. She did not choose the path of least resistance, nor the path that would make the most people happy ... She chose the path that ensured our stu- dents would be kept safe, and the path that allowed McDaid to offer and maintain in-person learning. We are proud of her work and proud to have her as part of our staff.”
She became principal in 2016. You can find her in her office by 6:30 a.m. every day, getting a jump on the tasks at hand, planning for the day, and quite often sharing conversation and a granola bar with a student in need of both, Dodson said. Kevin Dodson, superinten- dent of North Platte Catholic Schools, said the pandemic “has brought to the forefront all of Pam’s strength as a lead- er and advocate for students. She has made decisions in
As a teacher at McDaid Elementary for 26 years, Wood guided students through the milestone year of second grade. She helped lay not only an ed- ucational foundation, but also a faith foundation, as sec- ond grade is when Catholic students first receive the sac- raments of reconciliation and Communion. As her classroom career lengthened at McDaid, Pam took on with ease the role of mentoring new teachers and encouraging her peers.
With a career that’s spanned over three decades at the North Platte Catholic Schools, McDaid Elementary Principal Pam Wood is a veteran educa- tor “who also holds a master’s in caring for kids,” according to nominator Wendy Dodson. Every facet of McDaid Elementary has been touched by Wood’s faith, wisdom and leadership,” Dodson said. “Generations of students, fami- lies and fellow teachers are all better for having known her.”
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