MiT & M.Ed. ALUMNI RECOGNITIONS AND AWARDS 



Tim Holman, MiT 1999, won the 2012 K-12 Distinguished High School 
Educator of the Year from The Evergreen State College. Tim’s nomination 
was based on his outstanding work with students and his dedication to 
bringing community members and important political figures into direct 
conversation with his students. Tim teaches at DuPont Manual High School 
in Louisville, KY. 

Kate (Trafton) Hudson, MiT 2003, won the 2012 K-12 Distinguished Middle 
School Educator of the Year from The Evergreen State College. Kate is 
committed to helping others succeed and reaches out to new teachers. Her principal stated, “I cannot 
overemphasize Kate’s positive impact on the sixth graders in our building, her colleagues in the building, 
and the 5th grade math teachers in the district. She is a game changer and extremely valuable to the 
Olympia School District.” She teaches 6th grade Math and Science at Marshall Middle School in Olympia. 

Janet O’Halloran, MiT 1998, won the 2012 K-12 Distinguished Elementary Educator of the Year from The 
Evergreen State College. Janet is completing her 14th year as an elementary teacher in the Olympia 
School District, currently working with 3rd graders at McKenny Elementary. Her principal stated, “What 
makes Ms. O’Halloran stand out in our field is her extraordinary skill and commitment with students, at the 
school level, as a District leader and in the larger political efforts of public education. On this respect, she 
represents the core values inherent to our profession and more specifically to The Evergreen State 
College’s philosophy of understanding the social relevance and responsibility of our work.” 

Amada Lang, MiT 2005, was awarded Washington State’s Elementary Art Educator of the Year, 2012 by 
the Washington Art Education Association. Amada teaches art at Horizons Elementary in the North 
Thurston School District. She stated that her favorite part of teaching art is seeing her students’ 
amazement at their own ability and creativity. 

Tamar Krames, MiT 2006, was named Educator of the Month for April 2012 by the Lakewood Rotary. 
Tamar teaches English Language Learners at Clover Park High School. Her principal stated, “Tamar 
exhibits a personable affinity with parents, staff and students. She represents herself as a strong role 
model for young women and men – many of whom do not have support at home, especially those who are 
struggling to learn a new language, a different culture, and rigorous expectations to graduate.” 

Annie Soles, MiT 1993, was named “Teacher of the Year 2012” for Nisqually Middle School in the North 
Thurston School District. This award is presented by the North Thurston Education Association and North 
Thurston Public Schools. “ I love my job and am passionate about sharing my interests in biology and 
instilling a desire to learn more about our natural world,” Soles writes. “I have enjoyed exploring with my 
students the wonders of nature and challenges that we face in regard to our environment’s health.” 

Sarah Applegate, MiT 1992, was recognized at the 40th Anniversary of The Evergreen State College by 
the Recreation and Athletics Hall of Fame. Applegate was the first All-American in Evergreen’s history; 
she swam with the Geoducks while earning both her undergraduate and graduate degrees. She is 
currently the librarian at River Ridge High School in Lacey. 

Jerry Price, MiT 1995, teaches Social Studies at Yelm High School. He was named the 2011 Secondary 
Teacher of the Year for Yelm Community Schools. Jerry was selected for going “above and beyond” to 
contribute toward the mission and vision of the district in serving students. 

Armin Antonio, MiT 2002, was named 2011 Teacher of the Year for Baker Middle School in Tacoma, 
where he teaches science. 

Cecily Schmidt, MiT 2004, won the 2011 K-12 Distinguished Educator of the Year from The Evergreen 
State College. Cecily was nominated by her Dean of Students at Capital High School in Olympia where 
she teaches Art. This award was established in 2011 to recognize Teacher Education Programs alumni 
who are doing great things in the schools. 

Hilary Davis, MiT 2007, a 5th grade teacher at McLane Elementary in Olympia, was recently awarded the 
2011 “Champion of Differences” award from the Olympia School District. The award is given to an 
employee who teaches the value of diversity. 

Kathy Blue, MiT 2009, of Woodbrook Middle School in the Clover Park School District, recently brought 
eighty 8th grade students to compete in an annual academic competition as part of the Mathematics, 
Engineering, and Science Achievement (MESA) Day. Kathy’s students swept the wind turbine competition 
by winning all three awards for the middle school category and also won awards in Algebra, Pre-Algebra, 
Sail Cars and Straw Towers. She stated, “These hands-on projects provided the opportunity to recognize 
the strengths of different types of learners and allowed all students a chance to create something special.” 

Rob Cahill, MiT 2008, was named 2011 Teacher of the Year for Lakes Elementary School. Rob also 
spearheaded a school-wide composting campaign. 

Ervanna Little Eagle, MiT 2004, was awarded the 2011 “Indian Educator of the Year” by the Washington 
State Indian Education Association. Ervanna teaches Language Arts at Tulalip Heritage High School. Mt. 
Vernon School District commended her work as helping to “bridge academics, culture, and hands on 
learning… together, these strategies help engage learners as never before.” 

Jeremiah Tuckett, MiT 2006, was named 2011 Teacher of the Year at South Sound High School in Lacey, 
where he teaches science. This is the second year in a row that Jeremiah has received this award. 

Brian Eggleston, MiT 2005, of Washougal High School was named 2010 Teacher of the Year for ESD 
112. He teaches Spanish and is the Foreign Language Department Chair. 
Sally Jamison, MiT 2007, teaches English at Chinook Middle School in Lacey. She was named 2010 
Teacher of the Year for her school, and stated, “I owe much of the congratulations for Teacher of the Year 
to MiT.” 

Isis Albert, MiT 2001, was named Washington State Bilingual Educator of the Year 2010 by the 
Washington Association of Bilingual Education. She teaches at Evergreen Elementary School in Shelton. 

Ashley Rupp, MiT 2000, won the 2010 Dick Williams Award, which recognizes outstanding contributions 
to multiculturalism and diversity in the North Thurston Public Schools. It is the highest award the district 
offers for diversity education. 

Lauri Boren, MiT 1994, coached three teams of her 5th grade science students from B.F. Day Elementary 
in Seattle who were selected to participate in the 2008 National Science foundation Sally Ride TOY 
Challenge. One team won an honorable mention in design; another team won an honorable mention in 
engineering. 

Laura Handy-Nimick, MiT 2005, was recognized as one of six winners of the 2008 Teachers Who Make a 
Difference Award, presented by Sylvan Learning Center and King 5 Television. It was also noted that after 
a year of working with Ms Handy, 76% of a group of students who had not met the WASL reading standard 
were successful in meeting standard.