Tri-City Sun

The Midland Public School District recognized some of it teachers during its meeting on Feb. 20, by presenting its Shining Stars awards.

McKenzi Mowery, an early child paraprofessional at Carpenter PrePrimary Education Center, and Carie Reinke, another staff member at Carpenter who started as a paraprofessional and became lead teacher, were both nominated by parents. Students and other faculty can also nominate staffers, Superintendent Michael Sharrow said.

"Carie was nominated for a shining star by MPS parents," Sharrow said, reading the nomination from a parent. "Mrs. Reinke has been phenomenal. We can only say positive things about my child's year, and I attribute that to her as a teacher and the school she attends."

Mowery started with MPS in 2021, working with 3-year-olds, her nomination read. Parents testified to "her passion and dedication to each and every one of her students" by the way she greeted them each morning and by how students excitedly tell their parents about the school day, Sharrow read.

Reinke also started as a paraprofessional before being brought up to lead teacher in 2021. She was also nominated by parents, who spoke to her phenomenal teaching and communication skills, mentioning the weekly newsletters and daily updates Reinke sends that, which allow parents to more easily engage with their kids about their schoolwork. Reinke's preschool classroom was a model example of what preschool should look like, parents said.

Curriculum specialist Rebecca Longstreth was also honored as Shining Star. Longstreth started with the district in 2008 and became an enrollment specialist in 2020. She was nominated by her colleagues for her professionalism and the way she interacts with the community, Sharrow said. Colleagues credited her organization and problem-solving skills, which make her liked and respected by staff.