Testimonials

Ian Long
  • Network Specialist SEC
I love the people; the sense of teamwork is rock solid in every department, and the leadership is always working right alongside you. I always stay busy and feel valued.
Mark Brogan
  • Maintenance Mechanic DW
I really do enjoy coming to work and getting to do the job I do. I also feel challenged, which is great.
Mark Brogan
  • Maintenance Mechanic DW
I love that my kids go to school in the district and I am able to drive the bus for their sporting events. I also enjoy the work I do and my peers I get to work with.
Chris Holman
  • Principal PS
I would share the importance of using specialists and colleagues in your building to help in working with meeting students' needs. A team approach is welcomed and ultimately more effective.
Carol Deuninck
  • Bus Driver DW
The number one reason I love my job is being a part of the kids' lives. Even though I don't spend a lot of time with them, they become a very special part of my life—they are "my kids." Being a bus driver is the most rewarding job I've ever had.
Azure Chooncharoen
  • Reading Plus Teacher WRMS
I have taught at Indian Hills Elementary for 15 years. It is a place that I feel is home to me now, and I take great pride in being a part of this community. My days are filled with supportive colleagues and students who give me purpose.
Rebecca Makowski
  • Kindergarten Teacher JS
As a teacher, the best reason I love my job is because I get to help shape the lives of little children. I get the chance to make the start of their school career a great experience. I get to see strides made every day in my classroom. I love all the little hugs and "I love you"s and the notes. I love seeing their independence develop.
Erinn Bradstreet
  • Fifth Grade Teacher IH
I love knowing that I might be the one person that makes a kid smile each day!!
Barbara Alstrom
  • Food Service Manager WRHS
I love the fact that I now have a second family, and the smiles I see every day from every student that eats.
Erin Vines
  • Third Grade Teacher AE
I enjoy working at a building where everyone is there for one thing: student success.
Chris Holman
  • Principal PS
I love my job because I get to see the growth of students both academically and behaviorally. I also love the fact that I am part of a team that realizes that the growth we desire in students doesn't happen by accident—it takes deliberate effort where we team with the students and parents.
Jamey Thomas-Andrews
  • Kindergarten Teacher IH
I love my job in Auburn-Washburn because I am an integral part in shaping our future. I help build a foundation for students to discover their talents, their passions and their life-long path. I have been lucky enough to work in our district for 22 years, so many of my former students find their way back to our hallways at Indian Hills to remember when they were once an Eagle. In their eyes, I can see the memories flood back, in their smiles I see them recall where "it" all began. How could I not love being a part of that?
Dave Montgomery
  • Assistant Director of Operations SEC
I love the people I work with and the relationships we forge, as well as the opportunity to grow with a district that values every individual and treats you like family.
Luke Chaffee
  • Band Instructor WRHS
I've always said teaching isn't a job. There's working for a living, and then there's coming to a place every day where you get to interact with kids AND get paid for it. I feel extremely fortunate to teach a subject where I have kids for four straight years. The relationships built during that time extend well past high school and the subject matter.
Silvia Hinojos-Salayandia
  • SPED Teacher JS
I get to see my students' academic and social growth then my job becomes a passion. We do make a difference, one day at a time!!
Jennifer Baurley
  • Food Service Manager PS
I love that my work hours accommodate my child's school schedule, which allows me to tend to my family.
Tammy Smart
I love to work alone at night, sweeping and mopping my floors and cleaning tables, and looking back to see what the teacher will see when he/she first enters in the morning - a clean room.
Kyle Nelson
  • Sixth Grade Teacher IH
I love making a difference and feeling free to be creative about lessons.
Kirby Richard
  • Early Childhood Teacher AE
I oftentimes tell my supervisors that I feel so fortunate to have the best job ever...I love the families I work with and feel fortunate that I get to build lasting relationships with them and their kids...I feel valued at Auburn-Washburn by my colleagues and supervisors. I feel like I hit the jackpot when getting this job!
Erin Appuhn
  • Interventionist JS
The best part about my job is the look on a student's face when he or she gets that test handed back and sees that all of the hard work has paid off! They are so proud, so confident, and feel so accomplished. I love it—tears in my eyes every time.
Heidi Carlson
  • SPED Instructional Facilitator SEC
I love that my job involves problem solving and unique situations every day. No student is like another which means each comes with great strengths and different struggles. I'm thankful that I'm able to use so many different strategies to meet the needs of my students!
Sarah Wells
  • First Grade Teacher IH
I love my coworkers and students!
Kathy Galvin
  • Sixth Grade Teacher IH
I love the community feeling I get working here. The students are the best, and the teachers I work with excel in so many ways. The staff is so supportive and like a second family.
Christal Snyder
  • Lunchroom Aide WRHS
I love the people.
Judy Crites
  • Food Service Worker IH
What's not to love? You're working with kids who are predictable and totally unpredictable, and you get a great summer vacation and mini vacations all year long!
Michelle McShane
  • Fourth Grade Teacher WE
I love working with students & staff!
Ann Root
  • Secretary of Operations SEC
I love the opportunity to help make each of the buildings a clean and safe place to learn and work.
Lisa Dall
  • Head Custodian WRMS
I love everything!! Everyone at the school that works here has been always offering to help in any way they can. The staff is always friendly in the passing in the halls. Before you know it, it's time to go home. Look forward to coming to work every day as I feel like we're all family.
Melinda Thomas
  • Food Service Manager IH
I love that I have great co-workers and a great schedule with summers off!
Dave Montgomery
  • Assistant Director of Operations SEC
We get a tremendous amount of support from our management team, and this allows us to focus on the quality of our job-related tasks. All team members treat one another with a great deal of respect and try to support each other anytime someone needs it. The people make this a great place to work!
Teresa Plachecki
  • Dean of Students IH
There are so many things I love about my job. It is challenging, ever evolving, and includes shaping human lives. I cherish the fact that I can have an impact on both adults and students in my position.
Shannon Mason
  • SPED Teacher PS
I love the support I have among the other staff members in my subject area. They are all so supportive, and we work together to solve problems and learn from each other. I also Love building the relationships with my students. I am so lucky to get to serve my students for 2 or 3 years at a time. I am lucky enough to see all the progress that they have made over the years and can often celebrate their successes with them. I am also honored to be able to collaborate with teachers across the district through trainings and participation in District Curriculum Committee. I love to get to know other teachers in other buildings and get to build friendships with them.
Janae Adams
  • First Grade Teacher JS
I love seeing my students grow throughout the school year!
Emma Tichenor
  • Third Grade Teacher IH
I love the people I get to work with every day! I can't walk down the hallway without being greeted by a colleague. We are all passionate about what we do, and we have fun while doing it!
Rachel Steenbock
  • Secretary of Human Resources SEC
What I love about my job in Auburn-Washburn School District is meeting and onboarding new employees and the day-to-day life in the HR Department. I really enjoy being part of a team, of which our primary goal is making sure we provide a safe and positive learning environment for our children.