Nevada Association of School Boards presents awards to Lyon County School District leaders

Lyon County School District has come away with four of the Nevada Association of School Boards 2020 Awards. Josh Wiley, rock-star teacher at Silver Stage Middle School, is recognized as the Innovative Educator of the Year.

Billiejo Hogan, leader and principal at Fernley’s East Valley Elementary School is recognized as the School Administrator of the Year. John Stevens, who is in his twelfth year as a Board Member for the LCSD, is recognized as the Individual School Board Member of the Year. Wayne Workman, who has been at the helm of LCSD for over 5 years, is recognized as the Superintendent of the Year – Workman was also previously recognized as the Nevada Association of School Superintendents (NASS) Superintendent of the Year.

NASB Innovative Educator of the Year
To recognize the invaluable service provided to Nevada’s children by those individuals who demonstrate their leadership by promoting and implementing innovative programs designed to improve student achievement.

“Yes, Mr. Wiley is a great teacher, but he brings so much more to our school than just content,” states SSMS Principal, Amber Taylor.

Josh Wiley teaches, empowers and innovates seventh grade math and science at SSMS. SSMS principal Amber Taylor describes Wiley as having a “tenacity to create something new and different to help every child in his classroom.”

“You are frustrated … YES! That means your brain is growing!”

“You could give up, but you have the persistence to keep trying!”

“Your way of thinking is totally making me think another way … you are a genius!”

These are just some of what you might hear if you were to take a stroll down Mr. Wiley’s hallway at SSMS where he leaves his students feeling empowered. Taylor describes, “No matter how difficult the task, Mr. Wiley has created a system that teaches students to deepen their understanding of a concept by forcing them to make connections to previous learning and then experiment with their new learning while reflecting the entire time.” Mr. Wiley has an ability to connect with middle school students and motivate them to take risks, learn from failure and persevere as math students and as learners. In addition, Mr. Wiley also serves as the basketball coach for the rural middle school where many students may be playing on a basketball team for the first time in their lives when they join SSMS basketball.

Mr. Wiley’s ability to empower students extends to his student-athletes. Taylor describes him as having a remarkable ability to offer corrective and positive feedback all while jumping with excitement, high-fiving players on the bench and telling them “I am so proud of you!” over and over again. “The growth he experiences with his team is remarkable” so much so that Taylor has received notes and compliments from parents of opposing teams applauding Mr. Wiley’s supportive nature and wishing they could have a Mr. Wiley in their child’s life. Last, but certainly not least, Mr. Wiley is also to be applauded for his ability to bring parents to the table of their child’s education.

He has helped parents understand the power of their words about learning and how it can impact a child’s success in the classroom. He also actively participates in Individualized Education Plans (IEP) by listening intently to the findings of a Special Education evaluation, identifying how a child’s brain is processing information and brainstorming interventions that will individually address the areas of concern. Taylor says that parents have cried happy tears after attending an IEP meeting with Mr. Wiley. She concludes, “I cannot think of anyone more deserving” for the NASB Innovative Educator of the Year award.

NASB School Administrator of the Year
To recognize invaluable service provided to Nevada’s children by professional school administrators.

Billiejo Hogan has “helped to raise the school to academic new heights” states LCSD Deputy Superintendent Tim Logan. Hogan states that none of it would be possible without the incredible staff she has behind her at EVES and she shows it. “She knows that the teachers are amazing and the lifeblood of the school.” She will keep their spirits high during the holidays with a cocoa cart, coffee, donuts and she showers them with an incredible pancake breakfast during Staff Appreciation Week.

Her staff and team of fearless educators at EVES have created a culture of excellence. EVES is a Title I school and despite the challenges her students and families may face outside of the classroom, her students and test scores at EVES are blazing the path year after year with academic growth. It should come as no surprise that her students’ attendance rate is also an incredible 93.3%. Hogan is an incredible leader with an incredible staff and incredible students. The students want to be there, and funny enough, their furry pets probably do to. Logan states, “Billiejo does many things that show her love for her job and those that she serves.”

Every morning at EVES you can expect to find Hogan at the curb waiting to greet every student (and every student’s pet). The furry friends have come to rely on the EVES principal who hands out doggie treats as she welcomes her students to another wonderful day of learning. Logan continues, “there isn’t anything … that she would ask another to do that she wouldn’t do herself.” It is every aspect and everything that Billiejo Hogan does for everyone at EVES that when “put altogether, … shows her true character as a leader of her school and community … she is very deserving of this honorable award,” concludes Logan.

NASB Superintendent of the Year
To recognize the consistent use and development of skills and programs focused on board-superintendent cooperation and teamwork to improve student achievement.

Four of Nevada’s school districts in addition to many peers who work closely with Wayne Workman all provided glowing recommendations recognizing Wayne Workman, LCSD Superintendent, as the individual most deserving for the recognition as the NASB Superintendent of the Year. It should come as no surprise then that this is Workman’s second recognition as the Superintendent of the Year as he was recognized a few months prior by the Nevada Association of School Superintendents (NASS) with the same award.

Workman, provided unparalleled leadership during the most unprecedented times. He was the NASS president when the COVID-19 pandemic’s effect reached Nevada and shutdown schools. His colleagues describe his leadership during this time as “instrumental, displaying great skill, nothing short of tremendous.” Workman led the team of 18 Nevada school district superintendents, acted as a liaison between this group and the Nevada Department of Education, the State Superintendent, the Governor and his office.

In addition, a large part of Workman’s nominations and awards can also be attributed to his “kids first” mentality. A few comments from his colleagues:

“Wayne has assembled a team committed to what is best for all students, staff, families and community members.” – Jim Gianotti, LCSD Director of Secondary Curriculum

“His servant leadership, willingness to listen and always to what is best for kids … he truly cares about people.” – Heather Moyle, LCSD Director of Elementary Curriculum

“The children are always the focus of his decisions. He is very student-centered, family oriented, and supportive of all staff.” – Marva Cleven, LCSD Director of Special Services

“Wayne is unwavering in his leadership to do what is right for everyone, especially our students and their education. He genuinely cares about our students, our families and our employees.” — Dawn Huckaby, LCSD Director of Human Resources.

Another colleague describes him as a “great combination – very intelligent, very articulate and very passionate about the well-being of all students … he cares about his District and K-12 students throughout the state … he just wants to do what is best for the schools.”

“He has been a Teacher, Athletic Director, Assistant Principal, Principal, Human Resources Director, Deputy Superintendent, Superintendent and most important, a father of 4 kids. This is the kind of leader I am thankful to work for as he has worn so many hats and can see things from so many different vantage points … I hear from him at least once a week telling people we are about kids and we are about families.” – Tim Logan, LCSD Deputy Superintendent

Additionally, Workman should also be applauded for embracing innovation and equipping himself with a team that he trusts to get the job done. “The best thing about working with Wayne is his willingness to trust you to do your job and the right thing,” explains Harman Bains, LCSD Director of Business Services. His LCSD Board also describes him as someone who “allows the individuals that work for him to bring forth exciting initiatives and supports them as they work together to improve Lyon County.” Gianotti adds, “Wayne … allows leaders to take risks and become cutting edge educators for all of our kids.”

It is clear through the vast amount of praise and recognition submitted by his peers in LCSD and throughout the state that Wayne Workman is deserving as the NASB Superintendent of the Year.

NASB Individual School Board Member of the Year
To recognize the consistent use and development of effective boardmanship skills over the course of more than two terms of service, productive involvement in raising the level of community support for schools and promotion of leadership programs focused on board-superintendent cooperation, boardmanship skills and teamwork to improve student achievement.

John Stevens of the Dayton community has been a pillar of excellence and knowledge during his tenure on the LCSD Board of Trustees. His fellow trustees describe him as having a vast bank of knowledge, a cooperative nature and a love for kids. During his twelve years on the LCSD board, he served as president multiple times and a board clerk. He always attends workshops, meetings and sets an example of what it means to be an active contributor to a community.

In addition to serving on the LCSD board, he has also dedicated his time to and served in leadership roles with both the Dayton Chamber of Commerce and the Dayton Kiwanis Club. Through all of these capacities, he is not only able to serve his greater Dayton community, but he is also able to continually serve the children of Lyon County.

Barbara Jones, LCSD Trustee for Silver Springs, describes John, “he is intelligent and an amazing logical thinker that sees things many miss.” Bridget Peterson, LCSD Trustee for Dayton, adds, “John isn't afraid to ask the hard questions and hold others accountable. He weighs both sides of issues that come before the board and makes thoughtful decisions. John is good natured and fun to work with. It is with a heavy heart that I watch him term out. He is my friend and mentor.”

John Stevens, Wayne Workman, Billiejo Hogan and Josh Wiley exemplify what LCSD is all about – this District is here for the excellence of kids and that excellence shines through with these incredible leaders.