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snpfundraiser
DCSD Angel Account Fundraiser was a huge success!
Hailey Sebahar

Thanks to our incredible community and business vendors, we raised $4,260.91 to support students in need.

Special thanks to Mike Downs and Danny Barnes for organizing the event, and to our generous sponsors: Wienerschnitzel’s, Grandpa Archie’s Ice Cream, Crystal Dairy, Tahoe Creamery, and Nozzleman Pizza.

We’re so grateful for the outpouring of support—it wouldn’t have been possible without our dedicated DCSD staff who volunteered their time to make this event a success.

One hundred percent of the proceeds will go directly toward funding Angel Accounts, helping to ensure every DCSD student has access to meals.

Thank you, Douglas County!

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Recognizing Nationally Certified Educators Across DCSD
Recognizing Nationally Certified Educators Across DCSD
Hailey Sebahar

At DCSD, we are proud to recognize and celebrate the educators and specialists who have earned national certification—an accomplishment that reflects exceptional expertise, dedication to students, and a commitment to professional growth.

These nationally recognized credentials span across multiple roles in education, including:

  • National Board Certified Teachers (NBCT) – Awarded through the National Board for Professional Teaching Standards, this certification is earned through a rigorous multi-year process of assessment, video analysis, and reflective practice.

  • National Board Certified Counselors (NBCC) – A credential that ensures school counselors have met the highest standards in counseling knowledge and ethical practice.

  • American Speech-Language-Hearing Association (ASHA) Certification – Recognized by the Certificate of Clinical Competence (CCC), this designation is earned by speech-language pathologists who demonstrate advanced skills and clinical excellence.

  • Nationally Certified School Psychologists (NCSP) – A professional designation earned by school psychologists who meet national standards for training, ethics, and effectiveness in supporting student mental health and learning.

These certifications are earned through a rigorous process that often spans several years, requiring educators to demonstrate their knowledge, skills, and impact on student learning and well-being. Certified professionals must submit portfolios, pass exams, participate in clinical evaluations, and engage in ongoing reflection and improvement.

We’re proud to recognize the following staff members who have achieved at least one of these national certifications:

Douglas County School District Nationally Certified Educators

  • Sasha N. Larsen
  • Kara Maricich
  • Jennifer Raschilla
  • Christen Wilcks
  • Michael E. Arraiz
  • Janae Ballingham
  • Reggell Bertolone
  • Brandi M. Bray-Torres
  • Alycia R. Burton
  • Heather M. Daniels
  • Elida C. Diaz
  • Kathryn Emm
  • Ashley Goering
  • Sheryl Grove
  • Lauren C. Hayes-Spires
  • Jeremy Hight
  • Amy Horonzy
  • Jacqueline M. Hostler
  • Sara Jacobsen
  • Christine E. Jezek
  • Darcy McInnis
  • Tracie M. Moultrup
  • Ethan T. Petite
  • Juan Quijas
  • Kathleen Sherbon
  • Carly Smyth
  • Carly K. Strauss
  • Robin Tinius
  • Shaunda Vasey
  • Wiebke Willis
  • Kira S. Brown
  • Amy Jackson
  • Anneliese Peters
  • Anita E. Swearingen


Are you interested in learning more about the certification process or joining the Northern Nevada NBCT Cohort? Contact Jaime Whisler at jawhisler@washoeschools.net.

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  • BOARD
Meet Olive Hamner-Jillson, this semester’s Student Representative!
Hailey Sebahar

Meet Olive Hamner-Jillson, a 12th grader at Whittell High School and National Merit Finalist, who is excited to shine a spotlight on the lake schools and foster a stronger connection across the district as the new Student Representative on the Board of Trustees. Read Olive's Q&A

1. What inspired you to apply for the student representative position on the Board of Trustees? I was inspired to apply for the student representative position on the Board of Trustees because I wanted to get involved in our local government and improving our school district. 

2. How do you hope to represent the student body of Whittell High School?  I plan on representing the student body of Whittell High School by bringing attention to the amazing staff and students of the lake schools. I also hope to unite the school district for a cohesive learning environment. 

3.  What are some challenges or issues you think are important for the Board to address? I think it is important to give equal opportunities to all members of the schools in the district and I would love to share this important challenge with the Board to address. 

4. What do you enjoy most about being a senior at Whittell High School? My favorite part of being a senior at Whittell High School this year is all the amazing and challenging classes I have the opportunity to take.

5. What are your goals after high school? After high school I will be attending Dartmouth College to major in biomedical engineering on the pre-med track with the hope of going to medical school and becoming a doctor one day. 

6. Who was your favorite teacher or mentor growing up, and why? I appreciate all of my amazing teachers at Whittell but I especially want to thank my government teacher Mr. Hight for encouraging me to become a student representative.

7. How do you stay involved in school activities? I am a member of many clubs and activities at Whittell. I am on the girls golf team, the academic team, and the president of National Honor Society and Key Club at Whittell. 

8. What advice would you give to younger students looking to get involved in leadership? My best piece of advice would be to not be afraid of getting involved in leadership and putting yourself out there. I have always been quiet so this has been hard for me. 

9. What are your favorite local spots in the community? I love going to the local beaches and getting bagels at Tahoe Bagel!

10. What do you enjoy doing in your free time? I love playing golf at Edgewood, dancing and going to concerts.

11. What’s a hidden talent you have that most people don’t know about? Not only am I a great dancer, but I can baton twirl and have been twirling for 8 years now. 

12. If you could travel anywhere in the world, where would you go? If I could travel anywhere in the world I would travel to Antartica to see the glaciers and penguins. 

13. What’s something on your bucket list that you’re excited to accomplish?  One thing on my bucket list that I am excited to accomplish is traveling as much as I can. 

14. If you could instantly learn any skill, what would it be? If I could instantly learn any skill it would be doing a backflip on skis.

15. What do you think makes Douglas County schools special? I think that the close knit community with our amazing teachers and staff makes the Douglas County schools extra special.  

 

 

  • CONNECT
  • WHS
MLC-winners-2025
DCSD Shines at the 2025 Modern Learning Conference
Hailey Sebahar

The Modern Learning Conference took place this Monday and Tuesday, and it was a great success!

Read the Record Courier Article

Watch the Award Nomination Videos

Along with celebrating our incredible educators, Douglas County School District was honored with the Infinity Award for our work and implementation of the Portrait of a Learner, and Jacks Valley Elementary School received the Innovation Award for their Explorations program.

Read the Record Courier Article

Watch the Award Nomination Videos
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  • BOARD
Board Trustee Spotlight: David Burns
Hailey Sebahar

View David's Trustee Spotlight

1. How long have you been involved with Douglas County School District? 3 years.

2. What motivated you to run for the Board of Trustees? With declining enrollment, truancy at a high rate and State testing scores in a decline and the need of more parental control of their children and my wife as a retired teacher, I hoped to help the district turn things around for the goal of students graduating, to be more successful in their lives.

3. What’s your favorite part about serving as a Trustee? Meeting and working with a great district staff and the best teachers and overall employees dedication to the success of students.

4. What is your favorite memory or experience with Douglas County schools?

Working with our outstanding new Superintendent and office staff.

5. Where did you grow up, and where did you go to school? I grew up in Western Michigan, lower Peninsula and spent all my years in Holton public schools in Muskegon County.

6. Who was your favorite teacher or mentor growing up, and why? Mr. Griener! He displayed and required honesty and integrity and self discipline from all his students. All his classes were electives and they were always full.

7. What is your vision for Douglas County School District? To return to being the educational lighthouse of the state and add professional trade school classes and opportunities as alternatives to college.

8. How do you stay connected with the schools in the district? Mostly with and through our Superintendent and his staff and listening to our teachers, principles and classified employees and students. The trustees job is to create policies and direction of our education system for our schools. We operate as a group of trustees, not to micromanage the schools but to work hand in hand with our Superintendent.

9. What are your favorite local spots in the community? Our church is our most favorite place to fellowship with wonderful loving people. Food is always a favorite, especially when eating with our friends.

10. What do you enjoy doing in your free time? Travel and camping. My wife and I and our 4 legged children love to travel and meet new people.

11. What’s a hidden talent you have that most people don’t know about? I to encourage and help young people and build them up in who they are and what they can be. My wife says I have the gift to gab but i think every one knows that.

12. If you could travel anywhere in the world, where would you go? Back to Canada and Alaska by means of cruise ship.

13. What’s something on your bucket list that you’re excited to accomplish? I have been to most every state in the union and i would like to complete seeing the rest.

14. If you could instantly learn any skill, what would it be? Typing, in todays world it is becoming more important.

15. What’s your go-to karaoke song? None....you dont want to hear that, nobody does....lol.

16. What do you think makes Douglas County schools special? Our unique communities. We have an amazing blend of different backgrounds and that shows in our schools. The one thing and most importantly is our amazing employees.