On the Spot SDOW will highlight, at random, two employees a month from Certified Staff and Support Staff from the School District of Washington. The purpose is to recognize and acknowledge the outstanding professionals we have in our District who are leading the way for our students.
This issue’s On the Spot SDOW recipients are Monica Nadler and Julie Holdmeier.
Nadler is a third-grade teacher at South Point Elementary. Holdmeier is the activities secretary at Washington High School.
See the profiles of each On the Spot SDOW recipient below.
Monica Nadler
Monica Nadler
Monica Nadler with her third-grade students at South Point Elementary.
Monica Nadler is a third-grade teacher at South Point Elementary. She’s been with the SDOW for six years and in education for 16 years after teaching third grade at the St. Clair R-XIII School District for 10 years. She grew up in the Krakow area and is a graduate of St. Francis Borgia High School. She has a Bachelor’s Degree in Education from Southeast Missouri State University and a Master’s Degree from William Woods University. Monica and her husband Colby have been married for 10 years. They have two children, Levi (9 years old) and Avery (7 years old).
“Monica is centered on kindness and building relationships with her students and colleagues. She is a leader on her team and is always supportive of her teammates. She’s gone above and beyond this year to ensure that all third-grade students are being taught at high levels by stepping in to help her teammates and supporting substitutes during the first quarter,” said South Point Elementary Principal Aimee Harty. “Monica spends her days teaching and re-teaching students to ensure they meet with success. She shows extreme patience and genuinely enjoys working with her students. Laughter can be heard from her classroom daily. We want Monica to know that we recognize the extra effort she put in during the first quarter and each day to meet the needs of everyone around her.”
How would you describe yourself as a person?
“I’m a team player. I’m caring and compassionate. I think about others and their well-being.”
Describe your job duties
“Helping kids succeed and feel successful. I want to teach them the academics and for them to have fun while they're doing it.”
Best part about your job?
“The kids, and their hugs, and when they finally get something that maybe they’ve been struggling with, to see their faces when they reach that accomplishment.”
What would you like other staff members and parents in the district to know about working at South Point Elementary?
“The students are our top priority. We love them and we do everything we can for them. We’re a family. We take care of each other.”
What’s it like working at the new South Point Elementary building?
“It’s a beautiful building. I’m thankful the voters approved it because these kids deserve a safe, healthy place to learn. It’s a beautiful space. We’re really lucky.”
Hobbies
“Four-wheeling. Camping. Boating.”
What’s your favorite time of the school year?
“I like the beginning because the kids are always so excited to come in and meet each other and see who’s in their class. They’re ready to meet their teacher and get started.”
If you could have dinner with anyone, living or dead, who would it be?
“My mom passed away almost five years ago. I would love to have another dinner with her and soak up every moment.”
What cheers you up?
“My kids. My family and my friends.”
At which store would you like to max out your credit card?
“I need to think of somewhere that has everything that I want. It’s got to have it all. I’ll say Target. They have a wide variety of things; camping gear, groceries, clothes.”
What’s the No. 1 thing on your bucket list?
“Visit Australia. I want to go to Sydney. I’ve been to other countries in Europe, so I'd like to go somewhere different.”
If you could choose to stay a certain age forever, what age would it be?
“The age I am now. If I were younger, I wouldn’t know the joy of being a mom and having a family. I’m still young enough to have a little fun and I’m healthy.”
How long could you go without having your cell phone?
“I lose my cell phone every day, so I’m used to not having it. I can probably just go a day without it.”
Mountain Hideaway or Beach House?
“Beach House.”
What does a perfect day look like for you?
“A perfect day is my kids waking up and not fighting with each other. If it’s a work day, just feeling like I helped my students succeed and feeling good about the lessons that we had for the day. If it’s not a work day, a perfect day would be in the summer with all of my friends on the river.”
Julie Holdmeier
Julie Holdmeier
Julie Holdmeier
Julie Holdmeier is the Activities Secretary at Washington High School, working with Activities Director Bill Deckelman. Activities at the high school and the middle school run through their office. She has been with the School District of Washington for four years. This is her first year in the Activities Office. She spent the previous three years in the main office at WHS.
Holdmeier grew up in Washington and is a WHS graduate. She went on to attend East Central College. Julie and her husband, Justin, also a WHS graduate, were high school sweethearts. They have three children who are future WHS Blue Jays, Andrew (11 years old), Aubrey (8 years old) and Austin (6 years old).
“Julie is new to that position and has embraced it. She’s brought a lot of positive energy,” said Washington High School Principal Dr. Kelle McCallum. “Julie and Bill work very well together and make a great team. She loves the Blue Jays and it shows.”
How would you describe yourself as a person?
“I would say I’m pretty laid back. I try not to let things rattle my cage or worry too much because worrying doesn’t solve anything. I’m an optimistic person.”
Describe your job duties
“Sometimes I feel like a squirrel going every which way because at one moment we can be focused on one thing and the next moment it can be something completely different. At this point, a lot of time is focused on our transportation being covered, but there are just a lot of things with high school and middle school activities. There’s a lot of scheduling of transportation, gate workers, gyms and fields for people who want to use those facilities. I also manage the spirit store. We handle registration for students who play sports. There’s a lot going on. Bill does a great job. I enjoy working with him.”
Best part about your job?
“The people I work with. Everyone here loves what they do. Coming to work is fun. It doesn’t feel like a job all the time.”
What would you like other staff members and parents in the district to know about working at Washington High School?
“Everyone here wants to make this the best experience for each student’s four years here. We’re always willing to do the extra work to make things possible for the kids.”
Hobbies
“I help out with dance. I got involved with dance when I was 8 or 9, and I’m still involved by helping at a local studio. Running three kids around takes up the rest of my time.”
What’s your favorite time of the school year?
“I love the fall with homecoming week, football season, and all of the excitement that goes with it. I love Christmas time around here too. The staff does a Secret Santa exchange every year that’s always a lot of fun. We have a good time with that.”
If you could have dinner with anyone, living or dead, who would it be?
“My Godfather. He passed away when I was really young and I don’t really remember him. I’d like to meet him.”
What cheers you up?
“My kids. They’re goofy. They like to make me laugh.”
At which store would you like to max out your credit card?
“Oh my goodness, that’s a tough question. Probably Target. They have just a little bit of everything.”
What’s the No. 1 thing on your bucket list?
“I’ve never been skiing. I’d love to go to Colorado and ski. I love the mountains.”
If you could choose to stay a certain age forever, what age would it be?
“I think around 28. That was 10 years ago and I feel like I had a lot more energy back then and my memory was better. It’s not terrible, but I’ve noticed a difference.”
How long could you go without having your cell phone?
“I hate how dependent we are with cell phones. I would love if they nearly didn’t exist. If people didn’t need to contact me by cell, I could go a long time. I guess in today’s age, they are necessary.”
Mountain Hideaway or Beach House?
“That’s tough. I love the mountains and the water. I’m going with the beach house. I’m a big fan of the water.”
What does a perfect day look like for you?
“I love the summer, but I also love the winter with a foot-and-a-half of snow. I love playing in the snow with my kids. My husband loves it too. We all love it. I pray that when we get snow days, we’re getting 12 inches or more of snow. Sledding all afternoon with my kids and my husband, pulling sleds with the four-wheeler, that’s my kind of day.”