The Partnership Plan honors eight teachers and staff with Partnership Awards this year!
The Partnership Plan recently surprised eight outstanding teachers and staff with a Partnership Award.
Natasha Thorager- Lake Elmo and Rutherford Elementary
Dawn Mitchell- Brookview Elementary
Megan Holroyd- Rutherford Elementary
Andrew Olson- Stillwater Middle School
Matthew Fosse- Stillwater Middle School
Katelyn Sawatzke- Stillwater Area High School
Bob Manning- Stillwater Area High School
Sherrie Meyer- Stillwater Area High School
The Partnership Awards, established in 2008, recognize exceptional educators and staff in the Stillwater Area Public School district for their dedication, professionalism, and commitment to students. Each year, the Partnership Plan honors eight outstanding individuals across the district. The recipients are nominated by co-workers, community members, parents, and students. A review panel of community members scores each nomination.
Recently, the recipients were surprised in their schools with the news that they were being honored. In addition to the award, each recipient designates a $1,000 award from The Partnership Plan to the school of their choice.
These amazing individuals will be celebrated at The Partnership Party.
PARTNERSHIP PARTY
Wednesday, May 7, 2025
5:30-8:30 pm
Rustic Roots Winery
$25 PER PERSON
We hope you'll join us in honoring these amazing teachers and staff.
Meet this year’s honorees:
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For over 20 years, Natasha Thorager has tirelessly championed books for young Ponies. Thousands of students have felt her care through her welcoming libraries and initiatives, from virtual read-alouds during COVID to in-person author visits. It’s not unusual to meet her former or current students and hear, “Ooh! Mrs. Thorager! I love her!” Her strength comes from her ability to connect every reader with a book that speaks to them.
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For the past 18 years, Mrs. Holroyd has been more than just a teacher - she's a mentor, role model, and champion of music education. She pours her heart into sharing her love of music with every student- working tirelessly to ensure all students feel a deep sense of belonging, both in her classroom and the broader school community. Whether staying late to answer questions, encouraging instrument exploration, or cultivating a welcoming environment, Mrs. Holroyd goes above and beyond to support and empower her students on their musical journeys.
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First nominated last year, Ms. Mitchell’s impact is so strong that her team resubmitted her nomination with even more praise—and this year, she’s receiving the recognition she deserves. Described as caring, collaborative, creative, and supportive, she’s a vital part of the Brookview community.
From leading a school-wide kindness campaign to securing snack donations so students can focus on learning, her compassion shines through. Ms. Mitchell brings warmth, integrity, and a gentle strength to every challenge.
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As two-time nominee, Mr. Olson is known for always stepping up—whether he’s fixing ping pong tables, performing rock wall safety checks, organizing a 5K, or even diving into the pool (literally) to fix a drain. His creativity and dedication go far beyond the job description.
With 32 years in Stillwater Area Public Schools, Andy has left a lasting mark. His passion, innovation, and tireless commitment to students and staff make him a true inspiration.
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Described by 14 nominators as fun and full of laughter, Mr. Fosse is a joyful presence at SMS. But it’s his dedication to his students that truly makes him stand out. From the small things he does every day- like playing music in his class or giving up his lunch hour to hang with students and play board games- to the big things- like spending hours putting together the SMS News or organizing a school-wide clothing drive, Mr. Fosse is constantly striving to do new things and make SMS a better place to learn and grow.
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Katelyn Sawatzke first came to SAHS as a student and now serves as a beloved and respected Choir teacher. Nominated for the prestigious Partnership Award by 16 of her students and her teaching partner, she stands out for her creativity, infectious love of music, and innovative teaching methods. Her passion and commitment to excellence for both herself and her students inspire everyone around her, making her truly deserving of this recognition.
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For 31 years, Bob Manning has been a dedicated educator in Stillwater Area Public Schools, first as a beloved teacher and now as the Career Pathways Coordinator. His commitment to student success is evident in his tireless work building strong partnerships with businesses and organizations, which have been key to the Pathways Program's success. Bob personally connects with students, offering tailored guidance to help them succeed after high school, all while working in the community to open doors for new opportunities for both students and local businesses.
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Sherrie Meyer has spent 24 years as a Paraprofessional at Stillwater Area High School, making a profound impact on students, staff, and families. Nominated for this award by the entire SAHS center-based special-ed team, Sherrie is known for wearing many hats—coach, cheerleader, nurse, personal care attendant, interpreter, friend, and crafter. She goes above and beyond to support her students, learning new techniques like sign language and assistive technology to help non-verbal students meet their IEP goals. Sherrie’s passion, compassion, and dedication make her an invaluable part of the school community.