Elizabeth Blank, a sixth-grade science teacher at Hastings Middle School who built a schoolwide farmers market involving nearly 300 students, is Upper Arlington Schools' 2026 District Teacher of the Year.
The district honored Blank and dozens of other staff members at its annual Convocation ceremony on Aug. 10, kicking off the 2026-27 school year under the theme "LIMITLESS," according to the district.
Blank's selection follows a string of recent honors. In summer 2025, she received the Arthur S. Holden Science Teacher Award of Excellence from the Martha Holden Jennings Foundation, a statewide honor that came with a $1,000 classroom grant. She also earned one of three 2026 Joanie Dugger Educator of the Year awards, which fund projects of the recipient's choice.
Building-level teachers of the year
Eight educators received building-level Teacher of the Year honors:
- Lori Lute, fourth grade, Barrington Elementary
- Lindsay Quinlan, lead teacher, Burbank Early Childhood School
- Heather Opel, fourth grade, Greensview Elementary
- Carey DeToto-Bryan, intervention specialist, Jones Middle School
- Sarah Williams, kindergarten, Tremont Elementary
- Michael Donelson, language arts, Upper Arlington High School
- Elsa Bertsch, intervention specialist, Wickliffe Progressive Elementary
- Britt Richey, physical education, Windermere Elementary
Donelson's recognition carried extra weight. The UAHS language arts teacher was also named a Joanie Dugger Educator of the Year and was among 34 staff members honored as retirees at the board's May 12 meeting. Three honors in his final months.
Classified and support staff
The district named Classified Employees of the Year in four divisions: Sarah Crommes (Nutritional Services), Misti Hartwig (Secretarial/Bookkeeping), John Strick (Transportation) and Kathy Rossetti (Operations). Sara Burger, a building technician in the Technology Department, was named Support Staff Employee of the Year.
Chief Academic Officer Jaclyn Angle received the Dr. Homer Mincy Administrator of the Year award.
Foundation-funded awards
The Joanie Dugger Educators of the Year Fund, now in its sixth year through the Upper Arlington Education Foundation, honors three educators annually (one from each school level) with project funding. The fund memorializes Joanie Dugger, the Foundation's longtime executive director. This year's recipients: Britt Richey (elementary), Elizabeth Blank (middle) and Michael Donelson (high school).
The Foundation also presented its second annual Amity Difference Maker awards, each carrying a $1,000 grant. UAHS senior Colson S. was recognized for his advocacy work on the Youth Advisory Council for the Ohio Suicide Prevention Foundation. A Barrington Elementary team of Katie Benton, Nicole Staker, Ashley Stechschulte and Kelli Wilcox earned the award for a yearlong project called "Meeting the Needs of Our Community."
Service milestones and leadership
Eleven staff members were recognized for 20 years of service and seven for 30 years. The Nancy Losekamp Career Development Leadership Award, which honors service-learning work, went to Bethany McFarland (Greensview Elementary), the middle school technology education team of Brad Barwick, Rob Niedermeyer, Brian Niekamp and Kristin Tope, and UAHS engineering teacher Aaron Hanselman.
The Upper Arlington Education Foundation's next educator grant application cycle opens with a Sept. 4 deadline.
