Awards for Excellence

2025-26 Awards For Excellence

Thank You For Your Nominations! 

Nominations are now closed, and we want to thank everyone who took the time to nominate an outstanding colleague who exemplifies one or more of the values in our Standards of Excellence and advances the mission of Mapleton Public Schools.

As we elevate our Awards for Excellence to align with Mapleton’s Standards of Excellence, we simplified this year’s nomination essay to one powerful question:

In what ways does this person bring Mapleton’s Standards of Excellence to life?

We asked staff to share a story that captures their nominee’s impact — a story, example, moment, habit, or action that demonstrates one or more of our shared values.

 High Expectations, Authenticity, Belonging, Integrity, Equity

Employee nominations were sepreated into three categories:

• Classified Employee of the Year (Paraprofessionals, Custodians, Transportation employees, Nutrition Services employees, Central Admin employees, etc.)
• Licensed Employee of the Year (teachers, any licensed staff)
• Administrator of the Year (school principal, assistant principal, department director)

In Mapleton Public Schools, excellence is both our goal and our standard. From the choices we make to the relationships we build and the values we uphold, our shared commitment to excellence is guided by our mission to ensure every student achieves their dreams.

To honor and celebrate the excellence that defines our work, we have reimagined our Awards for Excellence event with a renewed focus on Mapleton’s Standards of Excellence. Introduced last year, these standards reflect the shared values that guide how we lead, learn, and serve. Our five core values—High Expectations, Authenticity, Belonging, Integrity, and Equity—represent the heart of who we are and who we aspire to be.

We’re also excited to share that this year’s judging panel will include students, bringing new perspectives to the selection process.

In past years, all Awards for Excellence nominees received a complimentary ticket for themselves and a guest to attend the dinner and celebration. As we continue to elevate and refine the Awards for Excellence experience, we will be moving away from that tradition.

This year, nominations will be reviewed and scored by last year’s Award for Excellence recipients and members of the Superintendent’s Student Advisory group. Based on those scores, the top ten nominees in each category will receive complimentary dinner tickets for themselves and a guest as a way to recognize and honor their outstanding contributions.

All nominees are encouraged to attend and celebrate the evening together. The ticket price will remain $25 per person, and we hope everyone will join us in honoring excellence across Mapleton.