This year, weāre excited to celebrate the incredible team at Siloam Springs School District. Each week, weāll shine a spotlight on a member of our staff, showcasing what makes them an essential part of our mission to serve our students. Look out for our weekly āSILOAM SPOTLIGHTā feature ā itās going to be an amazing year, and youāll soon see why!
"Dixie is one of our district's most valuable resources. The amount of work and responsibilities that she can balance is impressive and she does it all with a smile and positive attitude. She is important to all of us, not only because she represents our district so well to the community, but also because of the support she gives us every day. The wealth of knowledge that Dixie holds regarding nearly every aspect of operations in the Siloam Springs school system should never be taken for granted. Dixie is an amazing coworker and an amazing friend to us all. She is also better than AAA when it comes to roadside assistance and backyard mechanic questions!" - Holly Marion, Guest Teacher Supervisor/Frontline Administrator
"Dixie truly has a servant's heart. She goes above and beyond to help out wherever she can. Anytime there is a function at the Administration Office, you can bet that she is helping with it and making sure everything is perfect. She is a wealth of information and helps everyone with a smile on her face when they come through our doors. She's done so much for me personally (at work and away from work), there's no way to thank her enough. I could call her day or night and I know, without hesitation, she would be there for me. She's such a blessing, I absolutely love her. :)" - Staci Branson, Personnel Specialist
"Dixie is always willing to help and even looks for ways to help. When someone is having a special occasion or is sick she is the first to get a card started around the office. She is like the momma of our department, loving, compassionate, comforting, and nurturing. She is very quick to bring up a positive thought when things get chaotic and messy around the office. Her acts of kindness aren't just given freely to the school district but to the community as a whole. She has been a member of the Civitan club for years. She is active in her church and is always helping with different events. She is the most giving and caring person. The school district is blessed to have her!" - Teresa Self, District Treasurer
"Dixie was the first person that I met when I walked in the door at Siloam Springs for my interview. I knew right then and there that this place was going to be special if they had someone so welcoming to the district at the front door. She sets the tone every day with her positive attitude, kind demeanor, and servant's heart. I feel so blessed to get to work with her daily. Simply put, Dixie Shoptaw is a winner and an example of how we all should live our life!" - Jared Schoonover, HR Director
"When thinking about Mr. Schultz, students first comes to mind. Whether it be helping them inside the classroom with work or maybe a listening ear. He strives to build the best relationships with every student he encounters. Not just the ones in his class but all student through out the building. He actively engages with all students. You can always count on him for a fist bump and a smiling face. He is the essence of our districts focus on putting students first. He is a blessing to our district." - Danielle Gunter, Special Education Teacher
"Mr. Schultz is an irreplaceable teammate who brings so much positive energy to the classroom. The students love him and his 'dad jokes'. We are blessed to have him at SSIS!" - Bentley Brown, 6th Grade Teacher
"Caleb brings a positive attitude and joy to work no matter the circumstances. He is truly a leader who is passionate about student learning. He goes above and beyond to ensure his students are learning and growing academically and in life. He is willing to take on new challenges and gives 110% to the Siloam Springs School District." - SSIS Admin Team
"Jade has been an integral part of serving our students here at Allen Elementary. She eats breakfast with several students each morning to get their day started correctly. She responds to our children who have the highest emotional/mental health needs within the classroom. She is constantly working with students to build coping strategies and relationship skills. She has positive interactions with parents and is always an advocate of our students. You might think that she does exactly what a counselor should do, but it is far more than that. Jade does it in the most caring, empathetic, compassionate way possible. She is committed to teaching students to become the best version of themselves. Simply put, Allen Elementary would not be the same place without her." - Dennis Yocham, Assistant Principal
"Mrs. Stills makes the students and staff well-being a top priority, she learns about individual students' needs to help them cope throughout the day. She changes life for the better , one day at a time. She genuinely cares about the students and works tirelessly to ensure they can learn coping tools at school and at home. " -Lisa Henderson, Student & Family Outreach Coordinator
"I'm going to start with Allen Counselor - Jade Stills. Mrs. Stills starts each morning with "breakfast club" where all our little friends who struggle to part from Mom and Dad or who just aren't quite ready to start the day pile into comfy chairs and bean bags and enjoy a relaxing upbeat start to the day. The rest of the day Mrs. Stills can be found helping students build confidence or learn how to calm their bodies when they feel overwhelmed. She is always smiling no matter the challenge. Her heart for kids is evident all day everyday. Allen could not function without her!" - Natalie Hutto, Principal
"Jade is a true gift to the students of Allen. Her kindness and dedication ensure that every student she helps feels cared for. Whenever I refer a student to her, she comes quickly, and the difference she makes is immediate. Students return to class calmer, ready to learn, and excited to see her again. They even ask to go back because they love being around her so much. In all cases with my students, going to see her has been exactly what they needed. Many of our students who tend to struggle more will eat breakfast in her office to get ready for the day ahead. So grateful to have her in our building serving these kids, she is a blessing!" - Abby Carter, 2nd Grade Teacher
"We are so thankful to have Ryan at SSHS. He works hard to keep our school looking great and is always ready to lend a hand whenever needed. We appreciate everything he does for our district." - Michael Robertson, Assistant Principal
"Ryan does an outstanding job for us. He puts in extra hours. He goes above and beyond the call of duty. He has a huge job taking care of our stadium and sports complex. He is very dependable and I do not know what we would do without him. Bottom line Ryan is a difference maker with a servant's heart!" - Jeff Williams, Athletic Director
"Ryan has a huge servant's heart! He takes pride in his work and our place reaps the benefits of the job he does every single day. Ryan is a winner when it comes to serving our students and our athletic complex. The thing I love about Ryan is he is always working and always focused on doing things the right way!" -Doug Loughridge, Head Football Coach
"In his capacity as an athletic custodian, his duties encompass the maintenance and cleanliness of the field house, stadium, and the newly established Panther Sports Complex (PSC). Additionally, he volunteers to support various sporting events held within these venues. During the summer months, he participates in the painting crew. He is committed to ensuring that locker rooms and athletic facilities are maintained in a clean and orderly condition for both students and coaches." -Randall Bollinger, Maintenance Director