2026 Impact Award Winners

As the school year comes to a close, ESS is proud to announce the winners of our 12th Annual Impact Awards! Established in 2014, the Impact Award recognizes employees who demonstrate exceptional work frequency, receive positive feedback from our partner school districts, and consistently exceed the expectations of their roles.

This year, we honored five individuals who make an impact on the schools they serve every day. With a positive attitude, they consistently perform above and beyond their assigned duties. The 2026 honorees were each recognized at their school districts, where they received a $5,000 cash prize, a $2,000 donation to a school of their choice, and a crystal apple trophy. 

Without further ado, here are this year’s winners (in no particular order):

Chris Delph
Guy-Perkins School District, AR

Chris has been a substitute with ESS since the beginning of 2025. Since joining ESS, he has filled over 150 absences. He primarily serves at Guy-Perkins Elementary School, part of Guy-Perkins School District, as a substitute teacher and paraprofessional. He decided to honor the school by selecting them to receive the $2,000 donation check.

Tim Barnes, Principal of Guy-Perkins High School, shared the following:

“Mr. Delph is a true example of being a professional aide. His schedule can vary from day to day, and he does whatever we need him to do. He works with children with special needs, does cafeteria duty, and facilitates our in-school suspension. He welcomes the elementary students to school every day in our car rider line. He absolutely goes above and beyond the call of duty, with a huge smile and laugh. I couldn’t ask for a better person.

He especially works with one of our students with behavioral issues. His calm presence and voice make it easier for that student to regulate himself and return to the classroom. It is amazing to watch him work with this student. If you didn’t know it, you would think he had been teaching and working with students for many years. All of our students, elementary and high school, respect Mr. Delph.

This type of recognition is something he would not pursue, but he sets a great example for teachers, principals, and most importantly, the students at Guy-Perkins.”

 

Lisa Kelly
School District of Philadelphia, PA

Since joining ESS in 2023, Lisa has filled over 500 assignments all within the School District of Philadelphia.

“Lisa Kelly is a central force within any school community. When she steps into a building, she brings a sense of energy and positivity that inspires students to engage deeply in learning while still enjoying the process. She embraces challenges and encourages others to do the same, never allowing students or colleagues to settle for the easy path. Instead, she holds everyone to high standards—both academically and personally.

Lisa is also generous with her expertise, consistently supporting her colleagues and helping them grow in their roles. In doing so, she strengthens the entire school community. She truly embodies what it means to make a lasting impact within the School District of Philadelphia.”

 

Melanie Serafin
Union County Public Schools, NC

Melanie has been a substitute with ESS since 2023. Since joining ESS, she has filled over 500 absences. She primarily serves at Weddington Elementary School, part of Union County Public Schools, as a substitute teacher. She decided to honor the school by selecting them to receive the $2,000 donation check.

Fara Orr, Bookkeeper at Weddington Elementary School, shared the following:

“Ms. Serafin is an indispensable pillar of our school community. Serving in a long-term capacity, she consistently goes above and beyond the standard expectations of a substitute educator. She has been a particular blessing to our EC department, providing the specialized support and stability our students need most. Beyond her classroom presence, Ms. Serafin demonstrated exceptional leadership by coordinating a coverage calendar and recruiting additional substitutes during a critical vacancy period. Her punctuality, initiative, and ‘team-first’ attitude have eliminated the stress of last-minute scrambling, allowing our staff to focus on instruction. We are incredibly fortunate to have her heart and her talents dedicated to our students.”

 

Ana Ringhofer
Frisco Independent School District, TX

Ana has been a substitute with ESS since 2019. Since joining ESS, she has filled over 500 absences. She primarily serves at Corbell Elementary School, part of Frisco Independent School District, as a substitute teacher. She decided to honor the school by selecting them to receive the $2,000 donation check.

Michelle Garcia, Secretary of Corbell Elementary School, shared the following:

“Ana has served as a substitute at several of our schools across the district and has been a dedicated member of our community since our doors opened in 2006. Throughout the years, she has been a consistent PTA member, substitute, and aide, always showing her commitment to supporting both staff and students.

Ana is a tried-and-true substitute who is incredibly dependable, committed, and always willing to step in wherever help is needed. Even during free periods, she often volunteers to assist in other classrooms or support staff in any way she can.

Since the beginning, Ana has substituted for every grade level and worked with every team, which speaks to both her flexibility and her willingness to serve wherever she is needed most. She truly enjoys staying busy and building meaningful connections with students.

Because of her flexibility and dedication, Ana gets to know both the staff and the students year after year, making her a valued and familiar presence on our campus. We are incredibly thankful for her continued commitment and the positive impact she has on our school community.

Ana is an outstanding candidate for this nomination, and we are so grateful for everything she does for our students and staff. I sincerely hope she is recognized for the many ways she contributes to our campus.”

 

Gabrielle Rogers
David Douglas School District, OR

Gabrielle has been a substitute with ESS since 2021. Since joining ESS, she has filled over 800 absences. She primarily serves at Alice Ott Middle School, part of David Douglas School District, as a substitute teacher. She decided to honor the school by selecting them to receive the $2,000 donation check.

Amber Cowgill, Principal of Ron Russell Middle School, shared the following:

“It is my absolute pleasure to recommend Gabby Rogers for Substitute of the Year. Gabby exemplifies what it means to be a dedicated, professional, and compassionate educator. She is hardworking, reliable, and consistently goes above and beyond in every assignment she accepts.

As a long-term substitute in multiple positions, Gabby does far more than simply “fill in.” She dives directly into the content, quickly mastering the curriculum and grade-level expectations to ensure instructional continuity for students. Her ability to step into a classroom and maintain academic momentum is truly impressive. She approaches each role with preparation, confidence, and a strong commitment to student success.

One of Gabby’s greatest strengths is her classroom management. She balances high expectations with genuine care and respect for her students. She establishes clear routines and maintains structure, while also building positive relationships that make students feel supported and valued. It is remarkable how quickly she gets to know her students and creates a productive, welcoming learning environment.

Gabby’s flexibility, professionalism, and unwavering dedication make her an invaluable asset to our school community. She does not simply meet expectations—she exceeds them. Her consistency, strong work ethic, and heart for students make her exceptionally deserving of the honor of Substitute of the Year.

I wholeheartedly support Gabby Rogers for this recognition and am confident she will continue to make a meaningful impact wherever she serves.”

 

 

Congratulations to all of our 2026 Impact Award Honorees
Keep up the great work!