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Celebrating Our Embrace, Empower, Inspire Award Winners

Please join us in celebrating this month’s Embrace, Empower, Inspire Award winners! These outstanding staff members were nominated by students, colleagues and community members for the meaningful ways they go above and beyond to support our students and school community.

Their dedication, kindness and willingness to help others make a lasting difference in the lives of those around them. We are proud to recognize the following members of the Hilliard City Schools team.

Stacey Zawisa, J.W. Reason Elementary School Teacher, has made a lasting impression on generations of students and families through her kindness, attentiveness and dedication to teaching. One parent shared how thrilled they were to learn she would be their daughter’s first-grade teacher, describing her as the kindest teacher they had ever met.

Even after years in the classroom, she continues to bring the same warmth, patience and enthusiasm to her work. Her nominator noted that she is just as wonderful today as she was 20 years ago, demonstrating the lasting impact of a teacher who consistently makes students and families feel cared for and supported.

Adam Story, Project Manager/Application Developer has been called a Superhero that lives among us every day, even though he doesn’t wear a cape. As a project manager and application developer, Adam regularly helps colleagues across the district navigate software challenges and technology roadblocks. During the recent rollout of Imagine+ Math, his nominator frequently turned to Adam for help. No matter how many requests he is managing,

Adam responds promptly, patiently and professionally, staying with each issue until it is resolved so teachers can focus on their students.

Know someone who goes above and beyond? Click here to nominate a staff member who makes a meaningful difference in the lives of our students and school community.

Posted on: November 10, 2026