Six SPPS Educators Receive Saint Paul Retired Teachers Inc. Scholarships
In May, six tenured SPPS educators received 2026 scholarship awards from Saint Paul Retired Teachers Inc. The $3,000 scholarships my be used for graduate level courses toward an advanced degree or certification. This year's recipients are:
Stacey Bukovich, a 16-year dedicated Special Education teacher at Focus Beyond Transition Services, is seeking an additional Autism Licensure at Bethel University to gain more knowledge, strategies, tools and opportunities to help her students with autism better plan for their future and to be more independent in their adult living arrangements. Stacey says, “It is my job as an educator to be the best I can be so I can help my students be the best they can be.”
Naw Bu has been an "English learner my entire life, which is why I am so passionate to teach my ELL students” in the newly expanded Karen language and culture program at Wellstone. Naw was the first Karen elementary teacher in SPPS and has enjoyed teaching here for the past seven years. She is currently teaching first grade, helping students learn Karen and English at the same time. “It is incredible to see such young students developing two languages…growing into bilingual learners who will one day become leaders in our community.” She is working to complete her MA in ELL at the University of Minnesota.
John Horton, an award-winning Montessori teacher at Barack & Michelle Obama Montessori and 11-year veteran educator in SPPS, hopes his certification in the Fred Rogers Institute at St. Vincent College can help him "use these research-based principles that emphasize caring, compassion and joy to help his students learn and grow. As a Montessori teacher leader these elements are foundational to the work we do." John exemplifies these principles as an active volunteer and through his leadership in school and community action. “As an early educator, the work we do to build up our city begins with us."
Brooke Magill, a 28-year veteran teacher in SPPS, has contributed to students’ learning in a variety of ways, including as a PE teacher, coach, Positive Behavior Interventionist Coach, PLC lead, as well as many other school and community activities. A lifelong learner, he continues to grow and share new strategies and research with his peers and apply them to the students in his Health classes at Washington Technology Middle School. Brooke in working on his Ed.D. in Educational Leadership at St. Mary’s University in Minneapolis.
Juli Montgomery-Riess is the Lead Middle School Counselor in the Office of College and Career Readiness. She has worked in SPPS for the past four years, seeking to enhance strong relationships with her team members, using a variety of data points to foster collective efficacy. This led to improved attendance post-COVID through “closing the gap” planning and services for all demographic groups in 2022-2024. She is seeking a K-12 Principal Licensure through Mankato State University and aspires to enhance her understanding of student learning and instructional leadership through a racial equity lens in order to lead in SPPS as a culturally competent leader.
Katrina Cash has served as a Special Education teacher and PAR Coach for 14 years in Saint Paul Schools. Her passion for learning is matched only by her desire to positively impact students of all ability levels through providing equitable education and building positive relationships with students and families. As a PAR Coach, her supervisor says: “She has demonstrated leadership, insight, and a strong ability to collaborate across departments to improve teaching and learning outcomes for all learners.” Katrina will be applying her scholarship towards an Ed.D. in Educational Leadership at Concordia University in St Paul.