Yonkers and Miller Honored with Oak Tree Award

Congratulations to the 2025 Oak Tree Award winners for excellence in teaching: Rachel Yonkers and Sage Miller!

Rachel, a dedicated fifth-grade teacher at Plank Road South Elementary School, has been named the elementary honoree. She has taught in Webster for 22 years and has also been a Ridge Runner coach for nine years.

Sage, an inspiring math and computer science teacher at Webster Schroeder High School, is recognized at the secondary level. She is a 20-year veteran educator in the district and taught for eight years in Greece prior to coming to Webster.

On April 28, Yonkers and Miller were each surprised with the award in their classrooms, surrounded by representatives from the WTA and PTSA, their families, and fellow colleagues. As this year’s Oak Tree recipients, both received a framed certificate, an acorn pin, and a $500 stipend from the Oak Tree Committee. Their achievement was formally acknowledged at the Webster CSD Board of Education meeting on May 13, where each was presented with a plaque to be displayed in their school for one year.

Sponsored annually by the Webster Teachers Association (WTA) and the Webster Central PTSA, the Oak Tree Award celebrates outstanding educators within Webster CSD at both the elementary and secondary levels. The 2024-25 committee was comprised of Kim Kozlowski (PTSA Award Chair), Mike Lingle, Aileen Calderon, Jennifer Birdsong, Amy Rotoli, and Aimee Shaver representing PTSA, and Jennifer Gunerman (WTA Award Chair), Jeff Darling, Diana Mee, Stephanie Metz-Miller, Katie Prota, and Denise Warren representing WTA.

Congratulations to Rachel and Sage on this well-deserved recognition. Webster CSD also extends its sincere appreciation to the other nominated teachers and staff members for their dedication and talent: Kristina Servati, Jodi Dovholuk, Emily Coope, Jennifer Dellapietra, Carrie Schembri, Rebecca Cincebox, Rachel Dolan, Kyle Sackett, Jennifer Iota, Emily Forrest, Tayler Nguyen, Margaret Garritano, Bill Ambler, Dilara Karahan, Melanie Gibbs, Sherri Cousineau, Dana Graf, Hayley Kus, Meaghan Arieno, Kelly Hanley, Michael Vanderwoude, Eileen Connelly, Scott Ritchlin, MIchiel Ciaburri, Sage Miller, Tracy Wyant, Gail Pittinaro, Cory Gomez, Jessica Vollmer, Matt Spadoni, Amy Spitzer, Julie Uetz, Jim Barilla, Carrie Zugelder, Joan Riesenberger, Becky Plouffe, Catherine Zalewski, Greg Pittman, Rebecca Margiotta, Rachel Yonkers, Melanie Drury, Todd Stahl, Katie Markiewicz, and Megan Goodsell. The district is truly fortunate to have such accomplished educators.