Congratulations to our Siege Award Winners 2026

Ms. Betsy is the heart and soul of Learning Gate, embodying a profound love for both children and

nature in everything she does. Her passion and energy shine through as she nurtures her

students, guiding them to become active learners and responsible stewards of the

environment.

Striving for Excellence: Betsy instills in her students the importance of doing their best and

treating each other with kindness. She fosters a supportive atmosphere where effort is

celebrated.

Inspiring Others: Her infectious energy and positive attitude radiate happiness, creating

an uplifting environment both inside and outside the classroom. Students eagerly share their

discoveries and accomplishments with her, reflecting the strong connection she builds with

them.

Engaging Learning Experiences: As a master storyteller and dynamic presenter, Betsy

captivates her students, infusing excitement and engagement into every lesson. Her ability to

animate the curriculum makes learning an adventure.

Respect and Admiration: Betsy's integrity and strong work ethic earn her deep respect

from students, families, and colleagues alike. She leads by example, demonstrating the values

she teaches.

Purpose-Driven Teaching: At the core of Betsy’s mission is her unwavering commitment to

love her students and encourage them to embrace their unique selves. She plays a vital role in

helping the Learning Gate community flourish.

Her dedication not only enriches her students’ lives but also inspires everyone around her to

strive for their best and cultivate a nurturing environment.

Two years ago, we hired Corina Hajj to lead our Middle School Environmental Education

department, and she has been a non-stop "go-getter" ever since. Over the past two years, she

has worked tirelessly to build and elevate our environmental curriculum from the ground up at

Learning Gate Community School. Corina truly embodies the core pillars of the S.I.E.G.E.

acronym every single day:

Strive for Your Best: She sets an elite standard, working relentlessly to research and develop a

rigorous, top-tier environmental science curriculum for our middle schoolers.

 Inspire Others: Her boundless energy and deep passion for sustainability inspire both her

faculty peers and her students to become active caretakers of our planet.

 Engaging Learning: She brings science to life, trading traditional lectures for immersive, hands-

on outdoor fieldwork and real-world problem-solving.

 Give Respect: She models a deep respect for local ecosystems while cultivating an inclusive

classroom where every student's voice is valued.

 Establishing Purpose: Every lesson she designs has a clear "why"; connecting daily habits to

global issues and empowering students to make a real-world impact.

Corina has entirely transformed our environmental program with her unmatched drive and

clear intentionality. It is an absolute privilege to present her with this year's S.I.E.G.E. Award!

When it comes to keeping our campus running smoothly, our Head of Maintenance, Kirk

Myers—affectionately known as Captain Kirk;—consistently ventures into uncharted territory

to save the day. Kirk doesn’t just manage facilities; he actively anticipates problems before they

arise and tackles every challenge with unmatched dedication. Whether he is handling an

emergency repairs, dealing with a bathroom issue, troubleshooting a complex campus-wide

logistical issue, or ensuring our school grounds are safe and welcoming, Kirk approaches his

work with a relentless work ethic and a positive attitude. He is the quiet force behind our daily

operations, routinely sacrificing his own time to support our faculty and students. For always

going above and beyond the call of duty to keep our ship perfectly on course, we are proud to

honor Captain Kirk; with this well-deserved award!