Patterson Middle School counselor Keri Luepke and Ira Cross Elementary School library aide Colleen McArthur are Killeen ISD’s STEEL Award winners for the month of December.
Killeen ISD Superintendent Jo Ann Fey joined Assistant Superintendent for Human Resources Will Baker and other school district and campus leaders to surprise each honoree at their campuses.
The STEEL Award stands for Supporting the Education and Empowerment of Learners. Any KISD staff member can nominate any other staff member to receive the monthly honor.
The actual plaque is a circular design made of steel cut in the welding bays at the KISD Career Center and polished and painted by students in the automotive body shop.
“It signifies strength, endurance, resilience, and unwavering commitment,” said Fey, “qualities that our awardees exemplify in their daily work.”
Patterson Middle School counselor Keri Luepke
Luepke was a math teacher at Union Grove Middle School before taking the counselor position at Patterson and has been at KISD 11 years. Her husband is also a teacher in the district, and they have two children who are students in KISD.
After teaching at the high school level, Luepke said she found her people at the middle school level, where “they are a mess and I love them,” she said, noting the spectrum of topics from moodiness to significant mental health challenges.
“At the end of the day, I just love the kids,” she said.
Going from teaching 150-plus to serving 1,000 students usually one at a time, she found a new kind of service just as rewarding as teaching.
“They make friendships back with connections you helped them keep,” she said. “They share struggles you help them through. You see a lot of growth from sixth to eighth grade. It’s very rewarding.”
Never one to seek the spotlight, Luepke was essentially trying to squeeze out of the way when a horde of guests entered the Patterson hallway to honor her with the monthly district award.
“Shocking. Humbling. I keep up with a lot of what goes on in KISD. When I see the STEEL Award winners, I think ‘wow, they must be amazing.’ I never thought I fit in that category like those celebrities do.”
As a middle school counselor, Luepke said she urges students to pay attention to those around them, and to be kind to everyone around them, not knowing what people are experiencing.
Ira Cross Elementary library aide Colleen McArthur
Library aide Colleen McArthur was similarly shocked when the superintendent, her principal and others invaded the library at Ira Cross Elementary School. She figured the award would be going to anyone but her.
The eight-year KISD employee is described as creative, sincere and someone who leads by example.
She brings creativity to her work and is a servant leader, often supporting activities after school and on the weekends.
“I enjoy helping them find books. I enjoy interacting with them and seeing how they progress from picture books to reading words,” she said.
“What motivates me is the atmosphere at Ira Cross. Everyone is so special here. If you’re gone for even one day they want to know where you are, even the kids,” she said.
McArthur figured the librarian was receiving the award, not her.
“I just do what I do out of love for the kids. I’m a giver and I like to give. To be recognized, I was totally taken by surprise and overwhelmed.”
