At the 2025 Board, Faculty, and Staff Awards presentation, seven faculty and staff members and coaches were honored for their contributions to the Spartan community. Steward’s strategic plan,
Compass 2028: Inspire the Future, includes six core values (innovation, inspiration, care & respect, individuality, academic achievement, and civil discourse); the award recipients exemplify these values.
The festive celebration took place in the Lora M. Robins Theatre in the Paul R. Cramer Center for the Arts. Honorees included Junior Kindergarten Teacher Katy Koppanyi, who was presented the Cramer Award. This award is given in memory of the former Steward head of school to a faculty member who epitomizes the characteristics of balance, perspective, and humor. Ms. Koppanyi will also receive a grant to use toward professional development as part of the award.
“At Steward, we’re fortunate Katy inherited and has grown the Junior Kindergarten program,” said Head of School Dan Frank as the audience viewed photos of Ms. Koppanyi throughout the years on a screen onstage. “Watching her with the kids at the Bryan Innovation Lab or on the Lower School carpool island, it might look like ‘just play,’ but it’s profoundly more. She intentionally demonstrates the importance of student choice, joy, and wonder, empowering them and nurturing their growth and development.”
Reflecting on Ms. Koppanyi’s deep and powerful ties to the Steward community, Mr. Frank said, “Her cup is filled by making connections. She asks questions, listens intently, and genuinely cares about the answers. She is compassionate, thoughtful, and joyful. Please join me in congratulating this year’s Paul R. Cramer Award winner, Katy Koppanyi!”
Previous Cramer Award honorees include Bonnie Anderson, Carolyn Brandt, Beverley Fox, Melissa Freed, Heather Jeter, Catesby Jones, Margaret Maclin, Gardner Mundy, Rugene Paulette, Claudia Ramirez, Janet Rice, Robin Ricketts, Louise Robertson, Craig Smith, Chris Tickle, and Lynn Zinder, each of whom also received a grant to use toward professional development as part of the award.
During the event, additional awards were presented to faculty and staff to recognize their outstanding contributions to Steward. Each recipient received an engraved plaque and a monetary gift.
The Lower School Award is named for Debbie Hanger, a trustee and beloved member of the community who served as director of Lower School for a decade. The 2025 Debbie Hanger Outstanding Lower School Teacher Award was presented to Lower School Librarian Carlee Smith.
The Middle School Award is named for Roger Coulombe, former director of Middle School and head of school who was known for being compassionate, caring, and deeply committed to Steward’s mission and community. The 2025 Roger Coulombe Outstanding Middle School Teacher Award was presented to Middle School Social Studies Teacher Craig Redmond-Cilley.
The Upper School Award is named for Carolyn Brandt, who spent 32 years at Steward and was — and continues to be — an integral part of Steward’s growth and a champion of the school’s mission. The 2025 Carolyn Brandt Outstanding Upper School Teacher Award was presented to Upper School Social Studies Teacher and Leadership Program Coordinator Eliza McGehee.
The Parents Association presented an Outstanding Staff Member Award named for former Director of the Physical Plant Bob Sanders, who spent two decades supervising the growth of Steward’s campus. The 2025 Robert Sanders Jr. Outstanding Staff Member Award was presented to Associate Director of Admissions Beth Farmer-Smith ’09.
The Spartan Club presented an award to a coach who made a significant impact on their teams and at Steward, inspiring our players to be competitive athletes and respectful, engaged citizens. This year’s award was presented to Middle School Basketball and Lacrosse Coach Brandon Cassell.
The second-annual
Champions of Play Award, which honors the late Lower School Director
Ingrid Moore, was presented. The 2025 Champions of Play award was given to Upper School World Languages Teacher
Julia Tompkins.