For the City Times

STEVENS POINT — Two teachers, Alicia Skarsten and Rachel Gottlieb, received the Mandana Bliss Award at the Jan. 8, 2018, Stevens Point Area Public School District School Board Meeting.

Skarsten, a social studies teacher at P.J. Jacobs, was presented the award by student, Brianna Bierman Lozano. The student cited Skarsten’s ability to create a support system at school, the challenging nature of her classes, and her style of teaching and engaging students as reasons for nominating her for the award. Skarsten is in her twenty-second year teaching with the district.

Alicia Skarsten with student Brianna Bierman Lozano. (Contributed)

Madison Elementary student, Grace Lawrence, presented Rachel Gottlieb, a sixth-grade teacher at Madison Elementary School, the award.

“She deserves this award because she never gives up on our class and she is open with her students. She has hope for me and others and we are thankful for her teaching us to be us,” said Lawrence when presenting the award. Gottlieb is in her fourth year with the district.

Each month students have the opportunity to recognize a staff member that has profoundly influenced their educational experience. The award is given in the name of Mandana Bliss, the first teacher in the Stevens Point Area Public School District.