At Central DeWitt Middle School, it’s not just the students and staff who are making waves — it’s also the leadership. CDMS Principal Pam Hayes has been recognized as the November Central DeWitt Employee of the Month, a well-deserved honor backed by heartfelt nominations from staff, parents, and students.

Since joining the Saber family this summer, Mrs. Hayes has brought a level of energy and positivity that has transformed the middle school experience. Her infectious enthusiasm and genuine care for everyone around her have earned admiration from colleagues, parents, and students alike.

“Mrs. Hayes is exactly the principal we needed,” said one student. “She has energy and happiness enough for all of us, and we know middle school can be a difficult time to be happy. She also has made us proud of our school. She never stops being positive.”

Her staff highlighted Mrs. Hayes’s exceptional leadership and ability to connect with others.

“She has shown so much kindness and compassion to students, parents, and all employees,” Dede Wagener, Nutrition Services Director, said. “She has a unique gift of putting a twist on difficult situations and turning them into positive ones. Her communication is amazing, and she has been a breath of fresh air to our district.”

Parents have also taken notice of her thoughtful and inclusive approach. “Mrs. Hayes consistently goes above and beyond to help kids through situations,” shared one parent. “She makes sure to consider every available angle before making decisions, follows up, and truly listens. I feel more heard this year than I have in previous years.”

Mrs. Hayes’s commitment to fostering relationships is evident throughout our school community. Again and again, she is praised for how she goes out of her way to make sure staff feel supported and works tirelessly to build relationships with every middle school student. The Saber family is fortunate to have such a dynamic and compassionate leader at the helm. Congratulations to Mrs. Hayes for this well-earned recognition and for making a lasting impact on our school community!

We proudly recognize Karl Burmester, also known as “Mr. B,” as our district’s October Employee of the Month. With an impressive 41 years of teaching experience, including 26 years at Central DeWitt, Mr. Burmester’s career has been marked by unwavering dedication to students, both in and out of the classroom. After retiring as a health and physical education teacher in 2016, he transitioned to transportation shortly after, where he continues to impact the lives of students and their families in remarkable ways.

Mr. Burmester's dedication to helping every child feel comfortable and safe is evident in the extra steps he takes. When one young student faced challenges with transportation, Mr. Burmester took the time to visit the student’s classroom, engaging the child in story reading and playing to help build comfort and trust. He worked patiently through rides that were stressful for the student, handling each moment with calmness, patience, and a genuine care that did not go unnoticed by the student’s parent. Now that student looks forward to riding with "Mr. B" to school each morning.

For Mr. Burmester, driving isn’t just a job—it’s a continuation of his work as an educator. “Transportation is an extension of the classroom,” he says, reflecting his dedication to building strong relationships with both students and their parents. On each ride, he creates a learning environment by reciting the ABCs or counting to 100 with the young students, turning the journey to and from school into a fun and educational experience.

Beyond his role in transportation, Mr. Burmester has a long history of service in athletics. He has coached girls’ basketball, served as the assistant coach for boys’ track, and remains involved as the assistant coach for girls’ track at Central DeWitt today.

Dedicated to student and community safety, Mr. Burmester is also a certified CPR instructor. He offers CPR training throughout the community and for our district’s bus drivers, aiming to ensure as many people as possible are trained in CPR.

We are grateful to Mr. Burmester for the outstanding care, calmness, and dedication he brings to his role. His work is a testament to the positive difference that a compassionate and dedicated individual can make in our students' lives. Thank you, "Mr. B," for being an invaluable part of our school community!

We proudly recognize Sarah Johnston as the September Employee of the Month for her exceptional dedication and contributions as the district’s Chief Financial Officer. Since stepping into this vital role last December, Sarah has put in countless hours to understand the intricacies of the district’s financial position, ensuring that everything is in order and aligned with the district's goals. Her love for math and strong ability to problem solve has helped her navigate the complexities of the district’s financials with precision and confidence.

“Her role is incredibly challenging and often goes unnoticed, yet she has stepped up in a big way to master a new position,” Superintendent Dr. Stephanie Mishler said. “The district is stronger because of her expertise, dedication, and willingness to grow. We are truly fortunate to have her on our team!”

Sarah’s most recent accomplishment includes completing the annual CAR report, which she submitted on time and with meticulous accuracy—a major milestone for the district. Sarah's efforts don’t stop there. She consistently goes above and beyond her job description, and her enthusiasm and commitment extend beyond the administration center reflecting her dedication to the overall success of the district.

Outside of work, Sarah is an avid volunteer in her community, driven by a passion to give back to organizations that have impacted her life. She currently serves as a University of Iowa Health Care Stead Family Children’s Hospital Family Advisory Council member, is on the Deaf and Hard of Hearing State Advisory Board, teaches religious education at St. Joseph Catholic Church, helps lead the Christ in Others Retreat (COR) for high school students, is on the DeWitt Zoning Board of Adjustment and is the CDCSD school board secretary.

Her ambition, humanitarianism, and positive presence not only make her a joy to work with, but a true inspiration. Congratulations, Sarah, on this well-deserved recognition! Your hard work, passion, and commitment to Central DeWitt and your community are truly appreciated.

The Central DeWitt Community School District Employee of the Month program is meant to show appreciation for the efforts of employees who contribute to our success and help fulfill our mission statement. Outstanding employees deserve to be recognized for both their exceptional performance and for being a role model to our students and other employees.

This district-wide program gives Central DeWitt employees, parents, students and community members the opportunity to help us recognize outstanding employees by sharing positive personal experiences. We encourage you to take a moment to nominate a deserving Central DeWitt employee today!

All full-time and part-time employees are eligible to be nominated for employee of the month. An employee may be chosen as the employee of the month only once during the current school year. Employees who were nominated, but not chosen as the employee of the month, will be recognized as “Saber Superstars” on social media.

We are excited to receive nominations and celebrate the hard work and dedication of our employees!