2026 CODE Teacher Leaders

The David Douglas School District’s Cadre of Distinguished Educators (CODE) recognizes teachers who are leaders in our schools. These teachers help students grow, support their fellow educators, and work toward our district goals. Every spring, we open nominations to select a new group of teachers for this honor. 

Here are the seven teachers chosen for this districtwide recognition this year.

Congratulations to:

Bekah Bakken 

Student Achievement Specialist at West Powellhurst Elementary

Here is what a colleague had to say…

“Bekah is an incredible leader at our school. She is always willing to help teachers with anything—from ordering classroom materials to building strategies for reading groups or planning the entire school schedule. She is an integral part of our school’s operations and manages many moving parts to keep things running smoothly. 

Bekah also provides professional development opportunities and has guided us through many curriculum changes. She supports students in setting and reflecting on their goals, helping them become more self-empowered learners. 

Bekah has coached and supported me over the years, helping me build my confidence as an educator. She is excellent at offering suggestions while making staff feel valued and successful. Although she is now a coach, her classroom experience shines through; she truly understands the complexities teachers face and ensures we feel seen and supported.”

Racheli Karlinsky Ross, M.S., CCC-SLP

Speech and Language Pathologist at Earl Boyles Elementary School

Here is what a colleague had to say…

“Racheli is always looking out for her students and supporting their needs. She works directly with children, supports school teams, trains staff members, and meets with families. Racheli is incredibly dedicated to her team; she gives presentations in classrooms, trains teachers and instructional assistants (IAs), and consistently takes on leadership roles among her fellow speech pathologists. 

She focuses on her own professional growth and sets high standards for herself and her students. Racheli ensures a safe learning environment and helps students grow socially, emotionally, and academically. She also collaborates closely with families and community partners to empower students to advocate for themselves. Racheli is amazing!”

Allie Bright

4th Grade Teacher at Mill Park Elementary

Here is what a colleague had to say…

“Allie is often the first in our school to try new ideas. Her leadership has a positive ripple effect because other teachers look up to her. For example, she joined a group of educators exploring ‘flexible groupings’ for reading and math, and her grade-level team soon followed her lead. She also piloted new reading comprehension strategies, which led other teachers to learn from her during our ‘Mill Park University’ morning sessions. Allie has a unique ability to ask important questions while staying positive; she truly wants what is best for her students. 

In addition to her work with teacher groups, she joined a book club focused on improving reading instruction. She is a very active member of our Equity Team and often leads sessions for our entire school. Her quiet leadership style helps others feel comfortable and open to new perspectives.”

Dan Senffner

8th Grade Math Teacher at Ron Russell Middle School

Here is what a colleague had to say…

“Dan has consistently provided homework, lesson plans that match pacing guides, guided notes, quizzes, and tests for our units. He also provides ‘thin slicing’ examples for us to use with whiteboards. He has encouraged us to adopt ‘Building Thinking Classrooms’ and other rigorous curricula to better engage our students. He provides individual help with student-centered teaching approaches. 

In addition, Dan organized treats for students completing the second round of iReady testing, and helped organize the 8th-grade Spring Social and other evening events. He provides culturally responsive, highly effective instruction, engages in continual professional learning, and establishes high standards and expectations for all.”

Nikki Whitton

Math Teacher at David Douglas High School

Here is what a colleague had to say…

“Nikki is the facilitator of the Integrated 2 Data Team. She shares ideas for new ways to teach while keeping us focused on our team tasks. Her room is open every Wednesday morning for teachers to talk and plan together. When we run out of time during meetings, Nikki finishes the work and shares it with the rest of the team. She is also part of a group of math teachers working to align our lessons with priority standards. 

As a building representative for the teachers’ union (DDEA), Nikki is a fantastic partner who is open to having tough conversations to make DDHS a more supportive environment for both staff and students. 

Additionally, Nikki assists the equity team and was one of the first teachers to try new grading practices. She even leads a weight-lifting club for students after school. She focuses on her own professional growth and helps her students develop socially, emotionally, and academically, empowering them to advocate for themselves.”

Olivia Bass, MOTR/L

Here is what a colleague had to say…

“Olivia inspires by example. She is an insightful contributor to any discussion and is known for creative solutions to common issues, such as using stylish headbands for sensory input or creating individualized video models to teach adaptive skills. She also quickly learns new strategies and technology. During the pandemic, she created learning resources for families that are still used frequently at MECP. 

Olivia serves on the ‘Go Baby Go’ Committee, which supports inclusive ways for children to move, play, and communicate. She also provides her team with regular updates on local parent and child activities. Additionally, she takes on projects that support our entire program, such as helping to create a ‘Make and Take’ session for colleagues to build educational materials.

Olivia is dedicated to her students’ social, emotional, and academic development, collaborates closely with families, and helps students build the skills they need for lifelong learning.”

Cheri Dodge Chin, EdD, CScD, CCC/SLP

Assistive Technology Specialist K-21 at South Powellhurst

Here is what a colleague had to say…

“Cheri inspires other educators through her deep expertise and commitment to sharing her knowledge. Holding two doctorate degrees, she models lifelong learning and shows what it means to continually grow as a teacher. Beyond her own growth, she teaches speech pathology students, helping future educators and strengthening the field as a whole.

Within our district, Cheri created ‘AT University,’ a library of instructional videos and trainings she developed herself. These videos help teachers and staff understand and use assistive technology—from simple Chromebook tools to communication (AAC) devices. To make learning fun, she even uses creative ideas like ‘AT Bingo’ to encourage staff to explore the content. Because of Cheri’s work, teachers feel more confident using technology in their classrooms and are better equipped to support all learners. Her ability to turn complex information into simple, useful strategies has helped students become more independent.

Through her generosity and willingness to mentor colleagues, Cheri supports the work of everyone around her.”