Fulcrum Foundation St. John Baptist de La Salle Educator Excellence Awardees

February 25, 2026

Fulcrum’s St. John Baptist de La Salle Award is presented annually to distinguished educators in the Archdiocese of Seattle. As the patron saint of teachers, St. John Baptist de La Salle devoted his life to the education of young people.

Nominees are considered for their unwavering commitment to mission and Catholic identity, their leadership and inspiring presence in their school community, their dedication to academic excellence, and their efforts to go above and beyond to ensure the viability and sustainability of their school.

We are humbled and grateful for each of these incredible educator’s steadfast devotion to the mission of our Catholic schools and the many sacrifices they make on behalf of their students. Please join Fulcrum in congratulating and thanking each of these exceptional and inspirational educators.

2025 Awardees

Kasey Bell
Immaculate Conception Regional School, Mount Vernon; 6th Grade

Erica Billard
Christ the King Catholic School, Seattle; Early Childhood Education Director

Madeline Butterfield
Pope St. John XXIII STEM Academy, Tacoma; Kindergarten

Angela Greenfield
St. Anthony School, Renton; Kindergarten

Plinio Gutierrez-Delgado
Bellarmine Preparatory School, Tacoma; Spanish Language

Amy Lee-Despard
St. Cecilia Catholic School, Bainbridge Island; 7th/8th Grade

Emma Metzger
Sacred Heart School, Bellevue; 5th Grade

Andrew Nutter
Our Lady of Lourdes Catholic School, Vancouver; 7th Grade

2024 Awardees

Will Chambers
O’Dea High School, Seattle; English

Suzanne Christnacht
St. Patrick School, Tacoma; Preschool

Nicki Chouinard
Our Lady of Hope School, Everett; 5th /6th Grade Humanities

Ellen Flies
St. Joseph School, Seattle; Learning Resource Center Director

Ellen Nickerson
St. Rose School, Longview; 2nd Grade

Teri O’Connor
St. Philomena School, Des Moines; 4th Grade

Pauline Storino
St. Mark Catholic Classical School, Shoreline; 4th/5th Grade