The Fort Dodge Community School District has named the April 2025 Students and Staff of the Month honorees. This program recognizes one elementary, one middle school, and one high school student, as well as one staff member, monthly for exceeding expectations.

Broc Alstott is the Elementary Student of the Month. Broc attends Feelhaver Elementary.

Ellyson Shelton nominated Broc, writing, “Broc has gained a lot of skills this year in second grade. He always tries his best, is a perfectionist, and has overcome many challenges to be where he is currently.

“Broc always comes to school with a smile on his face, tries hard to get his work done, and can always make everyone smile. He always tries to help his friends and never says anything mean. I think he deserves this honor because he is a bright light at Feelhaver. When you see him, he is always smiling and being kind to other friends. He could talk your ear off and always puts a smile on staff’s faces no matter what has happened that day. He is kind, loving, smart, and hilarious.”

Paige Walstrom is the Middle School Student of the Month.

The 7 Orange team nominated Paige. In their nomination, they wrote, “Paige always tries her hardest and turns in quality work. She asks questions to make sure she understands and participates in the classroom. Paige is kind to everyone. She exhibits integrity, as she always does what is right, no matter the situation. She is willing to help others and is a good friend.

Paige is a great example of a student you want in your classroom. She is kind and conscientious. She always has a smile on her face and is a joy to teach. She exemplifies what it means to be a Dodger.”

Jenson Litwiller is the Senior High Student of the Month.

Pam Gollob nominated Jenson. She wrote, “Jenson volunteered at Duncombe’s Fun Night on March 29. He worked the entire night and then helped afterward to clean up. He not only helped sweep the gym floor, but also mopped where we had the cotton candy station set up, which was a sticky mess. Jenson did this without hesitation and even said that it was part of the job he signed up for. Jenson stayed until 7:15 that night helping with getting Duncombe ready for Monday morning when students would arrive. That may not seem like much, but it definitely did not go unnoticed.”

Nikki Fishman is the Employee of the Month.

Karine Feddersen nominated Fishman, writing, “The word that comes to mind when I think of Nikki as a teacher is intentional. Everything she does in the classroom has a purpose. She builds relationships with her management system, notes home, and meaningful rewards for positive behavior. From this, she inspires her students to want the intrinsic reward versus the extrinsic options. She collaborates with every student in mind. She has organizational skills that provide the consistency that her students require to be able to be at their best. Nikki finds the time to implement the interventions that are needed but also can provide enrichment and opportunities for those students who regularly meet the classroom academic goals.

“Nikki has dealt with three completely different types of classrooms in her years here, and she has pivoted each year with her strategies and styles to get everything she can out of her students. She has handled each unique class with the needs of the students in mind. I have also had the opportunity to work with Nikki as a parent as she has had two of my own kids in class. As their personalities are night and day, she has been able to inspire them both in ways that they needed. I had one child who has always blended in. She always does what she is supposed to do. Nikki provided her with an environment where she could shine. Her confidence grew tremendously in her fourth-grade year. My other child went through a period of struggle. Nikki provided daily updates, and consistency in the classroom, and had regular meaningful conversations with her. She is coming out of a year with Nikki a completely different child. Nikki is a once-in-a-lifetime teacher, and we as a school have been extremely lucky to have had the opportunity to work with and learn from her the past three years.”