Congratulations to Krystal Deterding & Caitlin Woodswahl! Krystal, a Special Education teacher at South Middle, is the FZSD 2025 Educator of the Year! Caitlin, the Auditorium Manager at East, is the 2025 Employee of the Year.
Deterding, a Zumwalt alum, joined the South Middle team as a paraprofessional in 2012. Having earned bachelor’s degrees in Communication-Journalism and Global Communication, she earned a Master’s in Teaching and moved into a full-time Special Education teaching position at the school in 2017.
Her core beliefs are evident each day in her classroom. “Not I teach. We learn.” and “Always be willing to adapt.” Deterding’s philosophy is easy to see in the story of a reluctant writer and how she adapted assignments to fit the student’s passion for a particular book series. Deterding’s ability to go meet the student where they were boosted the student’s interest in the work and developed essential writing skills. It’s a clear example of what one colleague shared in a nomination form: “[Krystal] has a positive impact on students. She's very kind, she's very caring, and she honors students' voices and provides opportunities for students to be ready for the future.”
Similarly, Woodswahl has been willing to adapt to ensure students have multiple opportunities to explore the many aspects of theater and performance. She joined East High as the Auditorium Manager in 2021, a role that creates connections across the district as she provides support for everything from elementary school celebrations to middle school concerts to high school ceremonies and performances. One nomination form shared her dedication to students, sharing that, this year, [Caitlin] embraced a greater role with exceptional grace and determination, demonstrating to East High students what it truly means to adapt, learn, and commit wholeheartedly to excellence. Woodswahl produced the spring show, led the East High chapter of the International Thespian Society, collaborated across departments to best support students and productions and did it all in a manner that made students feel supported and cared for.
Deterding and Woodwahl will be honored at the annual Staff Appreciation Dinner, a Fort Zumwalt tradition recognizing those who have served our students and community in our schools.
Transcript below
Bring the #FZJoy
Meet Krystal Deterding and Caitlin Woodswahl.
They don’t know they’re about to meet The Surprise Squad.
[Honorees enter surprise announcement setting in library]
A South Middle School Special Education Teacher
and East High’s Auditorium Manager
Recognized by their peers for the work they do each day.
[Still photos of hugs, surprise and celebration as each learns of award]
A South Middle School Special Education Teacher
and East High’s Auditorium Manager
[Still photos of hugs, surprise and celebration as each learns of award]
Educator of the Year
[photo of Deterding with certificate and administrators]
Employee of the Year
[photo of Woodswahl with certificate, flowers and administrators]
Congrats!
Bring the #FZJoy