Local educators receive top honors in Cascade School District

Anastasia "Sia" Haberberger

COURTESY OF CASCADE SCHOOL DISTRICT

Luis Mendoza

COURTESY OF CASCADE SCHOOL DISTRICT

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LEAVENWORTH - The Cascade School District has named two longtime educators as their Employees of the Year for 2025, recognizing their dedication to students and the community.

Anastasia "Sia" Haberberger has been selected as Certificated Employee of the Year, while Luis Mendoza received the Classified Employee of the Year award.

Haberberger, known to students as "Mrs. Hab," has taught mathematics at Icicle River Middle School for 16 years and brings 20 years of total teaching experience to the position. A National Board Certified teacher, she earned her Bachelor of Science degree from Western Oregon University in 2003 and completed her Master's in Education at Pacific University in 2004.

Before joining Icicle River Middle School in 2008, Haberberger taught for four years at Patton Middle School in McMinnville, Oregon, where she met her husband Carl, a former Kodiak.

Haberberger's teaching philosophy centers on making mathematics engaging and collaborative. She believes creating strong student relationships is key to academic success.

When not in the classroom, Haberberger enjoys outdoor activities including sunbathing by the river, jogging with her dog, hiking, and cross-country skiing. She also maintains a regular 5 a.m. workout schedule with friends at Alpine Fitness.

Mendoza, who serves as the district's mechanic and driver trainer in the transportation department, is a 2002 Cascade School District graduate who later attended Wenatchee Valley College, graduating in 2004.

After working in automotive repair, Mendoza obtained his Commercial Driver's License in 2018 and worked for Orondo School District for three years before joining Cascade School District in 2021.

"Luis is my right-hand guy. He covers my job when I'm out of the office. He does a fantastic job, and we couldn't have the maintenance department in such great shape without him," said Lori Duncan, Mendoza's supervisor.

Mendoza, who has three children attending schools in the district, enjoys skiing with family and friends during winter months.

The annual Employee of the Year awards recognize outstanding contributions to education and student success within the Cascade School District.