Local teachers tagged educators of the year
The smiles were endless, the applause was loud and emotions bubbled over at times as nine local educators, one by one, accepted the honor of 2002-2003 Educators of the Year, bestowed on them by the Fayette Chamber of Commerce, during a reception Wednesday. Fayette Chamber of Commerce Executive Director Muriel J. Nuttall said a healthy economy is rooted in many aspects of daily life, including the quality of the local education system.
Noting that the business community is a stakeholder in education, she said business leaders want to recognize and help teachers prepare their students for the global economy. She said teachers represent a profession that is critical to the health and well being of the community.
“We know they’re heroes every day, and we believe they deserve to be highlighted,” she said.
Chamber representatives, the educators, their family members, colleagues, school administrators and friends gathered for the reception at the Uniontown Holiday Inn. Each teacher had a chance to say a few words, acknowledging those who help them along the way.
The honorees were Mary Ellen S. Jones, secondary English teacher at Albert Gallatin Senior High School, Albert Gallatin Area School District; Mary Seelye, seventh- and eighth-grade special education teacher at Redstone Middle School, Brownsville Area School District; Christopher C. Hornick, instrumental music teacher/band director at Connellsville Junior High East, Connellsville Area School District; Donna M. Clark, science teacher at Frazier Middle School, Frazier School District; James E. Tobal, 11th-grade American history teacher, Laurel Highlands High School, Laurel Highlands School District; Jeremy Leasure, fourth- and fifth-grade math, social studies and science teacher at Marclay School, Uniontown Area School District; Valerie Bacharach, director of education at Laurel Business Institute in Uniontown, post-secondary school; Mary Lee DeCarlo, kindergarten teacher at Saint Mary School in Uniontown, private/parochial school; and Barbara Vance, math teacher at Fayette County Area Vocational-Technical School, vocational-technical school/Intermediate Unit 1.
Introductions featured comments about the honorees’ accomplishments and their special contributions to the schools and students.
Albert Gallatin Area High School principal Carl Bezjak introduced Jones as an invaluable teacher, advisor, peer and department chair.
“This award proves that our profession has its cheerleaders,” Jones said. “This award proves what we in education have always known. The connection to the community is what we build every day.”
Redstone Middle School principal Dr. Thomas A. Hisiro said Seelye “transcends greatness in what she does in the classroom.” With great zeal, tremendous compassion and caring she provides special programs and educational experiences to meet the needs of the students, Hisiro said.
Seelye said the award was an unexpected surprise and accepted it on behalf of the entire faculty and staff.
Hornick’s colleague, Don Witt, introduced him as a veteran teacher who is still striving and finding new and better ways to conduct his school’s band and music program.
Hornick, a teacher for 35 years, said he found the right profession. He acknowledged all teachers for their dedication to a changing profession with increasing requirements.
“If you stayed in teaching, you’re climbing the mountain and you should feel good about it,” he said.
Frazier Middle School principal Barbara Mehalov said Clark constantly is giving her students encouragement, advice, direction and hope while she also builds their character traits and self-esteem. She said Clark never refuses to help others.
“Each year has presented new challenges with new faces and new personalities. I still awaken each morning with the desire to face those challenges,” said Clark, noting her 26 years in teaching.
Tobal’s introduction came from his colleague William Simpson, who said Tobal has been creative and innovative for 35 years. He said Tobal’s care for his students and his belief that he should give back to the community through civic involvement are qualities that separate him from others.
Accepting the award on behalf of all of the school district’s teachers, Tobal said Laurel Highlands emphasizes teamwork and is a “truly special place” because of the teachers.
Marclay School principal Edward Fearer said he was on the interview team that recognized the potential in Leasure, and just four years after being hired he is deserving of this honor. He acknowledged Leasure for his part in a team effort that gained the school exceptional results on last year’s Pennsylvania System of School Assessment tests.
Leasure said teachers can enjoy their work and feel at the end of the day like they made a difference.
Laurel Business Institute director Nancy Decker said Bacharach is someone who gives 200 percent every day, in and out of the classroom. She said Bacharach cares for the students as a wonderful educator and valuable member of the staff.
“I’ve seen her change lives,” Decker said.
Bacharach said she loves what she does and wants her students to believe in themselves.
Two students’ mothers introduced DeCarlo. Patty Franks said her daughter goes to school with a smile and returns home with a smile, and Lisa Durbin said she would be eternally grateful for the educational foundation DeCarlo has given her daughter.
DeCarlo said the students come to school motivated, and the parents help create a great classroom environment. She added that Tobal was her high school teacher and inspired her to teach.
Vance was introduced by colleague Donna Heintz, who said Vance is an individual who shows care and concern for her school and community through her actions, not just her words. She said Vance is teaching math but also preparing her students as citizens.
Vance said that, as an academic teacher in vocational education, she sees the students apply her lessons every day. She said she is impressed by the teen-agers who already set life goals for themselves.
Honorees are chosen each year from nominations submitted to the chamber, and the honorees are selected by the chamber’s education council and other local business people based on contributions to education, professional activities, extracurricular activities, strengths in teaching, involvement in the community and effect on students.
Nuttall said the chamber distributed 5,000 nomination packets this year.