Crutchman named Teacher of Year
When Jeanne Moore became principal at Kennedy Elementary School in North Union Township, Eileen Crutchman moved into her position as coordinator of the gifted program. Three years later, Moore took note of Crutchman’s constant use of the Herald-Standard in her work with students and nominated her to be the Herald-Standard Newspaper in Education Teacher of the Year.
“They (the students) use the newspaper as resources for research projects, presentations and for real-life experiences,” Moore wrote in her nomination form. “Mrs. Crutchman uses creative techniques to teach projects beyond the regular curriculum.”
Crutchman was honored as the 2003-04 NIE teacher of the tear during a recent open house at Kennedy. Jo Lieb, NIE coordinator, and Megan Clark-Young, NIE educational services coordinator, joined Moore in presenting Crutchman with a plaque and a certificate from the Herald-Standard NIE program.
Lieb said teachers were nominated from schools throughout Fayette County and a portion of Greene County, and a five-person team reviewed all the nominations before selecting the teacher of the year.
“We had a lot of veteran and a lot of new NIE teachers this year,” she said. “The selection process was very difficult.”
Crutchman said she was “totally shocked” when she got the news that she would be honored and learned that Moore had written her nomination.
“I guess it was her way of saying I was doing a good job,” she said.
Crutchman said younger students use the newspaper to find places that are mentioned in the Herald-Standard, while older students use it for a grammar review or to practice their reading skills.
“Some kids won’t read books, so I will let them read the newspaper,” she said. “If a kid is into sports and will read the newspaper for half an hour, that’s important. Just getting them to read is great, and that’s what the paper does.”
Crutchman, 42, lives with her husband, Ira, in Lemont Furnace, and they have two children: Brandon, 16, and Olivia, 8.
During the ceremony, she thanked the entire Kennedy staff, which is spending its last weeks together because the school is slated for closure this summer.
“I’m going to miss you all greatly,” Crutchman said. “Thank you for your love and support.”
The ceremony was held during the school’s open house, which featured the opening of a time capsule, performances of Appalachian and American Indian music, and presentations from the school’s resident artist about recycled material sculptures.