Area teachers chosen highlighted for excellence
Rebecca Devereaux|Herald-Standard
Amy Witt, librarian at West Crawford Elementary and South Side Elementary, was chosen by the Connellsville Area School District as this month’s Excellent Educator.
Roberto M. Esquivel|Herald-Standard
Toby Maykuth, kindergarten teacher at Smithfield Elementary School,was chosen as Excellent Educator for January 2016.
Nicole Maley, fifth-grade teacher, Bobtown Elementary School (Southeastern Greene School District), was named Excellent Educator for October 2016.
Rebecca Devereaux
Excellent educators were in no short supply in area school districts last year.
Through a monthly series, the Herald-Standard recognized 10 teachers in area districts in 2016, highlighting educators who were chosen by officials in their respective school districts based on their work and dedication to the area of education.
Featured teachers consistently went above and beyond the call of duty in the eyes of their supervisors through committing themselves to enriching the lives of students.
The following teachers were recognized last year as Herald-Standard Excellent Educators:
n Toby Maykuth, kindergarten teacher, Smithfield Elementary School (Albert Gallatin Area School District). Serving as head teacher, Maykuth has spent 13 years at Smithfield, using interactive lessons and songs to teach the school’s youngest students.
n Kellie Polvinale, kindergarten teacher, Cox-Donahey Elementary School (Brownsville Area School District). In the classroom, the Brownsville native fosters a familial atmosphere in which everybody helps each other learn, grow and succeed as students receive their first taste of education.
n Kevin Willis, science teacher, Carmichaels Area Middle-Senior High School (Carmichaels Area School District). Willis has helped Carmichaels improve its facilities and academic offerings through securing grants for projects undertaken by his chemistry and environmental science students.
n Amy Witt, librarian, West Crawford/South Side elementary schools (Connellsville Area School District). Providing instruction to 600 students a week, Witt utilizes Google Chromebooks, iPads, apps and web-based software to show students how to find and share information.
n Liz Whoric, kindergarten teachers, Frazier Elementary School (Frazier Area School District). On a quest to provide engaging, hands-on learning, Whoric implemented a curriculum last year that uses sound and movement to help students master subject material.
n Pam Lowry, health occupations instructor, Fayette County Career and Technical Institute. After working as a licensed practical nurse and registered nurse for nearly 30 years, Lowery took the reins of the health occupations program in 2008, preparing nursing students for careers after graduation.
n Angelo Testa, science teacher, Geibel Catholic High School. In just two years as Geibel’s chemistry, physics and environmental science teacher, Testa has made an impact on students interested in science and engineering related subjects.
n Kathy Iacconi, mathematics teacher, Laurel Highlands High School (Laurel Highlands School District). Iacconi has spent the majority of her 35-year career instructing college-bound students in advanced math courses through lively instruction and fun, math-related activities.
n Nicole Maley, fifth-grade teacher, Bobtown Elementary School (Southeastern Greene School District). Chosen for recognition in a vote among the district’s 65 teachers, the district alumna focuses on classroom engagement in creating lessons that students find fun and interesting.
n Dina Kriebel, chemistry teacher, Uniontown Area High School (Uniontown Area School District). Kriebel has worn many hats in her 21 years at Uniontown, forging relationships with her students through serving in numerous extracurricular capacities.
The Herald-Standard thanks the teachers recognized in 2016 for their dedication to their profession and their efforts to shape the minds of students. In 2017, the Excellent Educator series will expand to include additional school districts.
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