Educators of the year announced
Five educators from around the county have been named 2013 Educators of the Year by the Fayette Chamber of Commerce.
Amanda Thomas, a teacher at Chestnut Ridge Christian Academy, earned the distinctive award in the pre-kindergarten category.
Thomas was nominated by Geri Lee Ternitsky, a grandmother of a student in her class.
“(Thomas) exhibits much patience with the children, instilling good work and study habits that will go with them into future grades,” said Ternitsky.
She noted that when her granddaughter is asked what she wants to be when she grows up, she answers “a teacher like Mrs. Thomas.”
Cynthia Skowronek, a guidance counselor in the Laurel Highlands School District, was selected as one of the Educators of the Year in the grades 6-8 category. Skowronek, who has a career that spans 22 years, 20 of those at Laurel Highlands, was nominated by her colleagues and fellow guidance counselors Nicole Cipriani and Kathy Kania.
Cipriani and Kania say Skowronek has impacted the climate of the school by working hard and taking on new challenges without forgetting the true purpose of counselor — the students.
“She is without question the heart of our school. She has been a leader to other counselors by starting the first formal guidance classes in the district and developing curriculum for the classes,” said Cipriani.
April Belback, an English teacher at Brownsville Area High School, was selected in the grades 9-12 category. She was nominated by Rachel Andler-McCloy, curriculum coordinator at the school.
“Her classroom is the stage where the students are the stars,” said Andler-McCloy. “Her classroom has been the model for effective student engagement strategies and a resource for her colleagues.”
Belback has been teaching for six years.
In the post-secondary category, Dr. James Crawford, a physics professor at Penn State Fayette,The Eberly Campus, is being awarded for his 29 years of dedication to teaching and the excitement he conveys.
Crawford is nominated for the award by Delia Conti, director of academic affairs at Penn State Fayette. Conti said Crawford’s ability to explain difficult physics concepts to ensure student understanding is a tremendous asset.
“(Crawford) has an enthusiasm for teaching and for service on campus that has not waned in his many years of service,” said Conti. “He genuinely feels blessed that he has discovered teaching as a calling and cannot imagine any other profession.”
Randy Miller, curriculum director in the Laurel Highlands School District, is being honored with the award in the support staff/professional category.
Nominated by Lori DiCenzo, supervisor of special education and pupil personnel services, Miller has a total of 18 years in education, including serving as assistant high school principal at Laurel Highlands High School before moving into his current position in 2009.
“(Miller) has a knack for reaching for every facet of education,” said DiCenzo. “His vision is progressive for he is always thinking and planning for the future of education for all students.”
The 2013 awardees will be honored at a reception scheduled for 4:30 p.m. Monday at Mallard’s Landing at Duck Hollow Golf Course.