CYS recognizes ‘compassionate educators’

Three educators were honored this year for going above and beyond the call of duty in their service to students.
Jeff Sigado, Diane Haddad and Jeremy Leasure, were recognized as the first-, second- and third-place honorees, respectively, for the annual David L. Madison Compassionate Educator Award — an award given each year by Fayette County Children and Youth Services.
“It represents celebrating those who go above and beyond in their service to children who have experienced a loss of basic comforts,” said Gina D’Auria, administrator of CYS. “They simply do more, and go above their basic educator duties.”
D’Auria said the CYS advisory board, the group that was responsible for choosing this year’s winners, received numerous nominations.
“I think every year we’ve gotten wonderful, wonderful nominations,” D’Auria said. “It shows how many people are out there trying to make a difference in the lives of children. It gets harder and harder each year to pick the winners.”
Sigado, a social worker in the Brownsville Area School District, was nominated by Tricia Rohlf, a guidance counselor, as well as by Billy Rouse, a Brownsville Area Middle School guidance counselor, who said Sigado displays “a steady heart.”
“Jeff (Sigado) goes above and beyond the expectations of a normal educator,” Rouse said in his nomination letter. “Outside of his office, he’s usually being flooded with students who are upset or battling certain issues. (He) is also an outreach to not only the students, but the families of the students as well.”
In one instance, Rouse said Sigado worked with a homeless student and her recovering addict mother, guiding her to the services offered by Pennsylvania CareerLink.
“Through working with this family myself for the past three years, I saw their trials, and felt their pain,” Rouse said. “Several times (Sigado) himself out of his own pocket, covered different utility bills and fees to aide this mother and family to take a step towards getting back on their feet.”
Rouse also referred to Sigado as a “person of action,” saying that he spearheads collections for families in need throughout the year.
Haddad, an English teacher in the Brownsville Area School District, was nominated for the award by Colleen Isler, Cynthia Keefer and Cathy Rice.
“Six years ago, Diane (Haddad) took the necessary classes and steps to become a foster parent,” Isler said in her nomination letter. “Many children of all ages have come to stay with (Haddad) and all have benefited from her love of children and her compassion for their unique situations.”
Haddad adopted one of those children, Isler said.
“His quality of life has gone from the darkest night to the brightest day one can imagine,” Isler wrote. He came from a place of abuse to live with, and have a loving family of his own. I do not believe he stood a chance at a productive life until he found the love and support of Diane (Haddad) and her extended family.”
Isler said Haddad also organizes Christmas and Easter parties for the children of CYS families. She has joined forces with a number of service clubs at the high school raising funds to help with the cost of the parties and to purchase toys, scarves, gloves, coats and other items the children need and enjoy.
Leasure, a fourth- and fifth-grade teacher at Marclay Elementary School in the Uniontown Area School District, was nominated by Donna Leasure, his wife and fellow educator; Pam Whyel, a school volunteer; and Tracy Holesapple, principal at Marclay.
“Mr. Leasure has gone above and beyond the call of a teacher at Marclay Elementary,” Holesapple said. “He is quick to respond to the needs of staff and students. He has a giving and generous spirit at school and on his free time. At school he has helped with bus situations, assisted with students who do not want to attend class, or are just having a bad day. Leasure has also tutored students before and after school.”
Whyel said Leasure goes above and beyond when he takes his class to Gettysburg every year for an overnight stay.
“Many of these kids have never been outside of Fayette County, much less given the opportunity of riding on a coach bus, staying in a motel and being away from their parents for the night,” Whyel said. “What a life lesson.”
D’Auria said the award is named after David L. Madison, a former CYS administrator. D’Auria said Madison was always very active in working with schools and students.
“Schools are a very big part of what we do,” she said. “Educators are mandated reporters, so we work closely with schools to make sure children’s needs are being met. The one true constant in their life is their education, so educators play a huge role.”
Tim Truckenmiller, an instructor at Adelphoi Village; Jessica Scott, assistant principal at Laurel Highlands Middle School; and Carrie Bartley, a first-grade teacher in the Connellsville Area School District, were also nominated for this year’s award.