MAYOR HONORS HARRISBURG SCHOOL DISTRICT STAFF DURING NATIONAL TEACHER APPRECIATION WEEK
Harrisburg, PA – Mayor Stephen R. Reed and officials from the Harrisburg School District today presented 14 District teachers with "Teacher of the Year" certificates of recognition for their outstanding service at a luncheon held at the Goodwin Family Life Center at 2430 N. Third Street in the Uptown to celebrate National Teacher Appreciation Week.
Reed said the first ever "Teacher Appreciation Program" was sponsored by the Harrisburg Public School Foundation (HPSF), the Harrisburg Education Association (HEA) and the Horace Mann Company.
The Mayor lauded all of the District’s teachers and staff during the luncheon and ceremony and specially recognized and honored the teachers and staff in the following categories:
PreK – Kindergarten:
• Sue Chamberlin, Downey School
Grades 1 – 3:
• Suzanne Laughman, Hamilton School
• Melanie Taylor, Ben Franklin School
Grades 4 – 6:
• Martha Rougeux, Foose School
Grades 7 and 8:
• James Howard, Camp Curtain School
Grades 9 – 12:
• Lisa Menegat, Harrisburg High School
• Clenistine Dunson, Harrisburg High School
Enrichment (art, music, physical education):
• Wanda Watson, Foose School
Support Services (counselors, nurses, social workers):
• Marcy Velez, Harrisburg High School
Special Education:
• Stephanie Boles Piper, Camp Curtain School
ESL (English as a Second Language):
• Rodger Hines, Rowland School
Instructional Facilitator:
• Ami Gereb, Hamilton School
Instructional Aide:
• Selera Smith, Harrisburg High School
Librarian:
• Leann Cox, Foose School
The Mayor also honored additional teachers who were each nominated for their respective award categories. They include Ciara Borden, Shimmell School; Janelle Brojakowski, Foose School; Amy Cytryn, Harrisburg High School; Vicki Daniels, Ben Franklin School; Cynthia Evans, Marshall School; Abraham Farhat, Rowland School; Colleen Forrester, Rowland School; Carol Gadsden, Foose School; Rhonda Garling, Steele School; Melissa Hogg, Harrisburg High School; Mary Kay Hunter, various; Tonia John, William Penn Campus, Harrisburg High School; Cara Klinger, Marshall School; Pamela McCann, Camp Curtin School; Lisa Romeo, Lincoln School; and Kelly Sherbo, Hamilton School.
"These teachers were nominated by their students, their students’ parents, and their peers to be recognized for the inspiration they offer on a number of levels," said Reed. "The Harrisburg Public School Foundation received more than 100 nominations, many of them for the same teacher."
"In addition, an objective committee comprised of 13 education experts and community volunteers read every nomination and made the final selection of the 14 individuals who were particularly lauded in the narratives accompanying the nominations. The qualities that stood out included a willingness to take extra time to help students master academic subjects and an ability to inspire young people to do and be their best both in the classroom outside of school. These teachers have served as role models and mentors to young people who appreciate their guidance."
"It is important to recognize true unsung heroes like the teachers in the Harrisburg School District, who labor intensely to help young people gain a good education and to acquire the personal characteristics necessary to become productive and successful citizens. This is why today we take such pleasure in presenting certificates to those teachers whose students and peers brought their accomplishments to our attention," said Reed.
The Mayor also acknowledged the volunteer committee of readers who reviewed each of the nominations, including Sherry Christian, WHP-TV 21; Verona Dorch, HPSF Board Member and Harsco Corp.; Carolyn Dumaresq, Harrisburg Rotary; Paddy Garcia, PA State System of Higher Education; Carole Forker Gibbons, Community Volunteer; Marcus Hite, HPSF Board Member and M&T Bank; Clare Jones, Harrisburg School District Board of Control; Ellen Kyzer, Chair, HPSF Board, and The Foundation for Enhancing Communities; W. Gerard Oleksiak, Pennsylvania State Education Association; Joan Prescott, Harrisburg Rotary; Joseph Robinson, Harrisburg School District Alumnus; and Julie Sullivan, HPSF Board Member and Harrisburg School District parent.
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