Teacher of the Year Banquet

MAY 17, 2018 — GUY’S PARTY CENTER Teacher of the Year Banquet

May 17, 2018

Welcome David W. James, Superintendent Greetings Patrick L. Bravo, APS Board President Special Recognition Bruce Alexander, APS Board Member Ambassador Awards Ginger Baylor, Morgan Lasher and Lisa Mansfield, APS Board Members Shining Apple Awards Tim Miller, APS Board Member Marilyn Parks Achievement Award David W. James Invocation Reverend Dr. Curtis T. Walker, Sr., APS Board Vice-President

Dinner – 6:45 p.m.

Introduction to Teacher of the Year Awards Jill Finegan, 2017 Teacher of the Year and Jennifer Walls, 2016 Teacher of the Year Building Teachers of the Year Awards Mary Outley-Kelly and Mark Black, Executive Directors, Elementary and Secondary Education Division Teachers of the Year Awards Mary Outley-Kelly and Mark Black Teacher of the Year Award David W. James and Dr. Ellen McWilliams-Woods, Assistant Superintendent, Curriculum and Instruction Closing David W. James and Dr. Ellen McWilliams-Woods

Music interlude by the East CLC Jazz Band 2 Akron Public Schools Awards

Special Teacher Recognition Cheryl Connolly, Brandi Davis, LaMonica Davis, Angela Harper, Danjile Henderson, Kristy Johnson, Philomena Vincente, Megan Lee-Wilfong, Michelle Marquess-Kearns and Dawn Wilson were honored by Mothers on a Mission during their 11th annual recognition event at the Community Fellowship Chapel, December 2017.

Dr. Erich Merkle was recognized as the Public Sector Psychologist of the Year for “outstanding contributions” of a psychologist practicing in the public sector, April 2017.

Dr. Erich Merkle also received the President’s Award from the Ohio Psychological Association, April 2018. This award is a meritorious honor from the President of the Ohio Psychological Association in recognition of “exceptional leadership and commitment” to both the practice of Ohio psychology and ongoing efforts to ensure collaboration between the Ohio Psychological Association and Ohio School Psychologists Association.

Ashley Pettit was recognized for being nominated as Summit County Rookie of the Year, October 2017.

Jennifer Walls was recognized as Summit County Teacher of the Year, October 2017.

Shining Apple Awards The Shining Apple honors go to teachers who are nominated by the top-ranking graduating senior at each high school who had the greatest influence on them. The teacher selected receives the Shining Apple Award. Each awardee receives a plaque, a $150 supply allocation for the 2018-2019 school year and a certificate.

Teacher Student Nominator Elizabeth Collins, Buchtel CLC Dierre Blash, Buchtel CLC Susan Schutte, East CLC Stashia Jones, East CLC Michael Householder, Firestone CLC Rebecca Beitko, Firestone CLC Stephanie Hardman, Hatton CLC Ciarra Shaffer,Ellet High School Daniel Casalinuovo, Helen Arnold CLC / Portage Path CLC Nia Clark, Akron Early College High School Steve Frantz, Jennings CLC Leah Stanevich, Kenmore-Garfield High School Benjamin Graber, NIHF STEM High School Camryn Woodley, NIHF STEM High School Krista Kolich, North High School Lucas Miller, North High School

2017 – 2018 Teacher of the Year Banquet 3 Awards

Marilyn Parks Lifetime Achievement Award The Starfish Marilyn Parks epitomized the word “teacher.” Throughout her career, Mrs. Parks An old man walked up a shore influenced thousands of children in Akron Public Schools. In May 2001, she littered with thousands of starfish, became the first recipient of the Akron Public Schools Lifetime Achievement beached and dying after a storm. Award. The award was renamed in her honor and is given annually. Mrs. Parks A young man was picking them up retold the story of the starfish countless times as she gave out starfish to and flinging them into the ocean. remind her friends of the difference they made in so many lives. “Why do you bother?” the old man Selection Committee: Tammy Brady, Loi Dang-Nguyen and Peggy Greiner scoffed. “You’re not saving enough to make a difference.” Nominees: “Made a difference to that one,” the Cynthia Acklin Ranay Hatherill young man said. Edith Bowers Nancy Ritch Cassandra Hanna Kathryn Robbins Past recipients 2017 Charles Jones, Jennings CLC 2009 Barbara Baltrinic, Ellet High School 2016 Judith Maver, Ellet High School 2008 Carol Reagan, Case Elementary 2015 Philomena Vincente, Leggett CLC 2007 Sylvia Baxter, Glover Elementary 2014 Patricia Gonzalez, King CLC 2006 Judith White, Firestone Park Elementary 2013 Toby Clifford, Glover CLC 2005 Debbie Deidrick, King Elementary 2012 Christine Hunt, Glover CLC 2004 Charlotte Szucs, Litchfield Middle School 2011 Sally Schneider, Firestone High School 2003 George Gould, Firestone High School 2010 Gwendolyn Bryant, Roswell Kent Middle School

4 Akron Public Schools Teacher of the Year Awards Building Teacher of the Year recipients may elect to participate in the Division Teacher of the Year program. Four elementary and four secondary Building Teachers of the Year are selected as Division Teachers of the Year. Selections are determined by a committee. Winners receive a Don Drumm sculpture, a monetary award for instructional supplies for the following school year and a certificate.

Elementary Martha Skinner, Barber CLC Kathryn Rodgers, Harris-Jackson CLC Jane Hazlett, Ritzman CLC Deborah Goldsmith-Toth, William Haynes, Hatton CLC Andrea Woods-Thurman, Betty Jane CLC Cynthia Price, Helen Arnold CLC Robinson CLC Cate Alexander, Case Elementary Stephanie Jensen, King CLC Callie Butcher, Sam Salem CLC Patricia McCluskey, Crouse CLC Lori Hurt, Leggett CLC Kimberly Joseph, Schumacher CLC Toni Roberts, David Hill CLC Pamela Brown, Mason CLC Leslie Naselsky, Seiberling CLC Jennifer Wicks, Findley CLC Jessica Gabor, McElbright CLC Kelly Krebs, Stewart/Essex ELP Jacqueline Rebillot, Firestone Ranay Hatherill, Pfeiffer Elementary Catherine Ball, Voris CLC Park Elementary Amy Taylor-Clark, Portage Path CLC Christina McMullen, Kathleen Jackson, Forest Hill CLC Nicole Villers, Resnik CLC Windemere CLC Cynthia Rochford, Glover CLC Kimberly Douglas, Rimer CLC

Secondary Heather Terry, Akron Alternative Grace Harrison, East CLC Rebecca Moga, Litchfield CLC Academy Rebecca Hixon, Ellet High School Sarah Appleby, Miller South VPA Bradley Scott, Akron Early College Dan Spak, Firestone CLC Sharon Kaffen,NIHF STEM High High School Kara Gooden, Hyre CLC School Kimberly Romanski-Zeffer, Bridges Amanda Boyd, Innes CLC Sherry Hankinson, NIHF STEM Learning Center Gus Farmakidis, Jennings CLC Middle School Teddy Nantambi Mwonyonyi, Kelsey Kent, Kenmore-Garfield Bruce Brown, North High School Buchtel CLC High School

2017 – 2018 Teacher of the Year Banquet 5 2018 DivisionFinalists

Division Teacher of the Year Awards – Elementary Selection committee: John Dawson, Keith Liechty, Aaron Markovic and Mary Outley-Kelly

Leslie Naselsky Cynthia Rochford Nicole Villers Jennifer Wicks Seiberling CLC Glover CLC Resnik CLC Findley CLC

Division Teacher of the Year Awards – Secondary Selection committee: John Biltz, Mark Black, Tammy Casalinova, Yvonne Culver and Crissy Sims

Kara Gooden Rebecca Hixon Rebecca Moga Daniel Spak Hyre CLC Ellet High School Litchfield CLC Firestone CLC

6 Akron Public Schools PastRecipients

Teacher of the Year 2017 Jill Finegan, King CLC 2003 Cynthia Mathias, Firestone High School 2016 Jennifer Walls, Firestone High School 2002 Loi Dang-Nguyen, Portage Path Elementary School 2015 Alyse Clark, NIHF STEM High School 2001 Andrew Maluke, Hatton Elementary School 2014 Ron Boldry, Ellet High School 2000 Co-winners: Alyse Clark, Buchtel High School, 2013 Timothy Zolyniak, East CLC Janice Gill, Litchfield Middle School 2012 Dr. Darlene Hensley, Akron Early College 1999 Edith Bowers, Resnik Elementary School 2011 John Bennett, Portage Path CLC 1998 Nicki Embly, Rimer Elementary School 2010 Jacqueline Bailey, Perkins Middle School 1997 Colleen Longville, Schumacher Elementary School 2009 Mary Anne Cort, Helen Arnold CLC 1996 Shirley Custer, Resnik Elementary School 2008 Dorothea Dingle, Stewart Africentric School 1995 Vicky Snyder, Firestone High School 2007 Teresa Noland, Glover Elementary School 1994 Susan Price, Leggett Elementary School 2006 Mary Jo Hoffman, Resnik CLC 1993 Patricia Belcher, Leggett Elementary School 2005 Kelli Moles, Seiberling Elementary School 1992 Lynda Dobbins, Kenmore High School 2004 Susan Rhoades, Ellet High School

Teacher of the Year is selected by previous recipients. This year’s selection committee: Jacqueline Bailey, Ron Boldry, Alyse Clark, Jill Finegan and Jennifer Walls

2017 – 2018 Teacher of the Year Banquet 7 Donors: Akron Public Schools is grateful to the following donors for their support of our annual Teacher Recognition event. Akron Education Association Akron School Administrators Association CDWG Kent State University The LeBron James Family Foundation Staircase Florist The University of Akron Entertainment: A special thank you to teacher Kelly Ward and the East CLC Jazz Band: Saxes Trumpets Trombones Rhythm Section Kyrice Brunson Lawrence Charlton Hunter Herrlinger Drums: Kijana Rogers Logan Chaplin Dillon Handy Michael Scott Guitar: Connor Yost Jacob Puzakulics Garret Swain Bethany Tucker Matthew Waskey Special thanks: A special thank you to teacher Malia Tschantz for her creative direction in the lapel pin art for all teachers. Malia Tschantz’s 6th and 7th grade Miller South VPA students: Kaziamiera Bethel William Huber Rocco Motta Delilah Sphapmixay Madison Curto Lydia Jones Eva Nixon Lauren Stoller Janja Djuric Ella Julien Carley Orosz Cincere Terry Vuk Djuric Haley Kear Amelia Paredes Makayla Ulery Nadia Edgar Ella Lawrance Jasmine Robles Xavier Van Liew Tai Fillingame Trinity Levy Lacey Rule Marisa Varner Scemore Gaines Clara MacPherson Michael Simpkins Annalynda Zambrano Skylar Giles Sloane McCormick Amyna Sphapmixay

Akron Board of Education Patrick L. Bravo, President Rev. Dr. Curtis T. Walker, Sr., Vice-President Bruce Alexander Ginger Baylor 70 N. Broadway, Akron, OH 44308 | 330.761.1661 Morgan Lasher Lisa Mansfield akronschools.com Tim Miller Copyright 2018 Akron Public Schools David W. James, Superintendent The Akron Board of Education does not unlawfully discriminate on the basis of race, color, religion, national origin, creed or ancestry, age, gender, marital status, or Ryan Pendleton, Treasurer/CFO disability in employment or in its education program activities.