Each year the Copley-Fairlawn PTA selects building level teachers of the year and from that list selects the Educator of the Year for the district. The 2010-2011 PTA Educators of the Year are recognized here. The teacher descriptions are courtesy of the individual Copley-Fairlawn City Schools building PTA’s:
Suzanne Crouse: 2010-2011 Arrowhead Educator of the Year!
The Arrowhead Primary School nominated Suzanne Crouse as our 2010 -2011 Outstanding Educator.
Mrs. Crouse obtained her Bachelor’s degree in Elementary Education from the University of Akron, and has a Master’s degree in Classroom Guidance from Kent State. Even more impressive than this, she has been teaching in theCopley Fairlawn City Schools for 35 years! She taught at Herberich and Indian Springs before she found her “home” at Arrowhead, first as a third grade teacher, then as a 4th grade teacher for an amazing 26 years!
Mrs. Crouse goes far beyond the standard requirements of her work. Her Innovative Economic and Poetry Units have been separately recognized by the State. For 10 years she was Director of “Arrowhead News”, a weekly filmed and telecast student news program. One of her basic character focus areas is citizenship, and for the last 12 years she has lead the school’s annual Veterans Day Assembly, performed by all fourth grade classes, which is enjoyed by the entire school and our local Veterans who happily attend each year.
Mrs. Crouse has received numerous awards and honors throughout her career, the most recent being the VFW’s National Citizens Education Teacher Post Award, and the Copley Veterans Acknowledgement Award.Mrs. Crouse’s most impressive qualification for this award may be her broad focus on the whole child, not just the facts, figures, and knowledge skills they will need in life. She is fair, caring, encouraging, and makes learning fun. She challenges each child in the classroom, no matter their ability.
In her own words: “The foundation of learning is self-confidence. When that has been instilled in a child, and they believe their dreams can come true, then they become lifelong learners. . . . . Academic standards are taught, but perhaps more meaningful are those teachable moments when character traits can be established, citizenship practiced, or nature appreciated. . . . . My goal is that they leave my classroom with well-developed work habits, the ability to make good decisions, and a love of learning.”
In the word of her nominator: “Mrs. Crouse also teaches her students the importance on contributing to their school community through involvement. Her students are responsible for daily and weekly activities such as raising and lower the flag, putting the chairs up in the library and collecting and recycling from every classroom at Arrowhead.” She has volunteered for the past 30 years at the carpool line to help get kids safely into their cars –rain or shine. The Arrowhead PTA is understandably proud to announce Mrs. Crouse as our Outstanding Educator.
Meredith Morgan: 2010-2011 Fort Island Educator of the Year!
Fort Island is pleased to announce the Outstanding Educator of 2010-2011 is second grade teacher Meredith Morgan.
She has been both a wonderful educator and instrumental force in many of the programs at Fort Island. Ms. Morgan began her career as a substitute teacher for the Kent City Schools. In 1999, she joined the Copley-Fairlawn Schools as an Enrichment Tutor. She has been a second grade teacher at Ft. Island since 2000.
Since that time, her focus has been on teaching her students to have enthusiasm for life and learning. One of her core beliefs is that children need to connect with the natural world. With that philosophy in mind, she has created several educational programs.
She developed a Winter Outdoor Education Day, where students go outside during the winter months and experience what nature is like during that time and how it is different from the other seasons. She has also been known to take her classes snow-shoeing.
Ms. Morgan, with the help of a few others, started and still maintains the Second Grade Garden. This garden is important in teaching her students not only how things grow, but the responsibility of taking care of a garden. She is always looking for opportunities for her students to learn the importance of our environment and how to take care of it.
She also hosts an Overnight Experience at her house. This fun camp-out is just another way she gets her students to interact with and appreciate their surroundings. She is also known for extra time she spends outside the classroom going to non-schooling events of her students.
Ms. Morgan is also well-know for her caring teaching methods. She stays late on many occasions to help tutor a struggling student. All of her graded papers include notes of praise and encouragement. These notes are appreciated by both students and parents.
Here are just a few of the comments that parents have made:
- “The whole school and district are lucky to have Ms. Morgan at Fort Island Primary School.”
- “Not only does she teach her students their second grade studies, but she instills the amazing gift of self-worth and confidence – confidence to learn, confidence to try and confidence to fail and try again.”
- “We have been amazed with her constant attention to detail and we have never had a teacher that communicated so well about our child’s education and well being.”
- “Again and again, she goes above and beyond to bolster the self-esteem of kids, their education and their love of our world.
Meredith Morgan is very deserving of the Educator of the Year Award for the things she does not only for her students in the classroom, but beyond as well.
Ashley Kimberlin: 2010-2011 Herberich Primary School Educator of the Year!
Herberich is honored to name Ashley Kimberlin as our 2010-2011 Outstanding Educator. Miss Kimberlin has been Herberich’s ESL (English as a Second Language) teacher since the fall of 2007. In practice she goes far beyond teaching English to her students. She has implemented many innovative programs to help them learn about American culture and traditions and to help them feel comfortable in their new country. In October, the students do a pumpkin carving. In November, students and their families are treated to a traditional Thanksgiving feast with turkey, stuffing, sweet potatoes and all the trimmings. Frequently, Miss Kimberlin spends her own funds to provide enriching experiences to her students.
Miss Kimberlin plans and organizes an annual Multi-Cultural Fair for all Herberich families and some returning alumni. This exciting event gives ESL Families a chance to share their native foods, educate their classmates about their countries and showcase native culture by performing traditional songs and dances. Herberich students love the chance to learn about their classmates’ countries and try some of their favorite foods.
Other innovative programs include Reading Buddies, where 3rd & 4th grade ESL students improve their reading fluency by spending time twice a week reading to Kindergarten Plus students. 3rd & 4th graders also compile Writing Portfolios with samples of their written work. Miss Kimberlin publishes a monthly ESL newsletter which includes student contributions, student peer interviews and an interactive section for parents to write messages to their children.
Miss Kimberlin also serves as the advisor to Herberich Service Stars, leading 4th grade volunteers in school & community service. Outside school, she serves as a volunteer for Metroparks Serving Summit County and the Humane Society of Akron and is a member of the VFW #3383 Ladies Auxiliary.
Miss Kimberlin has a Bachelor of Science in Early Childhood Education and a Master of Arts in Elementary Education with Literacy Focus, both from the University of Akron. She has completed additional training as an Early Childhood Generalist, Reading Specialist, and in Teaching English to Speakers of Other Languages, also from the University of Akron. Her professional honors include an receiving an NEOEA Unity Grant for the Multicultural Fair and being a 3 time recipient of Award of Excellence from Praxis Series.
To summarize, from some of her nominations: “Miss Kimberlin goes above and beyond in her willingness to provide her ESL students meaningful, educational and fun learning experiences.” Another nomination notes: “I believe Miss Kimberlin reflects the outstanding educational qualities needed in this challenging world of education to prepare students as future world leaders.”
Jay Wise: 2010-2011 Copley-Fairlawn Middle School Educator of the Year!
Copley-Fairlawn Middle School is proud to announce Mr. Jay Wise as our Outstanding Educator for 2010.
Mr. Wise has been an 8th grade American History teacher for the past 11 years and has added 7th grade World History to his resume. Mr. Wise has a way of teaching that makes learning History interesting and FUN for all his students. He has a passion for History and his enthusiasm flows over to the classroom and his students on a daily basis.
Many of his past and current students say that Mr. Wise does more than teach from the textbook. By creating new and exciting ways to teach his students they are able to understand and remember important events that have made the world what it is today. Every day that Mr. Wise enters the building he demonstrates that he is devoted to each of his students’ education.
Mr. Wise has gone above and beyond in so many ways. He brings the Civil War to life with a reenactment on the football field. Volunteers come in to portray a real life battle and a canon is shot off as well. He also puts a lot of time and energy into CFMS annual Veterans Day assembly. He has also organized a field trip to Hale Farm to see what it was like on the Underground Railroad and has been the co-coordinator for the 8th grade trip to Washington D.C. These events take extra time to organize and leave a lasting impression on the students.
The teaching style Mr. Wise uses excites his students. Because of his passion he inspires and generates that excitement in his students. His students listen, comprehend and want to learn more. His fun and enthusiastic teaching style is an asset to CFMS and all the students lucky enough to have him as a teacher. The time has come to recognize Mr. Wise for his excellence in the classroom!
Mike Foster: 2010-2011 Copley High School Educator of the Year!
Copley High School’s Outstanding Educator is Mr. Mike Foster.
Mr. Foster teaches Music Theory, AP Music Theory, Symphonic Band and is the head band director here at CHS. He also helps with the Middle School bands and is at CFMS until 10:30 each morning. He has been a teacher in Copley for the past 5 years.
Under his leadership, the marching band has received three superior ratings at state contest. Two years ago, the Symphonic and Concert bands were awarded the honor of playing in Severance Hall in Cleveland. The Copley Bands were also recently chosen by the Cleveland Orchestra as a successful music program. Mr. Foster strives to make his students the best they can be and has set high standards and expectations for them.
Since his arrival at CHS, he has routinely chosen challenging music selections, more ambitious marching band programs and implemented longer band camps in the summer. His efforts have paid off as evidenced by the many trophies and awards won at marching band contests. Those of you that attend the high school football games will have noticed a popular new tradition started by Mr. Foster. The marching band plays the alma mater after each game while the football team and cheerleaders gather with the band at the end of the field to listen and sing along.
Mr. Foster enjoys his work because he loves the process of teaching music and because every day is different. He feels that Copley is a special place with the best parents and students around. He credits Copley’s great staff with having made him a better teacher and a better person for having worked with them.
Mr. Foster has an outgoing and energetic personality which serves him well as he has the unique job of inspiring over 600 music students every year. Mr. Foster works hard to establish a personal relationship with each one of them. As a teen, Mr. Foster loved school and felt that school was a safe haven. As a teacher, he strives to provide that same safe haven for his students. He works to make the band room a place where students feel welcome and not on guard. A place where they can be themselves— a second home.
Mr. Foster was nominated by numerous parents. One parent wrote: “As a band parent, I cannot begin to tell you how much Mr. Foster has influenced my kids and how deep of a mark he has left due to his dedication to teaching music, the relationship he establishes with his students and the self discipline that he requires of all of them. He is a great role model and he makes students want to excel in all that they do.”
Another parent noted that “Mr. Foster has a positive influence on everyone that he comes into contact with. I have seen Mr. Foster in the roles of a teacher, a friend to students, a supportive colleague and an advocate for the kids.”
Finally,: “Mr. Foster is responsible for a complete change in attitude in my child. Under his leadership, my student now loves band and talks about participating in it throughout high school. Mr. Foster is quick with praise and goes out of his way to tell you how your student is doing. I can’t imagine how he does this with the number of students that he teaches, but he finds time to chat with both parents and kids. He is one of those rare teachers who makes an impression on students and the lessons he teaches will last well beyond high school.”
Mike Foster was further honored as the Outstanding Educator of the Year for the entire district.