Lake Orion schools, teachers receive multiple awards to start the year

Lake Orion schools, teachers receive multiple awards to start the year

By Jim Newell
Review Staff Writer
Students may have returned to class last week setting their sights on achieving good grades and recognition for their work, unaware that their teachers, administrators and support staff have been honored for their own excellence in the district.
During a welcome back ceremony for teachers and administrators Aug. 30 at the high school, Superintendent Marion Ginopolis announced 18 awards that the district received as a whole or for individual achievement.
“This is our year,” Ginopolis said. “I don’t know how to retire. I’m still here because I love this district and the people in this room.”
State Superintendent Brian Whiston sent a letter to the district (see page 6) commending Lake Orion as a “Notably Successful” school in a recent Michigan Education Finance Study.
Whiston also said Lake Orion was one of only 58 out of 540 public school districts in the state to meet the reports above average academic performance standard and one additional standard.
Additional achievements included:
Three teachers received tenure at Lake Orion Schools: Charise Antoniewicz, special education; Amanda Millier, Stadium Drive Elementary; and James Stuef, Lake Orion High School.
“We value performance as the most important step as people reach tenure, not just length of time,” Ginopolis said. “Thank you for what you’ve done for our students and for what you’ve done as educators.”
· Three educators were named Lake Orion Teachers of the Year: Eileen Murtaugh, fifth grade teacher at Webber Elementary; Jody Owens, seventh grade social studies teacher at Oakview Middle School; and Jennifer Howe, world language and ELA teacher at the high school.
· Heidi Mercer, assistant superintendent of teaching and learning, received the Service Award for School Administrators from the Michigan Association in Media Education (MAME), recognizing her influence, support and commitment to the district’s library program.
· Melissa Dalton was named the Michigan World Language Association’s “Middle School Teacher of the Year.” Dalton is a modern language instructor at Scripps Middle School.
· Eric Cummins from Scripps Middle School was selected as Band Teacher of the Year by the Michigan School Band and Orchestra Association.
· High school teacher Joshua Hosler was one of only 13 educators in the nation to win the 2015 Kennedy Center/Steven Sondheim Inspirational Teacher Award.
· Lake Orion received the International Literacy Association’s Exemplary Reading Program Award for 2016. The ILA was particularly impressed with the district’s early literacy intervention program. Tammy Oberle and Jillian Knapp accepted the award at a conference in Boston.
· Marysue Schwartzmiller received the Betty Campion Award for support staff at the district.
· Joseph Kann and Georganne Foster received the 2016 Oakland County Excellence in Transportation Award for bus drivers.
· Francie Robertson, fourth grade teacher at Pine Tree Elementary, received the Presidential Award for Excellence in Math and Science Teaching. She was honored at a ceremony at The White House in Washington, D.C. on Sept. 8.
· Andrea Brook, Outstanding Biology Teacher of the Year for the State of Michigan, by the National Association of Biology Teachers.
· Jeannine Crissman, Carpenter Elementary library specialist, awarded Michigan’s first “Model 21st Century School Library.”
Ginopolis also welcomed the new teachers joining the district, telling them, “You’ve chosen a very special place to work.”

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