Brandon Twp.-After more than 33 years as an elementary teacher culminated by a nomination for Oakland County teacher of the year, a local teaching icon says this will be her last year.
‘It was all farm county when I first came to Brandon,? said Diane Pich, Harvey-Swanson elementary third grade teacher. ‘There was no McDonald’s here, it was pretty rural, a lot of my students had to care for animals on the farm before school. Times have changed, the community has changed, students have changed.?
Pich was awarded Outstanding Elementary Teacher in the Brandon School District at the school board meeting on Monday night and will now represent the district for the Oakland County Outstanding Teacher of the Year Award.
The Oakland County Outstanding Teacher of the Year Awards are presented each year to honor and reward teachers in the Oakland County area who have achieved, through their effort and example, the highest standards of excellence in their profession. A total of three teachers will be selected to receive the Oakland County Outstanding Teacher of the Year Award, that includes a cash prize and a recognition event on May 4, 2005 at Oakland Schools. Pich is the only nominee from Brandon.
She announced her retirement on Tuesday.
‘When I was 6 years old I was motivated by my first grade teacher Mrs. Black to become a teacher,? said Pich. ‘So, it’s been there for me my whole life, I’ve truly enjoy teaching but this will be my last year and I’ll retire at the end of the school year.?
‘Kids are important and they all need tender loving care,? said Pich. The common thread for a teacher is being a caring person. We have so many families that are separated or divorced today, it takes everyone to look out for the best interest of the students.?
Pich has taught in the Brandon School District for more than 30 years including, H.T.Burt Elementary, first grade 1972-78; reading specialist 1978-82; first and second grade 1982-1988; Harvey-Swanson Elementary second grade 1988-89; H.T. Burt Elementary second and third grades 1989-94 and Harvey-Swanson Elementary third grade 1994-present.
She earned a Bachelors of Science from Eastern Michigan University in 1971 and master’s degree in 1977.
‘She’s a master teacher,? said Helen Clemetsen, Harvey-Swanson principal. ‘She’s all about commitment to the students.?