By Megan Kelley
Review Writer
Lake Orion Community Schools takes pride in its staff throughout the district.
Every year, the district honors one teacher from each level — elementary, middle and high school levels — as Teacher of the Year.
Stadium Drive Elementary Principal Rob Murray gathered his teaching staff in the library to announce the winner of the Elementary School Teacher of the Year on Feb. 4.
Faculty applauded as Kindergarten teacher Erin Kawamoto learned that she had been named the elementary level Teacher of the Year in LOCS and would also be the district representative for elementary level education. Her family was also there to celebrate with her.
“I’ve been at this building for, I believe 16 years…this is my home away from home,” Kawamoto said.
“It’s clear that she cares deeply for her students, which is key, especially at the kindergarten level,” said Murray. “She’s also a consummate colleague, mentoring one of our other kindergarten teachers, and is full of content knowledge and is a master teacher.”
Later that same week, Waldon Middle School staff filled their school library to celebrate the middle school level Teacher of the Year.
Nick Coccia was shocked as Randy Groya, Principal of Waldon Middle School, announced that he was named the district’s middle school Teacher of the Year.
“Not only has Nick served as a coach in our district, a department chair, several commitees, dunk tank volunteer, never one to be afraid to look the fool at assemblys, as track events…he still has time to connect, engage and build relationships with students,” Groya said. “Nick Coccia is not just a teacher, he is a teacher.”
Groya also read aloud some of the things people had written when they nominated Coccia.
“This year it was a no-brainer, we had so many students, parents and staff members that had nominated Nick, it was a no-brainer for us,” said Groya.
“It’s great to hear the really positive things,” Coccia said. “We don’t really take time to recognize what each and everyone of these folks are doing but they’re all doing really great things.”
Finally, a week later, Lake Orion High School teachers headed to the school’s KIVA for the announcement of the high school level Teacher of the Year.
Principal Steve Hawley thanked all the nominees before naming Dave Whitaker as LOCS high school Teacher of the Year.
Whitaker’s wife, mother and three children were also present.
“He has been doing good work down with the phys. ed. department for years and years and we could not be more proud,” said Hawley.
Several other high school teachers took the opportunity to speak about Whitaker.
“He’s caring, he takes time in his class, he adjusts curriculum constantly, he makes sure he’s meeting the needs of all of his kids, and his students love him for that,” said Kevin Kopec LOHS Economics teacher.
LOHS’s resident jokester and Government teacher Andy Schramek had teachers present Whitaker with sports equipment, telling him they had created five days worth of lesson plans.
“There’s a basketball, a softball, some wiffleballs, a bat and a dodgeball; we don’t need thanks or anything like that,” Schramek joked.
Peggy Picklo LOHS’s Special Education Professional spoke toward Whitaker’s work with the special needs students at LOHS.
“He has touched so many lives with his ability to show compassion to everyone he works with,” she said. “Dave has shared with us…that teaching special needs students has made him a better teacher, father, husband and person. Thank you for always being selfless and being a positive rolemodel for our students.”
“I’m humbled, truly, just to be nominated,” Whitaker said. “There’s so many deserving people, everybody in this room is really Teacher of the Year.”