Each Warsaw Community School Corp. school and department nominates one employee for support, special services or teacher of the year honors. From that pool, one person in each category is then chosen as employee or teacher of the year. Friday, those honors were announced at the WCS’s 2012-13 “Welcome Back to School” and “Staff of the Year Recognition” program at the Warsaw Community High School Performing Arts Center. During the program, instructional assistant Emiline Secaur was recognized as the 2012 District Support Employee of the Year. According to information read by Wendy Long, Secaur is a Title I instructional assistant who, according to Lincoln Elementary School Principal Cathy Snyder, is a “joy.” She is always smiling, whether patrolling sidewalks during the rain, monitoring recess in the snow, preparing posters and displays in the hallways or teaching students to become better readers. She demonstrates a servant attitude in her position. Other support employees of the year, their schools and positions include: Gale Burkhart, Harrison, custodian; Michael Castle, Warsaw Area Career Center, custodian; Linda Getz, Eisenhower, cashier/office secretary; Susan Green, Washington, instructional assistant; Leona Griffith, Leesburg, special education assistant; Kim Grubbs, transportation, mechanic; Tammy Leek, Edgewood, administrative assistant; Marcia Parker, Gateway Educational Center, administrative assistant; Marsha Sands, Claypool, school secretary; Peggy Sellers, maintenance, administrative assistant; Patricia Smith, Central Instructional Materials Center, administrative assistant/human resources; Ellen Stayer, WCHS, principal’s secretary; Dana Stogsdill, Jefferson, administrative assistant; Teresa Toney, Madison, instructional assistant; and Glen Yoder, Lakeview, head custodian. Julie Bauer was recognized as the 2012 District Special Services Employee of the Year. Bauer is a counselor who says that “the most integral part of her job is people,” according to information read by Long. Two things make her want to go to work every day: the people and the students with whom she works, and the team atmosphere at her building. Edgewood Middle School Principal JoElla Smyth says Bauer is compassionate, genuine and concerned. She stands out as exceptional because she goes above and beyond her responsibilities to prioritize helping people. She is not one to stay in her office, but assists at lunch shifts, connects with students before and after school, and intervenes with she notices students becoming upset, angry or lost. She is respected by her colleagues and is a vital member of Edgewood, according to the information. Other special services employees of the year, their schools and positions include: Karleen Brennan, Leesburg, nurse; Jennifer Byall, Madison, nurse; Diane Coffin, Harrison, nurse; Deron Datzman, Eisenhower, mental health therapist; Jeanine DeGeeter, WCHS, nurse; Elizabeth Hann, Claypool, speech therapist; and Diana Yarian, WACC, CTE program specialist. Jeff Grose, Long announced, is the 2012 WCS District Teacher of the Year. He believes that the most important part of his job is forming positive relationships with his students, knowing how to teach his subject and helping students learn to apply what has been taught, according to Long’s information. Students say Grose deepened their knowledge and excited their curiosity to learn more, stayed after school for independent study work and encouraged them to think critically and develop their own opinions. “He is disciplined, passionate, fun, fair and approachable!” Long read. Troy Akers, WCHS principal, described Grose as a teacher and leader who collaborates with and inspires peers, is committed to the community and is invested in the lives of students. “He is a great man, a great teacher and a great leader!” according to the information. Other teachers of the year, their schools and positions include: Katherine Abshagen, Lincoln, sixth grade; Julie Bishopp, Leesburg, third grade; Peggy Burgher, Jefferson, first grade; Matt Deeds, Lakeview, seventh-grade language arts and reading, recently named assistant principal; Amanda Esterline, Claypool, first grade; Marsha Kilgore, Eisenhower, kindergarten; Lisa King, Washington, third grade; Debra McClintock, Harrison, second grade; Renee Parker, Madison, special education; Abigail Slone, Gateway Educational Center; MRAP; Stephen Waldeck, WACC, business and information technology; and Nicholas Walenga, Edgewood, industrial technology.
