Monroe district honors top staffers of the year

Christopher Lang, Correspondent, @topherlang2 | May 21, 2018 | MonroeNow

Board of Education members honored the district’s top employees for the school year by handing out teacher and educational professional service awards to two staff members in each school earlier this month.

“This is a special day for the Board of Education. It’s one of those days we get to honor the phenomenal staff that we have,” said Board of Education President Kathy Kolupanowich at the May 9 meeting. “This is even more special to the people who are being honored because you are being nominated by your peers, which is an honor on its own.”

The annual year-ending awards ceremony falls during National Teacher Appreciation Week. Prior to the school board meeting, the award recipients attended a private ceremony with the trustees and other district personnel and were treated to a dinner prepared by the culinary arts students.

“It gives us great honor and pleasure to introduce and to honor some of our finest teachers or the year and educational service professionals of the year,” said Superintendent Michael Kozak. “They are amazing and they have done amazing things.”

Honored at the meeting were Woodland school teacher Tricia Rutherford and service professional Maryann Procopio; Mill Lake teacher Jessica Mastoris and service professional Jodi Liebov; Oak Tree teacher Jon Boukema and service professional Michelle Baird; Brookside teacher Victoria DeCarlo and services professional Carly Collins; Barclay Brook teacher Bethany Duino and services professional Brenda Ogrodnick; Applegarth teacher Lauren Surick and services professional Patricia Dazos; Middle School teacher Elisa Bifulco and services professional Alicia Realmuto and High School teacher Elena Blake-Weber and services professional Erica Friedman.

Each of the staffers of the year received a plaque memorializing their achievement.

“Congratulations to all of our teachers of the year and educational services professionals of the year. It was an honor to share your special moment tonight,” said trustee Jill DeMaio. “I could see how much all of you love your jobs and the children you serve. Our district is so lucky to have you hear.”