New Philadelphia Schools hold staff recognition banquet
May 12, 2011
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In conjunction with National Education Week, the New Philadelphia board of education recognized school employees who have dedicated their careers to educate area youth. The following staff members received recognition May 4, at the 15th annual Staff Recognition Banquet. Superintendent Bob Alsept served as master of ceremonies. Tributes to retirees and honorees were made by Alsept and building principals and supervisors Doug Baker, John Zucal, Sallie Stroup, and Donna Edwards. Cindy Jones, food service supervisor, and Julia Espenschied, transportation supervisor, also honored their staff members.
The following retirees were honored:
John Carruthers, buildings and grounds supervisor, 31 years with the district
Glenn Davis, Grade four teacher with the district, also taught at South and Welty Middle
Constance Evans, high school and district librarian, with New Philadelphia Schools 10 years
Maureen Wittler, special services director, three years with the district.
Mary Ellen Hall, Welty Middle School secretary, with the district 30 years
Amy Welch, bus driver
Carol Yoss and Denise Gilmore, food service department
(Retirees that did not attend the banquet: Judi Dummermuth, intervention specialist at South Elementary; Karen Munitz, South second grade; Thelma Murphy, buildings and grounds; Jason Young, high school mathematics; Sue Carlisle, administrative secretary; and Dale Zeiger, bus driver)
Connie Evans was honored at the banquet as District Educator of the Year.
Connie Williams Evans graduated in 1970 from Uniontown High School in Uniontown, Pa., and received her Bachelor of Science degree in secondary education English from California University of PA in 1974. She began her 36 years as an Ohio educator at Sheridan High School in Thornville. By 1986, she and her family had moved to New Philadelphia where she began teaching high school English at Tusky Valley High School. While at Tusky Valley she was named a Martha Holden Jennings Scholar. Throughout her teaching career, Connie has served as student advisor for a variety of school clubs and activities.
In 1999, she received her Master of Library Science degree from Kent State University and in 2001 she accepted the position as New Philadelphia High School school librarian. As NPHS school librarian, Connie has served on the ODE Academic Content Standards committee for libraries and is presently a member of the INFOhio Governing Advisory Board. Her passion in promoting reading, information literacy, and electronic resources to students and staff has been the basis of her leadership for the NP school libraries during her time there.
Connie and the late Dan Evans son, Scott, a graduate of Tusky Valley, lives and resides in Lebanon, Ohio, where he is a practicing attorney.
Janie King, ESL (English as a Second Language) teacher aide, was recognized as Support Staff Employee of the Year.
Janie was born in Northwest Texas and learned to speak Spanish in her home. She moved to Ohio when she was 10 years old. Her family opened several restaurants and she worked with her family in the restaurant business for more than 30 years. Even though she was fluent in speaking Spanish, her father encouraged her to take Spanish for four years in high school. She then learned to read and write Spanish with great proficiency. Janie graduated from Alliance High School in 1978. While living in New Philadelphia, Mrs. Roni Leeper encouraged her to apply for the English as a Second Language position with the New Philadelphia Schools in 2001. At that time there was a need for interpreters due to the growing Hispanic population enrolled in the schools. Janie has served as an ESL aide for almost 10 years, and also has worked with the summer school program.
I never dreamed that I would enjoy working as a teachers aide in the school system so much and that I would grow a passion for helping the children, Janie said.
Staff members were recognized with 10 years with the district:
Constance Evans, Bob Gasser, Theresa Gilmore, Wendy Harrison, Jan Herron, Shanda Mushrush, Carisa Pryor, Mike Reese, Kelly Shimek, Doug Smith and Dani Wallick.
Staff members were recognized with 15 years with the district:
Tammy Eichel, Julia Kandel, Mary Miller, Marcia Shamel, Sallie Stroup, Brian Welfley, Shay Young.
Staff members were recognized with 20 years with the district:
Sandra Fuller, Greg Geib, Rebecca Pallotto, Marsha Reed, Chuck Rest and Steven Sherer.
Staff members were recognized with 25 years with the district:
Susan Bambeck, Imogene Compher, Annie Dalpiaz, Sandra Graham, Bill Immel, Jeff Locker, Mary McCahill, Judy McGill, Darlene Reese, Amy Robis, Carol Stutzman.
Staff members were recognized with 30 years with the district:
Sharon Egler, Rita Grasselli, Mary Ellen Hall, Mark Kordon and Denise Larkin.
Jim Fabiano was recognized with 35 years with the district.
Dinner music was provided by Linda France, pianist. Special thanks to Debbie Barr, who made nametags, McDonald-Marlite Center, Buckeye Career Center, Littys Cakes and the maintenance staff for their assistance. The event was coordinated by Charlyn Menapace, administrative secretary.
