Tooley honored with outstanding teacher award
As the faculty and staff of the Wooster City School District gathered in the high school’s Performing Arts Center for the district’s annual convocation on August 19, the work of a very special teacher who works with some very special students was singled out for recognition.Wooster High School intervention specialist Karen Tooley was named as the recipient of this year’s Ralph R. and Grace B. Jones Outstanding Teacher Award.
Jones Foundation representative Matt Long took the stage at Wooster High School to make the award presentation.
“We recognize a teacher from this building but for the first time, someone not in a traditional classroom environment,” said Long.
“Teaching anyone is a challenge, but I think that we all know that teaching special education classes is an especially challenging endeavor,” said Long. “It takes a very special person to teach special education and this year’s winner is just that – very special.”
Tooley, who is starting her 16th year in the Wooster City School District, received a standing ovation from her peers as she walked on to the stage to accept the award.
“As you can tell I’m a little surprised,” said an emotional Tooley.
Tooley described how she and husband John Tooley, who recently retired as the superintendent of the Wayne County Board of Developmental Disabilities, dedicated their lives to helping those with special education needs.
While she noted that when the pair “started out, we didn’t think of special education as a job that we felt would be our life mission.” Their lives have become just that.
“We have thought of it as more of a mission than just being a teacher, something we did for life,” said Tooley.
“This is such an honor,” Tooley said. “There are many other teachers in the district who do countless great things for our students and community. I’m sure it was a difficult choice, and I am very grateful for this recognition.
“To see a kid that has failed so much be able to do something successfully is what it’s all about,” said Tooley.
“Karen is very much deserving of this award,” said Wooster City School District Superintendent Michael Tefs. “She is 100 percent dedicated to her students and exemplifies the teaching – learning process. All of our students deserve a world-class education and Karen definitely makes that happen in her classroom.”
In its 11th year, the award, which was established by Wooster Glass founder Ralph Jones and his wife Grace, is intended to “recognize those teachers whose performance inside and outside of the classroom is well recognized not only by the school system but the greater Wayne County Community” said Long.
According to Long, the award consists of an unrestricted $5,000 cash stipend which has been funded by the Ralph R. and Grace B. Jones Foundation.
The winner of the Ralph R. and Grace B. Jones Outstanding Teacher Award is chosen by a selection committee consisting of local civic and business leaders.