Five Warwick teachers earn ‘Apple of My Eye’ awards

WARWICK — The Warwick Foundation for Excellence in Learning (WFEL) and Noble Pies announced this week the winners of the third annual “Apple of My Eye Contest” that recognizes exceptional teachers in the Warwick Valley School District.
More than 50 entries were received. Here are the results:
Park Avenue Elementary Six teachers were nominated. The recipient of the apple pie was Catherine Hobart, who was nominated by Ellis Dickerson.
“Ellis says he loves when Mrs. Hobart takes him to steam lab and that she teaches everyone about Chinese day, according to the WFEL press release detailing the awards. “His favorite is when Mrs. Hobart takes out Silly Sally and makes everyone laugh because Silly Sally does everything wrong. He loves when she makes him the shinning star of the day and that she always wishes him a good day. He also wants to write that her favorite color is pink and purple; he loves everything about her.”
In response, Hobart wrote: This is my 21st year teaching for WVCSD. I have always been passionate about reaching all learners. I view each and every student as a special individual. I am a huge advocate of the multi-sensory teaching approach. The sense of pride I gain from watching student’s learn is a feeling like no other. I thank Ellis for writing an essay about me. It is something I will always treasure.”
Sanfordville Elementary SchoolFourteen teachers were nominated. The winner was Lorna Nyland, who was nominated by Austin Tino.
In his essay, Austin wrote: “The apple of my eye is Mrs. Nyland. She teaches 4th grade. She is a special education teacher who teaches math, ELA, science and social studies. She is very nice and is the best teacher in the universe. At snack time on Wednesday she lets us play games like dominoes, board games, connect 4 and electronics. On Friday we went outside because it was Fun Friday. In science and social studies we went on the chrome books to see if we were right. We searched for information and wrote notes down on a piece of paper,and created presentations. Mrs. Nyland is the apple of my eye and in fourth grade we had the best year ever.”
Nyland responded to her nomination: “This is my sixteenth year teaching in Warwick Valley. Each year has been a new and exciting adventure. Building strong relationships and making learning fun has helped my students reach their goals. I am most excited when I see how proud my students are of themselves when they’ve worked hard to accomplish something.”
Warwick Valley Middle SchoolFourteen teachers were nominated. The recipient was Danielle Diglio, who was nominated by Junique Nicholls
Junique wrote: “I choose Mrs. Diglio as the apple of my eye because she inspires me to do well in all my classes and work hard. She teaches me AIS reading and writing. Her personality is extremely wonderful. She encourages me to push harder in my work. She makes sure I understand what I’m doing. She is caring, honest and helpful.
“Mrs. Diglio is the most kind and loving teacher anyone could meet. I’ve known her since sixth grade when I moved here from the Caribbean, and up to this day she is my favorite. My favorite memory with her is from sixth grade. She asked me a question, I responded and she,” Junique, I like your accent.”
“That’s the first time I ever spoke in her class. Therefore, Mrs. Diglio is the Apple of My Eye and she has motivated me to do well in school.”
Diglio responded to her nomination: “I have worked as a literacy specialist at the middle school for the last ten years. Prior to that I taught high school English at Clarkstown North for eight years. Throughout my 18 years of teaching, I have been incredibly lucky to work with wonderful students, like Junique, and to have had the privilege to watch them grow as learners and people. Very few professions grant the opportunity to genuinely make a difference in someone’s life; however, as teachers this is our daily charge. This responsibility is one that I am both grateful for and humbled by, and this responsibility is truly what teaching means to me.”
Warwick Valley High SchoolThree teachers were nominated in the STEM category. Michael Stolt received the apple pie. He was nominated by Anthony Gray.
In his nominating essay, Anthony wrote: “Mr. Stolt is the Apple of My Eye because he allows students to explore principals of engineering and computer guided manufacturing with very interesting hand-on projects that make learning difficult subject matter fun. He sparks curiosity and is enthusiastic about teaching his students with much care and concern. He has been an awesome inspiration and a positive role model in my life, so much so that I am planning to major in computer science in college and minor in entrepreneurship.”
Stolt responded: “This is my tenth year teaching and my third year teaching at Warwick High School. Teaching to me is all about making a difference for kids, helping them find their passion in life and supporting them along the way.”
Warwick Valley High School Susan Brofman, nominated by Gregory Knob, was the recipient in the Language and/or Arts category.
In his essay, Gregory wrote: ‘Mrs. Brofman has taught me so much more than just to apply my Spanish inside and outside the classroom. She taught me about a work ethic, study skills, interpersonal relationship skills and to simply believe in myself and not focus on other’s opinions of me. She’s taught me so much about who I want to be in life and I’m truly grateful to have had her as my teacher and I hope every student recognizes how much more they can learn from her besides Spanish.”
Brofman responded: “I have been teaching her for twenty years. To me, teaching is not only curriculum, it is being a part of the students’ lives. I enjoy hearing about their extra curricular activities and I like to go watch them when I can. And it is important for me to be here for students who need someone to turn to.”
For more information about the Warwick Foundation for Excellence in Learning, visit online at http://wfelny.org/.