Apples of their students' eyes
WARWICK — The Warwick Foundation for Excellence in Learning (WFEL) recently partnered with Noble Pies to run the Apple of My Eye contest to recognize exceptional teachers in the Warwick Valley School District.
Parents and students could nominate a teacher currently working in the district who were the “Apple of My Eye” to the parent or a student.
One teacher per school was chosen as a result of the submitted nominations and winners were awarded an apple pie which was donated by Noble Pies, Route 94 in Warwick.
Three selected
The winners were: Robert Kirschke (Sanfordville Elementary), Lisa Ramus (Park Elementary) and Lenora Shoock (Warwick Valley Middle School).
Robert Kirschke has taught in Warwick for 17 years and currently teaches PIE 4/5 at Sanfordville Elementary School.
He was nominated by parent Tara Cook who commended him for his ability to reach his students in ways that satisfy the curriculum in interesting ways.
“He takes the kids outside to learn science and math by measuring trees and finding leaves so that the kids don't even know they are doing science and math according to the standards set by the state," Cook wrote in her nomination. "They just think they are doing neat and interesting things.”
Lisa Ramus is a second grade teacher at Park Avenue Elementary School and has been a teacher in Warwick Valley for 26 years.
She was nominated by student Melina Garby.
“I think Mrs. Ramus is special because she is funny, she is understanding when her students don't understand something, she is kind, she cares about her students," Melina wrote. “Mrs. Ramus works hard to do her job very well and to make her students happy and she does it perfectly!”
Lenora Shoock is a fifth grade teacher at the Warwick Valley Middle School and has been with the district for 16 years.
She was nominated by her student Zachary Garby.
Aside from the fact that she doesn’t give a lot of homework, Zachary wrote that he enjoys the many “cool labs” Shoock does in science.
“Most importantly, she loves teaching," Zachary wrote. "This lady dedicates her life to teaching and making kids smart. I can see it in her eyes!”
Also nominated
The mission of the Warwick Foundation for Excellence in Learning is to acknowledge teachers who make a difference in our student's lives.
"Together with the owners of Noble Pies, we recognize all of the teachers and staff that were nominated in addition to Mr. Kirschke, Mrs. Ramus and Mrs. Shoock: Melissa Sobotor, Nancy Nachtigal, Denise Guido and Christina Taylor from Sanfordville; Theresa Canfield and Patricia DuBois from Park; and Janine Mitchell and Tia Thomson from the Middle School, " Vanessa Holland, the chairwoman of the foundation wrote in the group's press release announcing the selections. "WFEL thanks you all for the difference you have made as part of the Warwick Valley Central School District.
Holland added that WFEL and the owners of Noble Pies, Leslie Noble and Tom Herman, plan to run the Apple of My Eye contest again this spring, hope to see even more nominations including nominations from the high school.
Essential information
To learn more about the Warwick Foundation for Excellence in Learning please visit the Facebook page at https://www.facebook.com/WFELNY and their website at www.wfelny.org.
To find out more about Noble Pies, call 845-986-7436 or visit their website http://www.noblepies.com.