Two teachers, staffer honored at MES
Sheila Baldwin, third-grade teacher, and Chad Adkins, sixth-grade teacher, were named co-Teachers of the Year for 2002-2003, at Marion Elementary School this week.
They were elected, in a tie vote, by their peers, teachers at the school.
Lori Kirkpatrick, kindergarten teachers' aide at MES for the past 16 years, was named Staff Support Person of the Year. She works with the two kindergarten teachers at MES.
All support staff and teachers voted in the choice of the Staff Support Person of the Year.
Baldwin has taught 12 years, starting at Goessel, and is in her fourth year at MES. She received her training at Panhandle (Okla.) State University.
Adkins is in his third year at the grade school, the only place he's taught. He received his degree and training at Emporia State University.
Baldwin said her goal, and what she tries to do that's special, is "to make sure I meet the needs of all students."
Adkins said his aim also was to meet the needs of all his students, "because all learn differently."
Kirkpatrick said of Baldwin and Adkins, "they both develop great relationships with the children." She said she knew, since as a parent, she has had children in both teachers' classes.
Kirkpatrick also served on the Marion High School Site Council one year, and is now serving on the MES Site Council. She has an associate degree from Butler County Community College.
Stan Ploutz, in his first year as principal at MES, said, "the school has 50 staff members — teachers and others. They all do a nice job."
Ploutz awarded the two teachers with old-fashioned looking desk bells, very pretty, gold-colored, metal with wooden handles.
Kirkpatrick's gift also was gold-toned: A large golden apple, made of metal, a desk ornament.
