April 29, 2016 -- The U.S. Army War College and Carlisle Barracks expressed profound gratitude towards educators at the annual Excellence in Education Reception at Quarters One on post, Thursday.
These honorees are selected for their commitment to education especially for their efforts to ease the transition of military children. Maj. Gen. William Rapp, U.S. Army War College Commandant, hosted the Excellence in Education Reception in his home, to honor the exceptional principals, teachers, and counselors whose work on behalf of all school children includes attention to support to military children.
“Thank you for what you do and how you do it by taking our children into your schools,” said Rapp. “I know the burden it puts on you having new kids show up every year, but that is the life of military children. Thank you for your understanding and making them feel part of your educational experience at your schools,” he said.
The key speaker for the event, Col. Bryan Hernandez, is both a student at the Army War College and a parent of students attending school in the Cumberland Valley.
“I will tell you that education is one of the most important things for us,” said Hernandez, on behalf of military parents. “With all the turbulence we have in our military life, to make sure the life of our children are as stable and normal as possible is absolutely imperative. An event like this allows us to talk with educators not only in Carlisle but in the surrounding area as well about unique things we do here at the War College and military as well.”
“Do not pity our children,” he said. “They are a phenomenal group of Americans that have learned a lot of tough lessons in life. Challenge them, make them feel part of the team.”
Richard Fry, Big Springs School District Superintendent, said he was thankful that the War College took time to honor local educators, including four from his district.
“We are extremely grateful that the Army War College chooses to reach out and partner with local school districts,” Fry said. “It makes it a lot easier, it helps us help them, and helps them help us.”
John Friend, Carlisle Area School District Superintendent, pointed out the mutual benefits of the district’s relationship with the Army War College.
“We are just very blessed to be able to have all these children come to our district because it adds such a rich cultural background,” said Friend. “Most of the children have been educated and lived all over the world and bringing them to Carlisle helps our student body.”
The honorees were identified by the superintendents of Big Spring, Carlisle, Cumberland Valley, Mechanicsburg and Saint Patrick’s School, Trinity and South Middleton school districts. Those selected are listed below:
Big Spring School District honored educators are teachers Clariss Nace, Sarah Roller, Emily Creek; and counselor Josilyn Kraus.
Selected from the Carlisle Area School District are teachers Alicia DeAngelis, Greg Richards, Seng Pham, Kevin Wagner; along with Sue Scott, in management services; Amy Knapp, counselor, ESL/French teacher Deborah Masland and NHS teacher Maria Kunisky.
From Cumberland Valley School District are Beverly Wilson, director of special education; assistant superintendent of secondary education Gary Quigley; Dr. Patty Hillery, assistant superintendent elementary education; counselor Eric Landis; and teacher Jamie Bittinger.
Mechanicsburg Area School District honorees are teachers Kathi Kunkel, Kristi Brown and Mary Lehman.
Saint Patrick School honorees included Kathleen Hawkins administrative assistant and teacher Antoinette Creason.
Trinity High School top educators are Gregg Pankake, director of technology, and Eileen Poplaski, vice principal.
South Middleton School District nominated Connie Connolly, director of Special Education; counselors Aron Kunkel and Patricia Alichwer; and teacher Lindsey Graybill.
| Date Taken: | 04.29.2016 |
| Date Posted: | 02.24.2017 08:03 |
| Story ID: | 224689 |
| Location: | CARLISLE BARRACKS, PENNSYLVANIA, US |
| Web Views: | 96 |
| Downloads: | 0 |
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