The faculty and staff of the Tecumseh Local School District (TLSD) were celebrated for their service and achievements on May 26 in the Tecumseh High School auditorium. District Superintendent Norm Glismann and District Assistant Paula Crew took turns recognizing the over 300 individuals who work in Tecumseh’s five schools.

Board of Education members Mert Christmann and Corrine Scott attended the awards

The ceremony began with Glismann welcoming and thanking everyone at the ceremony, saying, “We had a good year, a positive year...Everything you do is important and each of you is critical in ensuring we have a smooth school year.”

Crew congratulated everyone on the completion of the new all-weather track at Tecumseh High School, with a special nod to Athletic Director Craig Eier.

Many mini-grant recipients were recognized. There were 15 teachers who won mini-grants from the Tecumseh Education Foundation and 24 who won mini-grants from the Tecumseh PTO. Mini-grants are awarded to promote student learning.

TLSD staff members who won other grants were recognized as well.

Ashlee Mischler (Intervention Specialist) and Laura Wright (MD teacher) won grants from the Springfield Rotary Club. Rachel Brown (Library/Media Specialist) and John Kame (Industrial Technology) were recognized for winning a $4,900 Lowe’s “Toolbox for Education” grant that will be used to create an advanced STEM laboratory and Maker Space in the THS library.

Tecumseh teachers were recognized for winning community awards for their excellence in teaching.

Mendy Leffel (Title I teacher) and Lisa Wells (Intervention Specialist) won New Carlisle Rotary Club’s Outstanding Teachers of the Year awards. Laura Wright (MD teacher) won the distinction of being a WDTN/River Valley Credit Union Teacher of the Month. Eighth grade science teachers, Angela Greene and Tonya Collinsworth were the winners of a Chautauqua award. MSgt Antonio Ruiz (AFJROTC) won a Community Builders Award from the New Carlisle Masonic Lodge #100.

Todd Vehorn was recognized for receiving Ohio’s only OAAE “Ideas Unlimited” award for his work in guiding Tecumseh’s Agricultural Education students during a renovation project on an old shed located on school property. The shed has been renovated into a barn and will be used for on-site housing for some of his students’ Supervised Agricultural Experience programs.

Crew also gave a nod to Bus Mechanics Steve Lokai and Ryan Brents for receiving excellent ratings during the annual state inspection. She also thanked members of the TLSD Wellness Committee for promoting healthier lifestyles among the faculty and staff.

Staff members who celebrated special “employment anniversaries” from 5 years up were given special recognition.

Celebrating 25 years of employment with TLSD are: A.J. Brandenburg (custodian), Dawn Cooper (4th grade), Bev Dalton (Special Ed Aide), Karen Fairchild (Secretary), Loretta Gellatly (3rd grade), Scott Herbert (Science), Amy Leighty (1st grade), Kimberly Rudd (5th grade), Tia Stryker (1st grade) and Pat Van Gorder (4th grade).

Staff members celebrating 30 years of employment with the district are Jana Flory (7th grade Language Arts), Deborah Myers (Payroll Assistant) and Michael Fischer (Custodian). Those celebrating 35 years with TLSD are Alice Berner (Bus driver) and Nancy Poling (Monitor-ALC).

Time was also taken to honor TLSD staff members who retired during the 2015-2016 school year. Retirees were honored with a variety of gifts, including a book of well-wishes and memories from colleagues and students. Those retiring include: Kathryn Asaro (4th grade; 31 years), Michael Fischer (Custodian; 30 years), Helen Mullins (Library Aide), Anna Naff (Monitor/Bus Aide; 21 years) and Debra Hall-Brandt (Bus Driver; 15 yrs). Hall-Brandt spoke a few words to fellow staff members, saying, “This is a bittersweet time for me. I’m excited about the new chapter I’m about to start, but I’ll miss my kids and co-workers...it’s been such a blessing and a great job for me to have.”

The ceremony ended with two TLSD staff members being awarded the highest honors the district bestows on its employees--the Teacher of the Year award and the Employee of the Year award.

Music Teacher, Amy Enloe, was named Tecumseh Local Schools’ “Teacher of the Year.” An excerpt from Enloe’s nomination letter was read to the audience, “(Enloe) is a breath of fresh air in any building she is in. Her expertise and hard work in the classroom are amazing to see. She goes above and beyond for her kids—from getting grants to buy musical instruments, to spending long hours putting together Christmas programs, she does it all. The students are taught with enthusiasm every day, (and she) provides proof every day for the necessity of the Arts in the schools.”

A shocked Enloe accepted her award, saying, “I have the best job ever, because I get to go and sing and play with kids every day all year. It’s just the most fun I can have and still get paid! Thanks for letting me do it here.”

Library Aide, Helen Mullins, was named the Tecumseh Local Schools’ “Employee of the Year.” Mullins’ nomination letter describes her as, “Having a sincere dedication to her job, her school, her colleagues, and her kids. She is often one of the last staff members to leave the building each day; and if there is an evening event she can be counted on to be present as well. She is extremely hard-working, dedicated, and knowledgeable. She sets high expectations for her students and has excellent classroom management skills. She loves her job, her kids, her colleagues, and this community. (Upon hearing of her retirement) we all wondered, ‘How will we ever find someone who will give as much as her, care as much as her, and get the kind of results as she does?’”

A visibly moved Mullins accepted her award by saying, “Thank you all for taking me in. It’s been 35 years since I started volunteering at Donnelsville... (Where I learned to put children and my love of books) together, and you have all given me this time to get it right. Thank you so much!”

The event ended with the distribution of 63 door prizes donated by the TLSD Administrative team.

Crew says she and the Superintendent’s Secretary, Mary Jane Kottmyer, planned the event. Crew states that she loves the celebration because it is a chance to “Recognize the whole staff, because every one of them contributes something to make this district awesome.”