March 21, 2018

SVSU seeking nominations for ‘Heroes in Education’

Saginaw Valley State University is seeking nominations for its third annual Heroes in Education awards.

“Think for a moment about your child's most influential teacher,” said Craig Douglas, dean of SVSU’s College of Education. “That may be a person who should be nominated, but teachers aren’t the only heroes in schools. It could be the custodian who went out of her way to open a locker, or the secretary who helped bandage a scraped knee. All of these individuals are candidates for Heroes in Education recognition. We are looking for those educators who go above and beyond the call of duty."

Six educators will be selected for recognition from those nominated; nominations may be submitted by anyone. Students, parents, colleagues, and community volunteers have submitted nominations in the past.

Nomination forms are available online at http://www.svsu.edu/collegeofeducation/forms. Nominations must be received by 5 p.m. Thursday, March 29.

The 2018 recipients will be honored during a ceremony at SVSU Thursday, April 19 at 7 p.m.

The previous Heroes in Education recipients are:

• Charles Arnett, band and orchestra teacher at Chandler Park Academy

• Sally Burkey, assistant cook at Freeland High School

• Jerry Carmien, service worker at Kolb Elementary School in Bay City

• Kelly Frank, teacher at Tawas Middle School

• Scott Garcia, custodian at Genesee STEM Academy

• Katie Jenkins, teacher at Carrie Knause Early Childhood Learning Center in St. Louis

• Gary Karney, teacher at List Elementary School in Frankenmuth

• Kathryn (Kathy)Layer, teacher at Great Beginnings Childcare in Saginaw

• Joseph Peet, teacher at Kingston Elementary School

• Lawanda Purches-Waller, parent liaison at Genesee STEM Academy in Flint

• Todd Switala, coach and volunteer at Sterling Elementary School

• Everton Williams, director of operations at Pontiac Academy for Excellence