Laker Way Award Winners for April
We’re all doing it, but please join us in congratulating all the staff members who were nominated for The Laker Way award for April 2018!
I would like to nominate Dave Brown for being someone that best exemplifies the Laker Way. I have been in a number of Dave's classes as a drop in guest and have noticed a fantastic learning environment. An environment that leads everyone that steps through his door on the path to success. He puts 110% into every lesson that he teaches and shows great passion towards the material and has the students engaged from the start of the bell. I have never been in a classroom where I have seen so much student interaction and student led discussion based off of minor questions that Dave will ask. His class is like an open dialogue (or story) with students that is ongoing and builds upon previous lessons and they see that as they go along. He doesn't give "notes" in the way that we got them but yet they get this in this open dialogue and they don't even realize that is happening. He is a genuinely caring and compassionate teacher and the kids see this and he works hard to make sure that they are all cared for and respected. He is a great colleague to work with and has been a great help to me personally. I couldn't have asked for a better mentor and I have already learned so much from him. He works on getting everyone involved in class on a day to day basis. He is a tireless worker and seeks to improve upon his way of teaching to effectively reach our students.
I would like to nominate Jim Barfield and Kevin Blowers. Anytime, I have asked them to help out, they are right there making sure my concerns are addressed. They go above and beyond and it is noticed and appreciated.
We would like to nominate Rick Garrett. We cannot speak highly enough about Rick's character and passion for teaching. He brings real-life applications into his teaching and provides opportunities outside the classroom as well. Rick will climb the highest mountain for his students...literally did that last year! He hiked one of the highest peaks in the Adirondack's with a group of AP Biology students. He has taken students to seminars at Cornell and SUNY-ESF, brought in guest speakers to his Biology and Ecology classes, and recently worked hard organizing the Biotechnology Day. He puts his heart and soul into his Environmental Club and Envirothon group. He is also the first to help out a colleague. There have been quite a few changes in the Science Department and he has voluntarily mentored teachers to help with the transition. There is no doubt why he was awarded New York State Master Teacher!
