2019 Outstanding Galway Educator Award

2019 Outstanding Galway Educator Award
Posted on 06/19/2019

The Galway Teachers Association was pleased to present the 2019 Outstanding Galway Educator of the Year Award to Mrs. Beth DeLuca. Beth was surprised to receive the award at the annual Teacher Recognition Luncheon because she serves on the committee that plans the ceremony and had no idea she would be the recipient! The committee hid the announcement in a skit that mentioned some of the activities in which Beth is involved and cleverly showcased how creative, flexible, funny, and willing to say “yes” Beth is.

Mrs. DeLuca hears she is Educator of the Year

Beth DeLuca's reaction to being named Educator of the Year

Mrs. DeLuca was voted Educator of the Year by her colleagues because she is involved in so much at Galway CSD. Throughout her 20 years of service to the district, she:

  • Prepares students to succeed on the Global 10 Regents exam
  • Nurtures student interns who have an interest in education
  • Mentors new faculty members
  • Coordinates the annual 7th grade trip to Boston
  • Escorted the Class of 2018 on their trip to Washington D.C. (per their request)
  • Was the National Honor Society Teacher of the Year in 2017
  • Served on the Shared Decision Making Committee for multiple years
  • Coached cheerleading for multiple years
  • Was team leader for multiple years
  • Was the adviser for the middle school yearbook

Attendees at the Teacher Recognition Luncheon shared some of their own interactions with Beth. Mariann Gribben noted that three of the faculty members sitting at the table have children who were in Beth's classroom and how their children always spoke fondly of Beth. Junior Hannah Hoffman shared a memory she has of a story Beth tells, and how they all love her stories. Galway Retiree Peg Niforos read part of a letter sent by one of Beth’s former students, Ashley Fredericks, who is now a teacher herself. In the letter, Ashley shared how her experiences in Beth's classroom inspired her as a seventh grader and how grateful she is for Beth's mentorship during her senior year. 

Beth thanked everyone for the honor. She said she often feels as though she isn't doing enough and reflects on how she could do more. It meant a lot to her to hear how others perceive her as the hard-working, effective, magnanimous, fun teacher she hoped to be. She is grateful to have her professional family at Galway. 

Please click here for more pictures from the event. 

The Class of 2019 was proud to present the National Honor Society Teacher of the Year Award to Mrs. Elaine Vandenburgh. The seniors spoke glowingly about Mrs. Vandeburgh, who is retiring this year after 24 years of service to the district. 

Mrs. Vandenburg NHS Teacher of the Year 
Mrs. Vandenburg NHS Teacher of the Year

Congratulations to the following teachers who were also recognized at the event:  

Ben Jacaruso, Tenure
Allie Leonardo, Tenure
Christin Sickels, Tenure
Shauna Sitts, Tenure
Katrina Barr, 20 Years of Service
Beth DeLuca, 20 Years of Service
Carla Gload, 20 Years of Service
Kathy Morck, 20 Years of Service
Carol Remscheid, 20 Years of Service
Tina Grolley, 25 Years of Service
Brenda Peconie, 25 Years of Service
Mark Kalinkewicz, 30 Years of Service
Trevor Tripp, Outstanding GTA Service Award

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