Morin Awards: Four D153 staff members honored for excellence

Four Homewood School District 153 staff members were presented with The Jerry Morin Educational Excellence Award at the Oct. 15 Board of Education meeting. This year’s recipients were Deb Clark, Cindy Gdalman, Michael Klein and Mary Markert.

 

Four Homewood District 153 staff members were presented with The Jerry Morin Educational Excellence Award at the Oct. 15 Board of Education meeting. This year’s recipients were Deb Clark, Cindy Gdalman, Michael Klein and Mary Markert.

Board President Shelly Marks said former board member Jerry Morin, for whom the award is named, was an advocate for hiring and retaining the best and brightest staff in order to maintain the district’s tradition of excellence.

Churchill School Principal Nikki Kerr introduced Clark, who has been with the district for more than 21 years. Kerr noted that before becoming an administrator she taught third grade alongside Clark and learned a great deal from her.

“Deb believes that all of her students can learn at high levels, and puts in whatever support is needed for them to succeed,” Kerr said. “She really believes in all kids … no matter who they are, no matter what struggles they have. She believes in them and they in turn believe in themselves.”

Willow School Principal Melissa Lawson introduced Gdalman, who teaches music and has been with the district for 20 years. 

“She is the heart of Willow School,” Lawson said. “She gets all of our kids. They dance with her and they play instruments with her and they sing with her.”

Lawson noted that music class can be scary and embarrassing for people who have little talent for it, but Gdalman makes the class fun for all her kids, introducing them to ukelele, drumming, singing and even sneaking music theory lessons in.

James Hart School Principal Scott McAlister introduced eighth-grade social studies teacher Michael Klein, who served as principal before McAlister took the job six years ago.

“Michael realized that his heart and passion was in being a classroom teacher, so he got out of administration,” McAlister said. “We were fortunate enough to be able to hire him as a teacher. He is a rare talent, one of those people that if I were to start my own school from scratch he would be one of the teachers I would want to take with me.”

He said evidence of Klein’s character could be found in the way he coaches, using the same manner whether the team is undefeated or winless, encouraging student athletes to develop skills and sportsmanship.

Superintendent Dale Mitchell introduced Markert, who has been with the district since 2002 in a variety of roles, including supervisor, registrar and transportation and operations coordinator.

“Mary exemplifies what Jerry meant by this award,” Mitchell said. “Mary is the ultimate team player. She manages everything with a smile. She is someone I can count on to do whatever it takes for our district and for our kids. Without Mary, we would not be as strong as we are.”