
At the heart of what we love about our schools here in Mason are hard-working teachers and staff who regularly go the extra mile for our kids. This award is given annually to Mason teachers who exemplify the values of the Mason Schools Foundation by taking students “Above and Beyond”.
The annual award is traditionally given to two teachers (one elementary (K-6) and one secondary (7-12)) who exemplify the values of the Foundation by taking their students “Above and Beyond.” THIS YEAR – we will be granting one teacher from each building (MECC, ME, MI, MMS, MHS) this award. Each winner will receive a $250 grant to use during the next school year. Award winners will be announced in May and be recognized at the fall MSF Gala.
Process:
In the spring of each school year the Foundation will solicit nominations from the community for the award. Community members use this form to describe how this teacher takes his/her students “Above and Beyond” and return it to the Mason Schools Foundation.
- The Mason Schools Foundation will select the recipients at the May board meeting.
- Grants will be awarded during the Staff Appreciation event at the end of the year.
- Funding will be available at the beginning of the following school year.
- Recipients will be asked to submit a grant report form to the Grant committee indicating how he/she used the funds to benefit our Mason students.
Above & Beyond Teacher Award Winners 2022
Timothy King
Mason High School Teacher of the Year
Mr. King is loved by all and described as welcoming, kind, caring, funny, a genuinely good soul. Student Ashley Berry shared, “Everywhere he goes he brings happiness with him and makes the best out of any situation. He is so helpful and understanding and wants everyone to succeed.“ Classmate Domenica Marietta added, “He always goes the extra mile to make sure we understand what we are being taught and I can’t thank him enough for that.” Mr. King is known to adapt his teaching style to the needs of all of his students. He is very hands-on and follows their lead to determine the best way for his students to learn.
In addition to teaching junior English Mr. King leads Words from the Wild, an environmental literature course for seniors who love the great outdoors. It was touching to learn that when grading required journal entries Mr. King included a sheet of paper of his own. Kaylee Rennekamp went on to explain, “Throughout the year, he collects his thoughts of each student on the paper. He writes things such as why the student stands out to him or how he believes they will impact the world. Receiving these papers at the end of the class was one of the most heartwarming experiences I have had. He wants all of his students to know they are important and he goes out of his way to prove it.” Student Grace Major said, “Mr. King is a teacher I will look back on in future years and be grateful for being in his class.”
Mr. King and his wife Amy moved from Dayton to Mason 38 years ago where they raised their three children who all graduated from Mason High School. When not teaching, he enjoys spending time outdoors fly fishing, birding, hiking, and canoeing. Learning this made it clear why Mr. King was a perfect fit to teach Words from the Wild. Mr. King goes ‘Above and Beyond’ every single day and clearly exemplifies the values of the Mason Schools Foundation. It was our honor to recognize him as the 2022 Teacher of the Year!Congratulations, Mr. Timothy King!
Lisa Speiller
Mason Middle School Teacher of the Year
Mrs. Speiller was nominated for Teacher of the Year by a parent who went on to explain how impressed she was that in a large district Mrs. Speiller takes time to truly get to know each and every one of her students. More importantly she not only notices when they are thriving but also when they become withdrawn. It is known that Mrs. Speiller goes above and beyond to assure that her students are doing OK. She checks in with parents and other teachers to talk about any concerns that she has, to see if there are any patterns. “Parents don’t really know how their kids are at school but it is where they spend most of their time,” said parent Tonya Hartma. “I so appreciate Mrs. Speiller for going out of her way to do what is right, even when no one is watching.”
In addition to teaching language arts, Mrs. Speiller also serves as the chairperson of the One School, One Book Planning Committee, a program where students along with all staff members at the Middle School (including administrators, teachers, administrative assistants, food service employees, custodians, etc.) engage in a shared reading experience. Speak Up, Write Now! and Media MakerSpace are two elective courses at the Middle School that your student may have taken in the past. Mrs. Speiller also collaborated with a team to create these courses, which help students extend classroom skills and share their stories with an authentic audience. This is yet another example of Lisa Speiller not only going above and beyond inside of her classroom but outside of it as well. Congratulations, Mrs. Speiller!
Litty Mathai
Mason Intermediate School Teacher of the Year
Maggie Moschell
Mason Elementary School Teacher of the Year
Courtney Ryan
Mason Early Childhood Center Teacher of the Year
2019
Vance Reid – MHS
Monica Johnston – MECC
2018
Libby Beck – WR
Alissa Mahoney – MI
Laura Tonkin – MMS
Carol Lehman – MHS
2017
Micah Ewing – MHS
Christine Yoda – MI
2016
BJ Smallwood – MECC
Lazuta/Hillenmeyer Team – WR
Dee Dee Messer – MHS
Aimee Hansen – MHS
Lauren Richardson – MMS
2015
Kelly Gholz – WR
Amy Ortega – MHS
2014
Team Patriots- MI (Tereba, Grable, DeVore)
MMS Chorus—Debra Jones and Holly Schreier
2013
Sarah Flohr—MECC
Anne Tohey—MHS
2012
Mike Williams-WR
Susan Hannigan and Pam Tanghal-MMS
2011
Ali Green -WR
2010
Marylee Vennemeyer—WR
Jill Arminio—MMS
Original Above and Beyond Teacher
Deb Perry—MHS