Malibu teachers awarded for dedication to youth

Through its members, Optimist Clubs strive to bring out the best in children by working hands-on with them to help them realize and reach for their full potential. Optimist Clubs do this on a random basis by coordinating scholarship programs, hosting youth sports events and producing family-style festivals, among other things, that set the children in the right direction.

However, there are others who do this regularly, every weekday, for nine or more months per year. They are called teachers. The Malibu Optimist Club recently held its eighth annual teacher appreciation "Excellence in Education" program. Six teachers were awarded the "Teacher of the Year" at their respective Malibu schools.

The teachers were nominated by their school principals and honored by the Optimist Club with award plaques and $100 gift certificates to a local merchant. Congratulations to all.

Optimist Phil Gajic (far left) poses with (left to right) Susy R. Blair of Webster Elementary, Heather Russell of Our Lady of Malibu, Sandy Carter of Point Dume Marine, Julie Siegel of Juan Cabrillo Elementary, Juliacheri Hoos of Malibu Middle School, Henry Wadsworth of Malibu High School, Optimist Ken Kearsely and Optimist President Tarek Shraibati.

Thanks to the Malibu Optimist Club for the photo.

Optimist Club recognizes school principal with Friend of Youth Award

Every year the Optimist Club of Westfield, New Jersey honors someone who has given exemplary service to youth with the Friend of Youth Award. This year's honoree is Ms. Claudia Andreski, Principal, McKinley School.

Ms. Andreski was recognized as being a "remarkable role model" and someone "who has gone to great lengths to instill a lifelong love of learning and the importance of compassion and kindness to thousands of Westfield children."

She was awarded a plaque and a $250 donation was made to the McKinley School Fund in her name.

Recognizing teachers and school administrators is a great way to build relationships between Optimist Clubs and school districts so they will encourage their students to participate in Optimist International programs. Plus it brings attention to the people who spend so much time with our children in a positive, optimistic way.

Secondary teachers honored by Optimist Club

How awesome is this? Yesterday I said let's create an appreciation award for educators and holy smokes, I found out somebody has beat us to it! The Optimist Club of Westfield, New Jersey recognizes teachers every year. They specifically focus on intermediate school teachers. Here's the excerpt from the Westfield Patch.com:

Congratulations to Marc Biunno, a Language Arts and Journalism teacher at Roosevelt School, on being named one of the Westfield Optimist Club's Intermediate Teachers of the Year. Each year the club singles out a teacher from each middle school.Biunno was honored by the club and the Board of Education also noted his distinction by presenting him with a resolution at the recent WHS Annual Awards Night. He received additional recognition that night when Liz Griesmer, an 8th grader who is one of Biunno's Journalism students, read a speech she composed in honor of her teacher.

Congratulations to Mr. Biunno and colleagues and the Westfield Optimist Club for setting a positive example.

All honorees are shown in the picture above: Westfield BOE President Ginny Leiz (left) presented resolutions to: WHS teachers l-r: Louis De Angelo, Mabel Huynh, and Judith McLoughlin and EIS teacher Marnie Kirschenbaum and RIS teacher Marc Biunno.

A challenge to Optimist Clubs: Teacher Recognition

A thought came to me today as I was sifting through Optimist Club news looking for back-to-school topics which, by the way, so far have been very few. Optimist Clubs frequently recognize students, scholars and athletes, but very few recognize teachers and educators. I don't know of any that recognize classified or support personnel.

These certainly seem like missed opportunities. So today's post is more of a challenge for our Optimist Clubs. Let's do something to recognize teachers. Here are some thoughts:

• Hold an essay contest where the students nominate their favorite teacher.
• Hold a poster contest where the students draw their favorite teacher.
• Ask the PTA or PTO to help find the most inspirational teacher.
• Ask teachers to nominate their colleagues.
• Have the principal recommend likely candidates for teacher of the year.

One of the greatest things about Optimist Clubs is they have the ability to start-up and carry out meaningful programs. This one might be just the right thing for your community.

Do you have any suggestions for getting this program off the ground? What about prizes? What would be appropriate? Leave us your thoughts please, or send them to me at linda [at] newoptimistclub.com.