May 2017 – Page 2 – KPBSD Communications Field Notes

Celebrate Colby Way, 2017 Kenai BP Teacher of Excellence!

“Something that I would like to share with my students is: You can lose every material item in your life, but no one can take your education. This was told to me by one of my favorite aunts (a professor at Millersville University in Pennsylvania). I have carried this advice with me through the proverbial thick and thin of life. If I could have my students take anything away from my class/ teachings is: you have to cherish your education and constantly improve and expand your education. The reason being, there will be times in life where the world seems to be against you, and the only thing you may be able to rely on is your own education. If you have continued to learn and grow, these tough times may not be as tough as they seem; due to one being able to use their prior knowledge and problem solving skills.” –Colby Way

Colby Way is one of two teachers at Port Graham School in a community of fewer than 200 people across Kachemak Bay, near Seldovia. He teaches all subjects to a wide range of ages, grades five through 12. He’s been a teacher for six years, five of which have been in Alaska.
Colby began teaching in Pennsylvania, after attending West Chester University and Lock Haven University. He fell in love with teaching 17 year ago, when he was put in charge of running the kindergarten-level swim lessons. He says, “Teaching a child to do something they will know for the rest of their life sparked my interest. I was hooked.”
When he began his teacher career in earnest, Colby and his wife spent a year teaching at a small, private school in the Marshall Islands. After that, they came to Alaska. Colby says, “Living and working in a rural Alaska community requires one to be involved outside of the classroom. How the community perceives a teacher can be aided by just getting out and exploring.”
Colby and his wife attend community events, like pot lucks, open gym, dances and meetings. And they hunt and fish, of course, always inviting other community members to join. He also coaches the school’s cross-country running team–and, in fact, last year was the first year in school history that Port Graham had an official team of any kind.
Colby is using his experience in integrating school and community through his coaching. His cross-country team will be inviting community members and elementary-school students to join the student athletes in a community health initiative in which community members will have a choice of running, walking or biking along with their team during the off-season.
In the classroom, Colby uses the same charisma to teach a wide age-range of students. His fellow teacher says Colby is exceptional. “He can work with a senior on graduation, then turn around and help a sixth-grader with plotting points on a line.” Because Colby has to teach all subjects, again from basics to senior-level courses, he incorporates lots of fun into his teaching. His students have successfully raised salmon from eggs, did an entire field-to-table science unit with rabbits, started a student council program from scratch, and many other hands-on projects – all while also teaching the core curriculum.
His fellow teacher says, “If you’ve ever met Colby, you know he’s a presence. Colby dedicates his entire year to his students. He bonds with the students on a personal level and he always wants them the succeed.”

“Mr. Colby Way is one of those teachers who is a sterling exemplar of both the art and skill of teaching,” said Nancy Kleine, principal. “He is sensitive to every student’s needs as if the details of their education are essential for his masterpiece of who they are and can become. He is amazing amongst his fifth through twelfth grade students, never missing a beat, always in action, as he assesses and meets everyone—small or tall—at their current level, sets a high bar, builds confidence, and moves them forward. Mr. Way challenges every student through highly intentional project-based learning. An avid athlete, Mr. Way astutely initiated the “just right” sport for this small village: cross country running. To do this, he involved the entire community, enticing them into a running club to promote health, great relationships, and support for runners on the middle and high school teams. Port Graham is exceedingly fortunate to have Mr. Colby at the helm of their young adults’ education. His students will remember him always as the one who taught them how to keep trying and to live generously.”

This year’s nominees were again, an excellent representation of our staff as a whole,” said Sean Dusek, superintendent. “They are humble, hard-working and student-centered. They are willing to go above and beyond to help students succeed and reach their full potential.”
“BP is proud to honor these great teachers and their tireless work in the classroom,” said BP Alaska Regional President Janet Weiss. “We see it as part of our ongoing commitment to the communities where our people live and work – and an investment in the people who help make Alaska great.”
The Kenai Peninsula Borough School District BP Teachers of Excellence winners are:

Stephanie Cronin, Seward High School
Jonathan Dillon, Mountain View Elementary School
Barbara Larrivee, West Homer Elementary School
Meredith McCullough, Kenai Central High School
Colby Way, Port Graham School

Congratulations, Colby Way, BP Teacher of Excellence!
lby Way,

Celebrate Jonathan Dillon, 2017 Kenai BP Teacher of Excellence!

“While I am honored by this recognition, I want to share that it isn’t mine alone. What we achieve at Mountain View Elementary—both students and staff—comes from the ways in which each of us work to support one another. I am fortunate to teach alongside helpful administrators, loving families, master teachers and staff, and—most importantly—kind, curious students. I am grateful to be a part of the Mountain View family.” – Jonathan Dillon

Jonathan Dillon teaches music in kindergarten through fifth grade at Mountain View Elementary School in Kenai. He has been a teacher for five years, all five of which have been in Alaska. In addition to being nominated by parents of his students, Jonathon was recognized by many of his fellow teachers. The universal consensus is that he’s a really nice guy, always willing to help struggling students and his coworkers, he simply loves teaching.
Johnathan graduated from University of Alaska Fairbanks with a bachelor’s in music and earned a master’s degree, also in music, from the University of Montana. Clearly, he is a gifted musician, but it’s as a teacher that he earned this compliment from a parent: “Mr. Dillon is remarkable in his ability to include all students, of all abilities, in his classes. When a student tells him they do not know something, whether music-related or not, he kindly interjects, ‘Not yet.’”
Whereas conventional wisdom may be that some people have musical talent and some do not, Johnathon approaches each student with the belief that every one of them can learn to create music. Because he teaches a number of grade levels, he is able to mentor them through the first years of learning music, helping them progress: playing a number of instruments, reading and even writing music. Most important, they learn to sing.
He says, “I believe singing is a great equalizer in music education. Each child has his or her own unique voice – and learning to use that voice is the foundation upon which all other musical skills flourish.”
Johnathan is dedicated to helping his students. He teaches band during lunch, and choir after school. He holds concerts during the year to not only allow his students to showcase their talents but to teach them what it means to learn a discipline in private then use it in real application – in public.
One of the many fellow teachers who nominated Johnathon wrote, “Mr. Dillon uses music as a vehicle to elevate each person to the point that they are operating at their highest self – and to ask, ‘How can I make someone else’s day a bit brighter?’ If Mr. Rogers were to come back as a music teacher, his name would be Johnathan Dillon.”

Many of Jonathan’s students come to school from very difficult home situations, including homelessness, adoption, foster care, poverty, divorce, and so forth. But as another fellow teacher wrote, “Mr. Dillon is a leader in our school in the way he models kindness, generosity of time and attention, and inclusion of all in his program. He goes above and beyond for those kids every day.”

“Music is only a small part of the curriculum that Mr. Dillon delivers to Mountain View Elementary students,” said Karl Kircher, Mountain View Elementary principal. “Good teachers model what they want their students to learn, and on a daily basis Mr. Dillon seamlessly models kindness, empathy and assuming positive intent as he manages his classes. The entire culture of our school is affected by his actions as he inspires our staff to emulate his practices. The amazing relationships that Mr. Dillon develops with his students and the joy they find in singing together with their friends is evidenced by the fact that 46, 4th and 5th grade students participated in after school, extra-curricular choir this year. Mr. Dillon’s smile and demeanor as he goes about his day from classes to Kindergarten lunch duty to his after-school computer code writing club for shows that he takes in as much joy as he gives.”

Stephanie Cronin, Seward High School
Jonathan Dillon, Mountain View Elementary School
Barbara Larivee, West Homer Elementary School
Meredith McCullough, Kenai Central High School
Colby Way, Port Graham School

Congratulations, Jonathan Dillon, BP Teacher of Excellence!

Celebrate Stephanie Cronin, 2017 BP Teacher of Excellence

Stephanie Cronin, Seward High School, 2017 BP Teacher of Excellence

“It is truly humbling to receive this award. I am very proud to accept it on behalf of my fellow 2017 Teachers of Excellence, and all the excellent teachers across our district. Thank you BP for this program and the recognition you give to public educators!” –Stephanie Cronin

Stephanie Cronin teaches math and engineering at Seward High School. She has spent all 20 years of her teaching career in Alaska.
Stephanie graduated from University of Minnesota Minneapolis with a bachelor degree in economics and also received a bachelor’s in mathematics from University of Alaska Anchorage. She continued at UAA for graduate school received a Master of Arts in Teaching and also a master’s degree in educational leadership.
Stephanie’s enthusiasm as a student translates fluently to her enthusiasm as a teacher.
One of her students writes, “She planted the seed in my brain that it’s okay to be excited about math. Mrs. Cronin’s ability to bring excitement and engagement into the math room stems from the way she really cares about each student. I hope someday I can inspire any individual the way Mrs. Cronin and her selfless devotion to her career has inspired me.”
Stephanie’s goal in the classroom is to encourage her students to become creative problem-solvers, who are not afraid to try hard, take risks–and potentially fail.
She accomplishes this by building trusting relationships with each student. She greets each student as he or she enters her classroom, and honestly listens when they answer her question, “How are you?” Her classroom is a safe place, where students want to be, and where they feel the confidence to tackle tough problems.
She challenges her kids. When she gives the class a problem to solve, for example, she does not tell each student whether or not he or she got the correct answer. Rather, she sends them back and tells the entire class to agree on an answer. Only when they have all talked it out and come to an agreement will she lead them through a diagnosis of how to perform the correct math.
In this way, she turns individual effort into success as a member of a group–a team—and that evolves into self-confidence.
When a University of Alaska representative visited Stephanie’s classroom last year to promote college attendance, she remarked how impressed she was at the high number of students who wanted to become math teachers and engineers. When the students were asked why, they answered, “It’s because of Mrs. Cronin.”
Her dedication has not gone unnoticed. In addition to other awards, in 2012, Stephanie received the Presidential Award for Excellence in Mathematics and Science Teaching, which was presented to her by Vice President Joe Biden in Washington, D.C., and she is the 2017 State of Alaska Alternate Teacher of the Year.
Another former student who attended Stanford University honor Ms. Cronin with the Stanford Recognition “Teacher Tribute” award for having the greatest influence on his education.
Principal Trevan Walker states: “If one were to survey any Seward High graduate since the Class of 2000 then I am confident that they would not only be able to describe ‘Positive Math Attitude,’ but that they would be able to describe what ‘PMA’ personally means to them. I can think of no greater tribute, to a truly excellent teacher, than this.”
This year’s nominees were again, an excellent representation of our staff as a whole,” said Sean Dusek, superintendent. “They are humble, hard-working and student-centered. They are willing to go above and beyond to help students succeed and reach their full potential. Mrs. Cronin is definitely one of our finest teachers who has transformed math instruction at Seward High School. She makes a positive difference everyday and is an unforgettable influence on her students. This award is very well deserved.”
“BP is proud to honor these great teachers and their tireless work in the classroom,” said BP Alaska Regional President Janet Weiss. “We see it as part of our ongoing commitment to the communities where our people live and work – and an investment in the people who help make Alaska great.”
Now in its 22nd year, the BP Teachers of Excellence program honors K-12 teachers from all school districts statewide, including public and private schools.
The Kenai Peninsula Borough School District BP Teachers of Excellence winners are:

Stephanie Cronin, Seward High School
Jonathan Dillon, Mountain View Elementary School
Barbara Larivee, West Homer Elementary School
Meredith McCullough, Kenai Central High School
Colby Way, Port Graham School

Congratulations, Stephanie Cronin, BP Teacher of Excellence!

Celebrate Karl Kircher, BP Educational Ally Award, 2017 Kenai Peninsula

BP Teachers of Excellence 2017

Karl Kircher, BP Educational Allies Award, 2017 Kenai Peninsula
The award recognizes the additional unsung heroes in our schools—support staff, administration or volunteers—who are working alongside teachers to inspire students and are making a difference in our schools and community.

“It is an honor to receive the BP Educational Ally in the School Community Award. The words “ally” and “community” really made this special for me. I’ve always considered my job as principal to be a supporting role to help create a community where teachers are inspired to excel by each other and by their students. The presentation also recognized our school’s efforts at community service to live up to our role as Kenai’s Neighborhood School. I was proud to receive this award as result of supporting a great team here at Mountain View Elementary.” –Karl Kircher, principal, Mountain View Elementary

At the BP Teachers of Excellence awards, this introduction was spoken, “The awardee from the Kenai Peninsula is just this type of individual. I’ll introduce him or her and ask them to come up to receive their award. And to make it more fun, they have no idea they’re here to be honored tonight.
This individual came to their school first as Vice Principal, then took the helm as principal two years later. Under his leadership, the school has taken on the subtitle of: A Neighborhood School which emphasizes kindness.
A tall man, this principal meets children at their level, sitting on the floor, listening, and engaging with the heart of students before speaking. He’s a creative thinker, a risk taker, and a man of action.
Not only does he respect the students, the staff and strive to improve the level of education for all students, he also seeks to engage with and meet the needs of the community.
He’s organized many community engagement opportunities such as the fall carnival, bike rides, and cook outs. He’s encouraged students and staff to reach out and give back, planting trees in public gardens, honoring veterans and packaging Christmas gifts to struggling families.
More than anything, we’re told, Karl Kircher, principal at Mountain View Elementary School, is a cheerleader—the director of a huge team working together for a common cause: equipping the next generation for success.
When we asked what type of prize Karl might like, his colleagues responded that his greatest joy in life is his family, especially his little grandson. So we have purchased Karl tickets for two adults and one child for the Kenai Fjords Tours National Park tour in Seward, so he can spend some much-deserved quality time with his family this summer.”

“I am excited Mr. Kircher has been selected as the first Educational Ally recipient in KPBSD,” said Sean Dusek, superintendent. “He is a tireless leader at Mountain View Elementary that has implemented a successful kindness culture at the school. He has done an excellent job supporting teachers make the kind of difference that has raised the bar for all students.”

Please congratulate Karl Kircher, BP Educational Ally for the Kenai Peninsula!
Facebook: Mountain View Elementary
Website: Mountain View Elementary

Stephanie Cronin, 2017 Kenai BP Teacher of the Year!

Congratulations to the 2017 Kenai Peninsula Borough BP Teacher of the Year, Ms. Stephanie Cronin, Seward High School!

“This is a great honor; I would like to thank BP for recognizing teachers of excellence across the state of Alaska, and for their support of public education! I became a teacher to make a difference. Teachers make a difference when they inspire students to push beyond their imaginary limits and begin to truly believe in themselves. This is my goal every day.” –Stephanie Cronin

A whirlwind of enthusiasm in the classroom, she consistently inspires students to dig deeper and reach higher to achieve their full potential.
Described by colleagues, she is a “legendary teacher in the district and state, who continues to impact many lives through the ability to engage students, and is consistently working to strengthen the district and enrich the working lives of colleagues.”
In addition to her impressive education background, she is a member of many committees and professional organizations, all devoted to improving the education of our young people. Mrs. Cronin states that “volunteerism gives me the chance to give back to the community that has given me so much.”
In a community where there is only one high school, one might say that all paths to a diploma go through this teacher’s classroom. This means that the teacher must be all things that all students need in order to find success. She accomplishes this through PMA or “Positive Math Attitude.”
Principal Trevan Walker states: “If one were to survey any Seward High graduate since the Class of 2000 then I am confident that they would not only be able to describe ‘Positive Math Attitude,’ but that they would be able to describe what ‘PMA’ personally means to them. I can think of no greater tribute, to a truly excellent teacher, than this.”
The 2017 Kenai BP Teacher of the Year receives a $1,500 scholarship to be used towards continuing education and an award sculpture.
This year’s nominees were again, an excellent representation of our staff as a whole,” said Sean Dusek, superintendent. “They are humble, hard-working and student-centered. They are willing to go above and beyond to help students succeed and reach their full potential. Mrs. Cronin is definitely one of our finest teachers who has transformed math instruction at Seward High School. She makes a positive difference everyday and is an unforgettable influence on her students. This award is very well deserved.”