Leaders in Educational Excellence

A quartet of Delano teachers, including two from the elementary school, recently received honors as Leaders in Educational Excellence.

 

The four included Ginger Diethart, reading interventionist at DES; third-grade teacher Charlene Warne, who was named Delano Teacher of the Year for 2016-17; middle school physical education teacher Jamie Longstreet; and high school social worker Marie Techam.

 

Their Leadership in Educational Excellence Awards were distributed at the 26th annual Award and Recognition Ceremony hosted by Resource Training & Solutions on Wednesday, Oct. 25.

 

Diethart and Warne are featured below. Additional information about Longstreet and Techam will be included in future articles. (The photo included with this article includes, from left, Techam, Warne and Diethart. Longstreet is not pictured.)

 

Ginger Diethart

Diethart is in her 10th year of teaching in Delano, and said that receiving the LEEA recognition was a true honor.

 

“It does the heart good to realize that all the hard work you put in throughout the year is noticed and appreciated,” she said.

 

An annonymous nominating letter submitted to the district’s Staff Development Committee noted that as a reading interventionist Diethart works hard to help some of the school’s most needy students.

 

“She spends hours after school, as well as (additional) hours on the weekend to prepare the best lessons possible,” said the nominating document. “She is well liked by her team and provides a positive leadership environment. She truly cares about the children she works with and is sincere about meeting their needs as well as following grant guidelines within a very large case load.”

 

Diethart said that helping at-risk students succeed has made for a fulfilling career.

 

“Most of these students come with low self-esteem and a belief that reading is something they will never be able to do,” she said. “I most enjoy helping these kids realize they can achieve in areas they thought impossible. It’s very rewarding seeing the progress they make.”

 

Charlene Warne

Warne, in her 13th year at Delano Elementary and 22nd year in teaching overall, was named the district’s Teacher of the Year for 2016-17. She attended last week’s banquet in that capacity.

 

“It has been an honor to represent Delano,” Warne said. “I feel so fortunate to work at DES and work with amazing people.”

 

The recommendation given to the Staff Development Committee said Warne is among the most competent professionals in the business, and one who always goes the extra mile to meet students’ needs.

 

“She is patient and always looks for unique challenges and projects that will inspire learning,” said the recommendation. “She clearly enjoys her job and her students adore her. She has a great rapport with the staff, students and parents. She is a willing participant in school and community activities and always does it with a smile on her face.”

 

Warne’s extra work in staff development, curriculum matters, PIE activities, as a cluster teacher and as “an integral part” of the DES Relay for Life team contributed to her suitability for the honor.

 

“I enjoy building a strong community with the students in my classroom so it is a place to learn, grow, and belong,” said Warne.