SCHOOL ZONE 11-22-12

Please join me in congratulating our employees of the month for November.  To learn more about these special employees, please visit our website at www.vermilionschools.org

 

Vermilion Elementary School honors counselor Buffy Greenawalt.

It takes the combined efforts of all members of the Vermilion Elementary School staff to create the nurturing, caring, learning environment that makes us the Excellent school that we are.  One key player in our quest for Excellence is school counselor, Mrs. Buffy Greenawalt.  She serves all of our students by providing individual and group counseling and delivering programs to classrooms on topics such as bullying, character building, and drug awareness.  She spearheads our many school and community service programs - Operation Christmas Joy, Keep Kids Warm mitten drive, One Bag food drive, Random Acts of Kindness Week, No Name Calling Day, Red Ribbon Week, Big Buddies, Refocus and Rachel’s Challenge.  Mrs. Greenawalt is the standardized test coordinator, the coordinator of the Intervention Assistance Team and the community support coordinator for VES.  Additionally she is involved in Communities that Care, Lorain County Prevention Connection, Vermilion Local Schools Drug Task Force and the Ohio School Counselors Association.

Mrs. Greenawalt is a positive presence and influence in our students’ lives.  She displays a cheerful attitude and a caring disposition taking the time to get to know our children and helping them in all aspects of their lives.  She is knowledgeable of social services providing useful information to parents and families.  Mrs. Greenawalt is a most important part of the Vermilion Elementary Family.

Mrs. Greenawalt earned her Bachelor’s degree from Illinois State University and a Master’s degree in Clinical Counseling and School Counseling from Heidelberg College. She taught high school prior to working as a Victim Advocate through the State’s Attorney’s Office becoming involved with the victims of crime and the county domestic violence shelter.  She has experience as a parent educator, chemical dependency counselor and social worker assistant through non-profit agencies.  Mrs. Greenawalt came to Vermilion as the school counselor for South Street Elementary and Vermilion Intermediate School in 2004.  She is the mother of six children and lives with her husband, Tom in Huron

SAILORWAY MIDDLE SCHOOL honors three employees this month.

Mrs. Donna Holbrook- Educational Aide

Donna Holbrook serves as an Educational Aide in Sailorway’s Positive Support Program.  Positive is the best way to describe Mrs. Holbrook.  She continually has a smile on her face and is helping her students to be successful.  Aside from the help she provides the students, she is an asset to the teachers she helps through her efforts.  She is also a tremendous baker and plies the staff with baked goods frequently.  Mrs. Holbrook is married and has two children who attended Vermilion Schools.

Mr. Jason Hayne- Intervention Specialist

Mr. Hayne is an intervention specialist serving students in grades 5 and 7.  He is an extremely motivated and creative individual. Mr. Hayne recently developed a project for all seventh grade students, creating a scavenger hunt to further develop their understanding of The Westing Game book.  Mr. Hayne is always looking for ways to motivate his students to learn.  He has been a wonderful addition to our staff and is also serving as the Head Wrestling Coach for SMS.  

Mrs. Kim Duda- 6th Grade Language Arts and Social Studies.  

When you are in need of stimulating conversation a stop by Mrs. Duda’s room will serve you well.  She is a master at facilitating conversation among her students and allowing them to explore their own beliefs and convictions.  Aside from these skills, Mrs. Duda has taken on a student-centered approach this year that the overwhelming majority of her students are enjoying.  Mrs. Duda is a dedicated and driven professional who challenges her students to be their best, both in and out of school.

This month Vermilion High School recognizes Social Studies teacher Kristy Edmison.

Ms. Edmison grew up in North Royalton, Ohio and attended Baldwin Wallace College where she was a 4 year letter winner in cross country, indoor track and outdoor track.  She earned many State and National honors and recognition in athletics while also achieving academic honors, including being listed in Who's Who Among Students in American Colleges.  

Kristy came to Vermilion in 1999 as a Social Studies teacher and cross country coach.  She continues to coach cross country, track, basketball and intramurals. Coach Edmison was recently named "District 6 Coach of the Year" following a powerful track season, taking 5 girls to the State Finals this past spring. 

Several years ago Kristy was instrumental in organizing a Veteran's Day luncheon sponsored by the VHS Social Studies classes, a tradition that continues to this day.  Each year she and her students organize and provide lunch to honor Vermilion's heros.  This year over 70 veterans attended the luncheon.  Kristy is a family-oriented individual who cares deeply about her students and helping them learn more about the world around them.  VHS is excited to be able to honor her as our teacher of the month for November.