New Carlisle Rotary Club’s Outstanding Teachers of the Year Awards went to Danielle Romine, Cindy Macasek, Elizabeth Beaty. Amanda Crowe/Sun photo
Rotary honors outstanding teachers NEW CARLISLE -The New Carlisle Rotary presented the Outstanding Teacher Award to three local teachers Tuesday afternoon.
The winners are Elizabeth Beaty, fourth grade teacher at Northwestern Elementary; Cindy Macasek, fourth grade teacher at New Carlisle Elementary; and Danielle Romine, second grade teacher at Medway Elementary.
New Carlisle Rotary wanted to recognize those teachers in the three school districts within their local service area who exemplify the best qualities of those within their profession. These teachers possess qualities such as commitment, enthusiasm, innovation, concern for their students and community involvement.
Each received the symbolic "School Bell" as a visible and lasting tribute to their ability to teach. They each also received a $500 cash award for their own personal use. This is the first year New Carlisle Rotary has presented this award, but they will continue the program next year.
Elizabeth Beaty
Elizabeth Beaty currently lives in St. Paris after moving there in 1970 from West Alexandria. She and her husband Russell have two children, James, 30, and Edward, 25.
She received her bachelor's degree from Wright State University and master's from Urbana University. She has been teaching for 14 years, all at Northwestern Elementary. Currently she teaches fourth grade language arts half day and trains and coaches teachers in Literacy Collaborative the other half of the day.
"I would first like to thank the person who nominated me for this award. It has meant the world to me," said Beaty.
"I would also like to thank my family for putting up with hours and hours of schooling and all the hours of work that I put into preparing for the education of my students."
She specifically thanked her oldest son who was 10 years old when she started college. Through the 10 years of his mother's education he took on a lot of responsibilities a 10-year-old should not be asked to do including watching his younger brother, laundry, etc. She also thanked her husband for supporting her, working 16-hour days sometimes seven days a week and taking care of their children.
Beaty went on to thank her principal Cindy Pierson and her superintendents over the years for always believing in her and supporting her throughout the years.
"I became a teacher because I wanted to make a difference somewhere. When I hear students say 'I love reading' or 'I can do this,' that's my reward," she said.
And her advice to other teachers: "Never give up on your dreams and never stop learning yourself. Listen to and learn from your students as well."
Cindy Macasek
Cindy Macasek and her husband Mike moved to the area from Centerville when their children were young. All three children have attended Tecumseh High School. Jenny is at the University of Pittsburgh, Matt is at the Ohio State University and Erin is at Tecumseh currently.
She went to high school in Cambridge and graduated from Miami University. She received a master's degree in International Children's Literature from Wright State University. Macasek has taught for 23 years in the Tecumseh Local district where she has taught Special Education, Title I Reading, second grade, third grade and fourth grade. Her teaching experiences have been at Olive Branch Middle School, Donnelsville Elementary, Park Layne Elementary and New Carlisle Elementary.
"As I think about how I have grown as a teacher, I have first and foremost my parents to thank. They were firm believers in public education and in the power of a teacher to make a difference in a child's life," said Macasek. "Secondly, I thank the supportive administrators I have worked with, for encouraging me to grow through college classes, inservices, grant writing,etc."
"Most importantly, I owe any success I have had to the outstanding teachers I have worked with and learned with over the years. There is nothing more exciting than collaborating with other teachers, and having our work make a difference. I am proud to be a part of the very caring and hardworking staff at New Carlisle Elementary," she added.
Macasek also thanked her family for supporting her and putting up with her. She specifically thanked her children for sharing her with over 450 other kids throughout the years and her husband for taking on the full-time job as a teacher's husband on top of the stresses of his own career.
"This award says to me that our community, fellow teachers and even our students respect the rewarding and even difficult work we do. It means so much that someone knows we are working hard," she said. "I love teaching, it is a challenging passion."
Danielle Romine
Danielle Romine is from Springfield where she and her husband David are raising their three children, Rob, 12, Savannah, 5 and Ty, 5 months.
She received her teaching degree from Wittenberg University and has almost completed her master's from University of Dayton. She has been teaching for 14 years, the first five of which she taught high school special education in Tipp City. The remaining years have been at Tecumseh Local where she currently teaches second grade.
"Without a doubt I'd like to thank my husband David. Without his support and encouragement I would not be able to fulfill my responsibilities as a teacher to my fullest potential. Having three children at home it is difficult to find the balance between mom and teacher," said Romine. "I believe that what you put into education/teaching is what you'll get out of it. Which means it takes time and commitment to my craft. He constantly encourages me to be the best that I can be and supports my career."
She also thanked her three children who know that even though she has three biological children many times they share her with 25 children.
Romine went on to thank all the other teachers out there who are just as deserving, and the many teachers who have supported her, given her advice and helped her perfect her craft. She then thanked the New Carlisle Rotary for presenting the award.
"Teachers are deserving of all the recognition they can receive. Teaching is not a 7-3 job with summers off. It requires dedication, commitment, time, and constant learning. I spend countless unseen hours in the evenings and weekends preparing so that my children can reach their full potential. So anytime a teacher is recognized in the community I'm grateful," said Romine.
And for future teachers: "My best advice is to surround themselves with other teachers, observe other classrooms, seek out teachers who can support them. The best teachers are the constant learners. Those who read new research, absorb classroom practices of others and implement into the classroom."
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