On Wednesday, April 24, the Hayward Foundation for Educational Enrichment (HFEE) presented its annual Teacher of the Year and Support Staff of the Year awards to two staff members in the Hayward Community School District.
Each year since 2015, HFEE has awarded $1,000 to an outstanding teacher, nominated by their building principal. This year’s nominees included K-2 Music Teacher at the Primary School, Destiny Schultz; Fifth Grade Teacher at the Intermediate School, Shannon Duffy-Hofer; Seventh Grade Science Teacher and Middle School Student Council Advisor Jarred Phillips; and High School Math Teacher, Department Head and Boys Golf Coach Orrin Botten.
HFEE volunteer board members chose Orrin Botten as the 2023-24 Teacher of the Year. Along with the funding for his classroom, Botten received a golden apple award and recognition on a traveling plaque.
All nominees received “Chamber Bucks” from the Hayward Area Chamber of Commerce.
Principal Doug Stark stated that Botten’s “strong work ethic, dedication to his students, positive attitude, and effective communication skills” are appreciated. “Orrin is not only liked, but highly regarded as a natural leader in the classroom and on the golf course by his students, athletes, and peers,” wrote Stark.
this year marks just the second time that HFEE has given a Support Staff of the Year award, as they recognized that there are many individuals within the school district who help enrich students education through roles such as paraprofessional, special education aide, office staff, nurse, custodian and more. The four school building principals nominated one individual from their staff, and HFEE presented each nominee with Chamber Bucks.
The winner also received gift cards to several area businesses, a silver apple, and recognition on a traveling plaque.
The nominees for 2023-24 Support Staff of the Year included Math Interventionist at the Primary School Laura Hager; Special Education Paraprofessional at the Intermediate School Jennifer Strand, Middle School Special Education Paraprofessional Geri Moen; and High School Special Education Paraprofessional Kerry Henderson. The HFEE board chose Kerry Henderson as the Support Staff of the Year winner.
According to Principal Stark, the students with whom Kerry works require a tremendous amount of daily care and she “shows up every day and works hard, but more importantly, always has a smile on her face.”
Stark said he has witnessed many times the excitement in a student’s facial expressions and hand gestures when Kerry speaks with them and smiles at them. “She truly makes a difference in the lives of these students and shows how much she loves her job.”
This year is the 30th anniversary of the Hayward Foundation for Educational Enrichment, whose mission is to enrich the educational experience for all students in the Hayward Community School District by providing grants to the district for innovative educational programs and initiatives that promote and develop outstanding achievement by students and staff.
The volunteer board comprised of local business owners and community leaders operates from an endowment situation and is a non-profit organization. to date, HFEE has awarded more than $365,000 in grants and funding to the HCSD. They host one annual fundraiser, the Lee Bonicatto Memorial Golf Outing, slated for Friday, May 17, 2024, at the Hayward Golf Course.
The signature sponsor of this year’s event is Arclin, a Hayward manufacturing company. Many additional businesses have already pledged major, team and hole-level sponsorships.
Teams of golfers are already set for the event, but all community members are invited to attend the awards party at the Hayward Golf Course around 5 p.m. that day. There will be raffle basket ticket sales, silent auction bidding, and a 50/50 raffle. Participants need not be present to win. Donations to the organization are always accepted through PayPal on their website. For more information about HFEE and the Golf Outing fundraiser, visit www.hfee-wi.org or email hfeeboard@gmail.com.
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