Wayland faculty member earns Navy Impact Influencer Award
Beaver Dam—James Cleary H`20 of Wayland Academy was presented with the Navy Impact Influencer Award on Monday, Dec. 19 in Swan Library. The prestigious award recognizes innovative educators who have inspired kids to join the Navy.
Ensign Alexander Idonije, Wayland Class of 2016, nominated Cleary for the award. Idonije was recently accepted to the U.S. Navy’s Intelligence Officer Program, one of the branch’s most challenging academic programs.
“One thing I admire about the Navy is that we’re always encouraged to reflect on leadership that impacted us, and kind of changed the trajectory of our life,” Idonije said. “And when I look back to my formative years at Wayland, one person who sticks out is Mr. Cleary.”
Cleary, who has taught at Wayland since 2010, is the chair of Wayland’s English department, and coaches the cross country and track and field teams.
Idonije recalled a moment during his first year at Wayland, when Cleary supported him during a pivotal time of need. (As a boarding student, being away from family during illness or injury can be especially difficult.)
“I was a freshman playing football—I was maybe 100 pounds—and I must have gotten hit too hard that day, because my heart was beating out of my chest. Mr. Cleary stayed up with me at the hospital that night past midnight on a cold Tuesday in Wisconsin.”
“It just goes to show that he cares—and it’s not just me, it’s all students,” Idonije continued. “So, I just wanted to thank Mr. Cleary, because I promise I wouldn’t be standing here without everything he’s done for me. In the Navy, we’re taught to think about honor, courage, and commitment—and those three ideals, Mr. Cleary, in countless different scenarios in my life, has taught me what that looks like.”
Cleary and Idonije knew each other all four years he attended Wayland. Cleary can recall watching Idonije walk across the graduation stage in 2016.
“This means the world to me coming from Alex, who was such a tremendous student and leader when he was at Wayland, and who has turned into a remarkable young man,” Cleary said. “It’s also very meaningful to get something from one of the branches of the Armed Forces, because I have so much respect and admiration for the people who serve in uniform.”
Commander Matt Sass presented the award to Cleary and recognized the important role educators play in the lives of students.
“As a teacher, you help them, you guide them, you mentor them, and you care for them when they get hurt,” Commander Sass said. “That’s something special. I want everyone here to know that you’ve got something special here with this teacher; that you’ve got something special at Wayland.”
“This is truly one of the best moments of my career, and I’ll remember it for the rest of my life,” Cleary added. “I really believe that this award is an honor for Wayland as much as for me. I’ve spent the overwhelming majority of my teaching career at Wayland, and I’ve become the teacher I am because of Wayland.”
Wayland Academy is an independent, coed college preparatory school for boarding and day students in grades nine through 12. Founded in Beaver Dam in 1855, the school’s rich history and rigorous academics bring students from across Wisconsin, the United States, and the world together in an innovative and engaging learning environment. Wayland is known for its small class sizes, capstone projects, active STEAM program, and an array of Advanced Placement offerings.
More information about Wayland Academy is available at wayland.org.
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Vicki Horstman
Marketing Specialist
vhorstman@wayland.org
920.356.2120 ext. 236
