INTERBORO ALUMNI
Staff #1
Significant accomplishments of the nominee. Staff #1 was one of the first teachers in the district to bring technology into her classroom. She was an innovative teacher whose creative was remembered long after students left her 3rd grade classroom.
In 250 words or less, explain why you believe this individual should be inducted into the Interboro Hall of Fame. Staff #1 was a much loved teacher at Prospect Park School. She was one of the first to use technology in the classroom, and was always innovative her teaching. She hosted poetry "parties", to teach money, she ran a class "restaurant", and was a pioneer in using a writing workshop model. Her students were challenged in all aspects of the curriculum by Staff #1's high standards and expectations. It was all done, however, in a way that made learning fun. She is one of the only elementary teachers I know that had students participate in and lead their own report card conferences with parents. She always ended the school year with a trip to her home in Chester County, where students would canoe, take nature hikes, and picnic. Staff #1 was well loved by her colleagues, as she was a mentor and friend to all. She was the first to volunteer for anything that needed to be done, whether it was planting in the courtyard, or participating in community activities. I feel that Staff #1 deserves to be a member of the Interboro Hall of Fame. She is one of the most talented and dedicated teachers that has ever worked in the district.
Staff #2
Significant accomplishments of the nominee. Numerous - will be referenced in following section.
In 250 words or less, explain why you believe this individual should be inducted into the Interboro Hall of Fame.
I am honored to nominate my friend and colleague based on his 35 years of distinguished service to the Interboro School District. Staff #2 began teaching business classes after his graduation from Bloomsburg University in 1966. An outstanding teacher, he influenced numerous students to attend college to pursue degrees and careers in accounting, finanace and related subjects. Staff #2 also served as Business Dept. Team Leader for seven years. Having received a masters degree and his principal's certification from Villanova University, Staff #2 served as assistant principal at IHS for five years, successfully overseeing a variety of student and staff programs during that time. He also served as director of Interboro's evening school program, which became quite popular in the community under his supervision. Additionally Staff #2 served as ass't. football coach, and for eleven years was the Head Coach of the Varsity Wrestling Team. During this time Staff #2 also served as Ass't. Athletic Director. In addition Staff #2 served as Ass't. Student Council Advisor at IHS for 19 years. Beyond IHS Staff #2 was positively involved with the Interboro Education Association, holding a variety of significant positions, and was a major contributor at the regional and state levels. As a proud Interboro Hall of Fame member, I am certain that Staff #2 belongs in this distinguished group and nominate him absolutely without reservation.
Staff #3
Significant accomplishments of the nominee. Staff #3 taught in Interboro School District for over 25 years, was critical to a large number of students pursuing not only college degrees but degrees in Math, Science and Technology related areas. He also served as the treasurer to the IEA for a number of years, and was an active band booster for the Marching band for 8 years. Staff #3 partook of his time at Interboro all while living and contributing to the same district, residing in Glenolden for most of his tenure.
In 250 words or less, explain why you believe this individual should be inducted into the Interboro Hall of Fame. Staff #3 participated in his students education tirelessly. He was a strict, but fair teacher and was always willing to help. I am biased, since I am his son, but even many years after his retirement, I still have former students talk to me at least once a week in the community about how much of an impact he had on their lives and their education. He always pushed students to fulfill their potential, even beyond what they thought possible; he certainly did that for me, and I attribute my career now to his guidance.
Staff #4
Significant accomplishments of the nominee. Staff #4 was instrumental in getting the planetarium included in the new high school. He was responsible for writing the curriculum for Earth and Space science for the 9th grade. He was the District's FIRST director of technology bringing Interboro into the technology age when technology was in its infancy. Staff #4s ENTIRE teaching career was at Interboro, 30 years in the classroom with another 7 in administration. Staff #4 ran the score board at home basketball games, chaperoned dance, was a union representative and a driver education instructor. Staff #4 was hired at Interboro after graduating from West Chester University in 1965. He and Interboro were a good fit and he spent his entire career in the district. He loved to teach and spent 30 years in the classroom. Staff #4 didn't teach the "cream of the crop" students. He found ways to engage his students so they would enjoy school and not drop out. Pushing for the planetarium's inclusion in the new high school is an example of what he did to try to keep those students in school. That tool has been used by thousands of students over the years. Staff #4 was not just a teacher. He counseled those at risk students whenever needed. He also spent time as a driver education instructor taking mostly Tinicum students out for driving lessons because the other teachers preferred the not to. He spent his evenings at the school running the score boards for basketball games and as a dance chaperone. He was also a Union rep. Staff #4's biggest accomplishment was to bring Interboro into the technology age. As the first Director of Technology, he had to set up computers and emails for all employees. This was cutting edge and was met with resistance from some staff members. Staff #4 had to teach all district employees this new technology including how to use the computers send e-mails. This same technology was used for attendance and grading -another NEW concept. Because of Staff #4 and his foresight, Interboro was the first district to be connected to the Intermediate unit via fiber connections. This is all technology that we take for granted. At the time there was resistance to these new and improved ways. Interboro was ahead of the curve due to the hard work and insight of Staff #4, He held this position until his retirement in 2002 Staff #4 was a born teacher. He wasn't interested in accolades or awards. He wanted to make a difference with his students. I think he succeeded in doing that. Because we loved him and learned much about life from this man. Was a fair man and had great respect for the students. He made learning fun and had a real passion for his kids! He exemplifies what the words Hall of Fame stand for.
Alumni #4 had a total of four nomination submissions that were combined into the above entry.
Staff #5
In 250 words or less, explain why you believe this individual should be inducted into the Interboro Hall of Fame.
As the tall, content, pleasant face of Staff #5 enters the Prospect Park School early each morning, the building is buzzing with the usual activities: morning announcements, unpacking for the day, welcoming conversations, and agenda setting. Teachers are gearing up for the lessons ahead, administrators are on the move supporting their building community, and students are smiling in anticipation of the learning to come. Throughout the day, as the building Reading Specialist, I get the unique opportunity to support hundreds of students. Throughout the day, as the building Reading Specialist, I also get the unique opportunity to travel alongside the steady path of our beloved Staff #5. You see, what is unusual about each day is that without fail, without exception, and without hesitation, Staff #5 comes to school. A man who worked in the profession for more than thirty years in the Interboro School District. A man who creates, implements, tweaks, monitors, and drives our students to their personal best with enrichment lessons in grades 1-5 , for hours, every single day. A man who inspires, challenges, and enriches not only kids, but anyone and everyone who comes across his path. He doesn’t ask for compensation. He doesn’t ask for recognition. He only asks his students for excellence. To be in “Staff #5’s group,” in the eyes of our students, is the super bowl ending in literacy that each of them hope for. As I travel throughout my day, I see the look of pride in their eyes as they travel out the door to his office. As I travel throughout my day, I see the look of pride in his eyes as he picks up each group to deliver awesome instruction. I, like our students, am proud to know him. I, like our students, strive to be like him. I, like our students, am fortunate that our paths have crossed. For these reasons and many more, I nominate him for the Interboro Hall of Fame. Let me tell you a little about the history of Staff #5. He started here in Interboro way back in 1972. In those days, teacher salaries were pretty low, and Staff #5 had to work a second job to support his family for many years. During this time, and in the years to follow, Staff #5 rarely missed a day. As a matter of fact, when he retired, he had accrued about 450 sick days! Around Prospect Park, Staff #5 was famous for his no-nonsense approach and his hustle and bustle. He kept his students on task and learning from bell to bell. His students loved him, and his dry sense of humor, and although they didn’t have much down time, he didn’t forget they were kids. Staff #5 planned amazing field trips (Whale watching at the shore, taking a train to Philadelphia for the Christmas light show, NYC, and Lancaster), and wrote and directed his students in Christmas plays that the entire school looked forward to each year. Staff #5 taught grades 2nd, 3rd, 4th, and 5th during his time in Prospect. Ten years in each grade! Under his guidance, many of his students won writing awards from the DCIU. During the early years of the PSSA, Staff #5 and his 5th grade colleagues won $37,000 from the state for their outstanding scores. Perhaps a bigger win is the number of Staff #5’s former students that have gone on to become teachers themselves, many staying right here in Interboro. Staff #5 eats, sleeps, and drinks Interboro, and specifically Prospect Park. During his teaching years, Staff #5’s room was cleaned first every summer, as he came in almost daily to prepare for the following September. A light could be seen in his classroom most every night during the school year, as Staff #5 returned to school each night, from about 8pm to 10pm, to prepare for the following day. Staff #5 HATED to miss school… He wanted to come directly from the hospital after cutting off his toe with a lawn mower. Luckily, the principal stopped him! He had a triple bypass, and was only absent two and a half weeks! He almost missed the birth of one of his children, as he didn’t want to leave his class. Even now, as a volunteer, he very rarely misses a day. There is no one more dedicated to the Interboro School District and to the children of this district than Staff #5. I am lucky to have worked with him and to know him. For these many reasons, I too would like to nominate Staff #5 to the Interboro Hall of Fame. Also submitted by a second staff member.