FORT WAYNE, Ind. (ADAMS) – Fort Wayne Community Schools Superintendent Dr. Mark Daniel surprised an elementary school teacher and a secondary school teacher as the 2024 Teachers of the Year and a staff member as the 2024 FWCS Employee of the Year throughout the day on Tuesday.
FWCS released the following:
2024 FWCS Employee of the Year
Kela Guy, licensed therapist at Study Elementary School, is the 2024 FWCS Employee of the Year. Guy has worked at Fort Wayne Community Schools for 10 years and has been in her current position for three-and-a-half years.
She serves as an ambassador for FWCS by providing high quality therapeutic services to students and families, as well as being an active community partner. Guy is known in the community for being a genuine mental health advocate. “I am called to advocate for student’s mental health,” Guy said. “I truly see this as an opportunity to serve and on the most difficult days I can honestly say that I love coming to work and working with the students and families of FWCS.”
Study Elementary Principal Elizabeth Kleber described Guy as a person who is committed to promoting growth and success for each student and collaborates with a wide variety of people to put supports in place when needed. “She sees each child as special and worthy of love, and she makes sure they know that they are important,” said Kleber. That starts at the beginning of the school day when Guy greets students with a high five, fist bump or hug.
Finalists:
Amanda Berry, Haley Elementary School, School Improvement Liaison
Ashley Beverforden, Washington Elementary School, case manager
Tonya Bulau, Price Elementary School, special education assistant
Carman Harvey, South Side High School, Student Services Secretary
2024 FWCS Elementary Teacher of the Year
Franke Park Elementary School fourth-grade teacher Ricky Weber is the 2024 FWCS Elementary Teacher of the Year. Weber has worked for Fort Wayne Community Schools for five years and has been in his current position for two years. Weber’s teaching philosophy is heavily influenced by his more than 30 years of military service; he believes all students are entitled to an excellent education.
“I believe that for students to reach their full potential they must grow mentally, socially and emotionally,” Weber said. “My goal is to provide a risk tolerant environment where all students feel welcome, valued and appreciated.”
Franke Park Principal Dee Dee Larkey said Weber is committed to advocating for each student in his classroom. “His passion for teaching is evident in the extra time and effort he invests to ensure that every student reaches their full potential,” she said. Weber believes for many students, elementary school is where they learn a sense of belonging, are introduced to the diversity of our community and make their first friendships outside their family.
Finalists:
Caitlin Boyle, Northcrest Elementary School, Music
Christina Osei, Waynedale Elementary School, English Language Learners (ELL)
Erin Patton-McFarren, Whitney Young STEAM Early Childhood, Art
Tabitha Sprunger, St. Joseph Central Elementary School, Art
Nora Witmer, Study Elementary School, third grade
2024 FWCS Secondary Teacher of the Year
Karyn Brumbaugh is the 2024 FWCS Secondary Teacher of the Year. She has worked at Fort Wayne Community Schools and taught interior design at Northrop High School for seven years. Brumbaugh’s teaching philosophy centers around fostering a learning environment where students feel safe to take risks, explore their curiosity through creativity and develop the essential career skills of collaboration, critical thinking and communication. She strives to create an inclusive classroom that caters to all students by connecting learning to real-world, authentic experiences, such as the development of the Bear Essentials closet. “Students identified a need for clothing, hygiene products and food among their peers and created a club to establish and manage a resource closet,” Brumbaugh said. “This project exemplifies the power of these initiatives in addressing community needs within their school and promoting social responsibility.”
Northrop Principal Adam Swinford emphasized that what sets her apart from others is her commitment to working with students outside of regular school hours. Beyond her role as an educator, Brumbaugh is a passionate advocate for teachers and the teaching profession. She is also a team lead and well-respected member of the Northrop staff who coworkers look to for guidance.
Finalists:
Ann Applegate, FWCS Career Academy, Culinary Arts
Whitney Byers, Lane Middle School, sixth grade science and social studies
Eileen Doherty, Towles New Tech Middle School, sixth grade science
Jordyn Painter, North Side High School, special education/applied skills
Amy Ross, South Side High School, Dance
Comments