Eielson Spotlight Awards honor local teachers

  • Published
  • By Senior Airman Yash Rojas
  • 354th Fighter Wing Public Affairs
EIELSON AIR FORCE BASE, Alaska --  In the spirit of Teacher Appreciation Week, Eielson reintroduced the Teacher Appreciation Spotlight Awards May 8, recognizing teachers and support staff members at Eielson-based schools for their hard work and dedication.

The awards luncheon let teachers and supporting staff members know that Eielson cares about its educators, and more importantly, the time they dedicate to helping shape tomorrow's leaders.

The awards emphasizes the integral role educators play in the lives of their students and the peace of mind they provide hundreds of parents at Eielson, said Col. Thomas Daack, 354th Mission Support Group commander. Educators ensure military children receive the knowledge needed to succeed in their futures.

More than 30 guests attended the luncheon, including Pete Lewis, superintendent of the Fairbanks North Star Borough School District, as well as other local leaders from the school district. He and Daack presented each awardee with a certificate of recognition.

"It's very important work that [teachers and staff] do ... and it's nice that the base took the time to recognize six of our employees for their efforts, what they do each and every day, what they bring to the school district and the support they [provide] to the kids on base," said Lewis.

Each honoree had his or her name called out to receive Eielson's "thank you." Kathy Warren, a 4th-grade teacher at Robert Crawford Elementary, was one of six to receive a Teacher of the Year award.

She found the Teacher Appreciation Spotlight Award humbling and satisfying, adding she enjoys interacting with kids and watching them grow and learn.

Other awardees included Anderson Elementary Teacher of the Year Pattie McCoy and Support Staff Member of the Year Staci Hatcher, Crawford Elementary Support Staff Member of the Year Clarissa Kougl, and Ben Eielson Junior/Senior High School Teacher of the Year Larry Terch and Support Staff Member of the Year Anne Derkacz-Wagner.

Teachers and support staff members can agree that a simple thank you is all you need, but it is nice to be appreciated. The Air Force believes in giving credit to individuals who excel, and who better to thank than those who provide children with the tools to succeed.

"[The luncheon, in essence is a way of] saying thank you for their efforts, because you are going to get that same effort whether you recognize them or not -- they are just professional folks that are working hard and have passion for what they do," Lewis said.