Chardon High School English language arts teacher Tara Kaiser was named on May 9 as an official nominee in the Ohio Department of Education’s 2023 Ohio Teacher of the Year selection process...
Teacher of the Year Nomination
Chardon High School English language arts teacher Tara Kaiser was named on May 9 as an official nominee in the Ohio Department of Education’s 2023 Ohio Teacher of the Year selection process. CHS principal Doug Murray recommended Mrs. Kaiser earlier this spring through an essay he wrote about her contributions to students and staff.
CHS principal Doug Murray said of the 610 school districts in Ohio — employing 100 to 200 teachers per district — being awarded nominee status is an enormous accomplishment.
In his recommendation essay, Mr. Murray stated, “Mrs. Kaiser is on many committees inside of the building, leading professional learning communities and strategic plans, and intentionally goes to watch her students in extracurricular activities. She knows her purpose, lives the vision and mission of our district, and understands how wellness leads to understanding the standards.”
Next up, Mrs. Kaiser will complete an online application for the regional level recognition as 2023 Teacher of the Year for State Board of Education District (7).
Mr. Murray’s full recommendation essay is posted on the district’s news page.
Outstanding Educator Award
Chardon Middle School math teacher Adria Fusco received a 2022 Outstanding Educator Award from the Greater Cleveland Council of Teachers of Mathematics. The recognition is awarded to local mathematics educators each year for their significant contribution to mathematics education.
CMS principal Tim Velotta stated, “We have known how great Mrs. Fusco is, but now all of Northeast Ohio does too.”
Schools Launch K-3 Family Resource Bags
Erika Barnett, the district’s K-3 counselor, was awarded a grant from the Chardon Schools Foundation in fall 2021 to fund parent/caregiver resource bags for families in need. The bags officially debuted this spring as an available resource for families of Chardon Early Learning Center, Munson Elementary and Park Elementary schools.
Parent/caregiver resource bags contain age-appropriate reading materials and craft materials and can be requested by parents/caregivers as a supportive resource when students are experiencing loss of a loved one, including loss of a pet; grandparents raising grandkids; divorce/family changes; and big feelings such as anger, sadness and worry. K-3 families are encouraged to contact Mrs. Barnett at any time to request a two-week loan of a resource bag(s).
Mrs. Barnett stated she is grateful to the Chardon Schools Foundation for awarding the generous grant for these resources.
The Chardon Schools Foundation is a non-profit organization that has been providing educational grants to the district’s schools since 1989.
