submitted by Paula Kamperman
The Hoosick Falls Central School PTA annually seeks nominations to honor community members who make outstanding contributions to the well-being of children and youth. This year’s award recipient is Michelle Culver, fourth grade teacher at Hoosick Falls Central School. [private]
She was honored at the PTA’s year-end celebration on June 2. In addition to her recognition as someone who makes a difference in our community, Culver was awarded $100 to give to a children’s association/organization of her choice. She chose Reach Out & Read, a nationwide children’s literacy program that serves 4.5 million children annually.
Culver received numerous nominations from colleagues, parents and students. Many individuals nominating her wrote about her patience, diligence and professionalism throughout her 30-year career at Hoosick Falls Central School. Fellow teacher, Katie Brownell wrote, “As a new teacher Mrs. Culver was one of the first people who took the time to introduce herself…. I cannot begin to quantify how much I have benefited from her patience, wisdom, and generosity. I have learned so much from her, and I would not be the teacher that I have become today, if not for her friendship.”
Whether she was lending her talents to faculty play productions, fundraisers, or serving as the fourth-grade team coordinator, Culver spread her vast talents throughout the Hoosick Falls community over her 30-year career. Jennifer Borge, a parent of a fourth grader said, “She has the ability to reach all students through her guidance and differentiation of content. She develops a rapport with students and they know they are cared for during the school year. Mrs. Culver is patient, and is diligent in making sure students are successful on a daily basis, no matter their ability level.”
Many of Mrs. Culver’s fourth-grade students also read aloud their nomination letters at the celebration honoring her.
The PTA Founders’ Day (February 17, 1897) is the story of a group of lay people, a few thousand at first, now millions throughout the land, who make it their task to build a world of happy promise for children. In observing Founders’ Day, members pay tribute to the founders and to other PTA leaders. Recipients of this award are recognized as people who carry on that “happy promise for children.” Past recipients of this PTA award are: Kenneth Baker, Joyce Brewer, Terri Burdick, Cathy Corcoran, Jim Cormier, Bill Gaillard, Dawn Gilbert, Helen Hemendinger, Joseph Holloway, Penny Holmes, Jason Jansen, Steve Johnson, Helen Levandowski, Leo McGuire, Lillian Mitchie, the staff at Morning Star Daycare and Preschool, Aelish Nealon, Dale Ninivaggi, T.J. Rasmus, Frank Redden, Sharon Sigot, Virginia Skorupski, Ike Stevens, Marion Stevens, Greg Wilson, and Father Tom Zelker.[/private]