Dana Yaro-Linderman receives Guiding Star Award

The Independence Local Schools/New York Life Guiding Star Award was presented to Dana Yaro-Linderman, a seventh grade teacher at Independence Middle School, on Thursday, January 19.  This award honors those teachers that go above and beyond the call of duty each semester.  Students, colleagues, parents and/or a community member can nominate teachers that deserve special recognition. Dana was nominated by one of her colleagues at the middle school as well as a student.

Dana received a $250 professional development grant from New York Life agents Jo Ann L. Keller, LUTCF and Jeff Malarik.  She also received at $250 professional development grant from the Independence Educational Foundation.  In addition, Dana was presented with flowers and a gift certificate from Independence Flowers & Gifts as well as, a gift certificate to Shula’s 2 Restaurant.

Dana’s nomination states, “Dana does not have a teaching job, rather a vocation calling.  Her passion not only is for her subject area, but her students.  While her approach is traditional, the structure and rigor is most effective with her students whose performance is a testament to her talents. She works countless hours and goes above and beyond to create learning opportunities for all her students so that they might gain and achieve.”

Congratulations to Independence Middle School’s sixth grade teacher Michelle Koussa for being honored in December with the Plain Dealer’s Crystal Apple Award.  The award-winning nomination was written by sixth grade student Emily.

Mrs. Koussa was surprised in her classroom with representatives from the Plain Dealer, Bryant & Stratton College, the sponsor, her husband, Tony, administrators, peers, and students.

To show appreciation to the area’s finest educators, four times a year the Plain Dealer solicits nominees for the Crystal Apple Award.  This award is a tribute to outstanding teachers currently teaching full-time (grades K-12) in a school system within Cuyahoga, Lake, Lorain, Summit, Portage, Geauga, and Medina counties.

Students are asked to write a letter explaining why their teacher deserves the honor.  Hundreds of letters are submitted each contest period in which an independent panel of judges selects the very best teachers from the grade categories of Kindergarten-5, 6-8, and 9-12.

The Plain Dealer’s Educational Services Department, along with the student, personally congratulates the teacher at their school following each contest period.  A banquet is then held in May each year honoring all 12 teachers and students who nominated them throughout the school year.

Click here to view the news coverage of the Town Hall Meeting on January 19, 2012 at the Middle School.