NEWARK _ Each year, various Newark Central School District varsity athletic teams hold events at their games to honor teachers who players say made a difference in their lives or influenced them in a special way.
One such example was Friday, September 13th.
Before the Newark Reds Varsity Football game with Dansville, 35 NCSD faculty, and the players who chose them as special teachers in their lives, walked out onto the field to be officially recognized and photographed.
As each player and faculty member walked out onto the field, Kelley School physical education teacher Henry Kuperus, who coaches modified football read a brief statement from each player about how the teachers have their lives.
During halftime, Danielle McGavisk, district director of guidance, re-read the students’ statements and faculty being honored were called back out onto the field.
Mike McGavisk, NHS physical education teacher and head varsity football coach, started the Teacher Appreciation Night events in the district in 2002.
The varsity football players honor teachers every other year.
They also recognize faculty at a reception beforehand and give them photographs of themselves and the players who selected them as a special teacher in their lives after the event. Players also receive a copy of the photo.
McGavisk said he thinks the recognition event _ that is now being done by other varsity athletic teams _ is very important to both the teachers and the athletes.
“It is heartwarming to hear what the athletes write about the teachers they want to honor and I think it is very important for teachers to hear about how they have impacted these students,’’ he said.
In photo below is: NHS senior #60 Dominic Ortiz chose NHS math teacher Lori Reed. ”Mrs. Reed was a great support during my freshmen year. She helped make my transition into high school a lot easier and helped me enjoy math even more,” he wrote of Reed.