News Summary

SPRINGFIELD — Teacher Rick Yontz is known around Warder Park-Wayne Elementary School for his cookyness, sweater vests and ability to get students to stretch their minds.

The latter reputation is what recently earned the fifth-grade science teacher the recognition as Miami Valley Invention Convention's Teacher of Excellence.

Invention Convention Executive Director Cherylyn Ruhston said Yontz was deserving of the award because of his ability to inspire students to think beyond their imaginations.

Yontz was nominated by Elena Ackerson, Springfield City Schools coordinator of the Gifted and Talented Program.

Yontz thanked his family when honored by board members at their meeting on March 13.

"I couldn't have received this honor without all the hard work of my students," he said.

The Invention Convention is a program under Just Think Inc., an educational development nonprofit based in Ohio.

The group encourages students and teachers to invent new ideas and gadgets in the classroom.

Every year students develop and submit inventions for contests in order to earn scholarships.

Contact this reporter at (937) 328-0373 or lsullivan@coxohio.com