SPRINGFIELD — Behind every high school graduate stands many people — parents, siblings, family, friends — and teachers.
Clark County’s top students from the public districts and Springfield-Clark Career Tech Center recognized their selected teachers Monday, June 8, at the annual Larry K. Zerkle Excellence in Education Awards.
Started in 1994, the Excellence in Education Awards was named for founder and retired Clark County Educational Service Center Superintendent known for asking “Is that good for boys and girls?” after making decisions. It recognizes top students from each school, as well as a teacher of their choosing.
Monday’s awards, attended by parents, principals, superintendents and board members, were filled with stories of educators who taught extraordinary lessons in their subject matter and life, put in countless extra hours, wrote college recommendations and edited essays, challenged them to strive for more and lifted them up to help them meet their goals.
Kenton Ridge Senior Amaal Salhiel described her struggles with confidence in high school. When she scored her first Varsity goal as a sophomore on the soccer team, she spotted teacher and coach Michael Sherrock running up down the sidelines with excitement. In class the next day, the words “Amaal Salhieh goal” were written on Sherrock’s board.
“He has instilled a confidence in me that I could never have achieved on my own,” she said.
Twenty-eight students and their teachers were recognized as well as educators Bill Botkin and Marge Greenwood, two retiring Clark County educators who have a total of 90 years experience in education. For a list of those honored, go here.
Contact this reporter at 937-328-0373 or at mgildow@coxohio.com.
