Nominate a Teacher for a Voices of Inspiration Award

In 2013, Pottstown High School teacher Cal Benfield,
second from right, 

received a Voices of Inspiration Award.

Most of us remember the teachers who inspired us.

Not surprisingly, for me it was mostly social studies and English teachers, although I am forever thankful to Pleasantville High School math teacher Frank Pepper for teaching me how geometry works.

So yes, as individuals we remember our teachers, but are those teachers "remembered?"

They can be, if you nominate them for the Freedom Credit Union and the Montgomery County Intermediate Unit 2015 “Voices of Inspiration” Award for Teaching Excellence.

That person could be a teacher, counselor, librarian, or specialist in your school.

Recognizing notable educators is easy: nominate that person today, and encourage others in your school community to do the same.

When students, parents, co-workers, administrators, and school employees nominate the exceptional educators in their lives…

• A teacher in your school could win $500! 23 Finalists are chosen and honored, then three Grand-Prize Winners are selected from these Finalists, and receive $500. A teacher from your school could be a winner.
• Your school could win $500! The school in Montgomery County with the most nominations will win $500 to use for any educational purpose.

Nominations are the heart of the “Voices of Inspiration” Awards, so it is important to raise awareness in your school about the program and the nomination process.

Nominations can be submitted online by visiting voicesofinspiration.org or mciu.org.

The deadline for nominations is April 1, 2015!

Address questions to Susan Baranowski at 215-612-5928 or email barnowskis@freedomcu.org; or Tina Viletto at 755-9305 or email tvieltto@mciu.org.

And the Winner Is.....

Photo by Evan Brandt

The Pottstown School District's Teachers of the Year wait to find out which will will represent the district in the statewide Teacher of the Year Competition. They are, from left, Sarah Paul, Julie Boettcher, Mandy Wampole, Jamie Fazekas, Amy Gazillo, Arden Moore and Kelly Smale.

Well for the umpteenth year in the row, the Pottstown School District chose to combine one of the most important votes of the year, the adoption of the tentative budget for the year, with a number of other ceremonies including the Teacher of the Year.

So, while families of the teachers talked with each other after the naming of the district's Teacher of the Year (I'm not telling, you have to read the Tweets), the board voted 7-2 to spend $55.9 million.

Photo by Evan Brandt

The 16th consecutive Distinguished Unit ribbon is attached to the 

Pottstown High School Air Force JROTC flag by 

Schools Superintendent Jeff Sparagansa. 

Not that you'd know that from looking at the meeting agenda, where other crucial amounts like the hourly rate for the cafeteria manager are dutifully noted. But hey, why would you want to know what the budget is at a public meeting where, you know, you might offer public comment or something.

It's almost as if the budget vote is an after-thought, a sideshow after the main event.

Silly public.

And you thought it was YOUR school district.

You only get to pay for it.

There is still one more budget vote, in June.

In the meantime, this "proposed budget" is available for public review for 30 days, as required by law, after which you can offer public comment when, you know, its too late.

Please find below the Tweets and one Tout video from last night's meeting. And remember to click the blue "Read Next Page" bar to make sure you've got it all.

Local Voices of Inspiration

Pottsgrove Middle School Teacher Deborah Frasca, second from right, is honored as one of Montgomery County's Voices of Inspiration. Also pictured is, from left, Deanna Durante, NBC10 Reporter, John F. King, Executive Vice-President/COO from Freedom Credit Union, and Dr. Jerry W. Shiveley, MCIU Executive Director/CEO.

Two area middle school teachers were among those honored recently for being finalists in the annual Montgomery County Voices of Inspiration Award.

Deborah Frasca was the middle school finalist for the Pottsgrove School District. Allen Ferster was the nominee for Pottstown Middle School.

Twenty-three finalists—one from each of the 21 Montgomery County school districts, one from a non-public school in the county, and one from the MCIU—were honored with a plaque and cash award at the ceremony, which took place at the Philadelphia Marriott West in Conshohocken.

“Freedom is proud to recognize this well-deserving group of educators as true voices of inspiration,” said Lee T. MacMinn, Freedom Credit Union President/CEO. “We are happy that Voices of Inspiration has received such a warm response and great participation from the Montgomery County School Districts.”

 Approximately 125 educators, superintendents, and other supporters joined Freedom to commend the awardees on their superior commitment to teaching.

Frasca was selected by nominations from students, teachers, and parents.

Pottsgrove Middle School

Mrs. Frasca represented Pottsgrove at the Voices of Inspiration awards ceremony. She is the Enrichment Teacher at Pottsgrove Middle School.

Frasca graduated from Eastern University with a bachelors in education, where she studied English. She is a wife and mother of two girls.

In her spare time, she leads the puppet ministry at her church, New Hanover United Methodist.

Her students commented below:

"Mrs. Frasca is a great overall teacher who works to inspire us to do our best." -- Eric Maynard.

"Mrs. Frasca really worked with me this year to challenge me to become a better student as wells as a better person." -- Liz Driehaus

Pottstown Middle School was represented by Allen Ferster,
2nd from right.

The Voices of Inspiration Award was created by Freedom Credit Union and the Montgomery County Intermediate Unit to recognize and reward teachers throughout Montgomery County.

Initiated in 2007, the Award honors exceptional educators and their commitment to students, families, and the community as a whole.

Nominations, based on an individual’s contributions or performance during that school year, or for cumulative efforts over many years, may be submitted by any of the following people: students, parents, co-workers, administrators, or school employees.

The nominee should clearly demonstrate an extraordinary dedication to teaching young people, while exhibiting the qualities that represent a truly inspirational educator.



Twenty-three finalists, one teacher from each of the 21 Montgomery County public school districts, one teacher from the Montgomery County Intermediate Unit, and one teacher from a Montgomery County non-public school, will receive $100 and be recognized at Freedom’s Voices of Inspiration Award banquet.

From these 23 finalists, three winners (one high school, one middle school, and one elementary school teacher) will be awarded with Freedom’s Voices of Inspiration Award and $500 each.

This year's grand prize winners were: Michele Beddis (Skippack Elementary School - Perkiomen Valley School District), Alan Eickhoff (Springfield Township Senior High School – Springfield Township School District), and Andrea Lewis (Wissahickon Middle School – Wissahickon School District).

The three schools (one elementary school, one middle school, and one high school) in Montgomery County with the most nominations will win a cash prize for their school to use for any educational purpose; the school with the most nominations will receive $500, and the two runners-up will receive $250 each.

Lend Your Voice to Recognize Exceptional Teachers

Does your child's teacher inspire?

Do you think he or she should be recognized?

There's a way you can help make that happen, by nominating him or her for the annual Voices of Inspiration Award, sponsored by the Montgomery County Intermediate Unit and Freedom Credit Unions.

In the five years since the Voices of Inspiration Awards for Teaching Excellence were created, more than 110 extraordinary educators have been honored for their dedication, effort and care in the classroom.

This program would not be possible without your nominations of exceptional educators! When your students, parents, co-workers, administrators, and school employees nominate excellent educators a teacher in your school could win up to $500.

Pottstown Middle School Teacher Stephen Allen

There are 23 winners chosen, all of whom receive $100, and there are 3 grand-prize winners chosen, all of whom receive $500. A teacher from your school could be a winner!

Several Pottstown teachers have been winners over the years.

Last year, it was Middle School Social Studies Teacher Stephen Allen, a 24-year veteran at the time.

In an item posted on the Pottstown School District web site at the time, "Allen is described by colleagues and students as, "dependable, consistent, dedicated, very unique, outstanding, generous, and an excellent teacher."  
And when your child's teachers win, your child's school wins.

Your school could win up to $500 – The 3 schools in Montgomery County (one elementary school, one middle school, and one high school) with the most nominations will win a cash prize for their school to use for any educational purpose.

The school with the most nominations will receive $500. The runners-up will each receive $250.

All finalists will be honored at the 2012 Voices of Inspiration banquet on Wednesday, May 9, and the three grand-prize winners and three most-nomination schools will also be announced at this time.

Today is a great day to nominate that exceptional educator, and encourage others in your school community to do the same! Please spread the word about this terrific program, because time is running out.

The deadline for nominations is March 16, 2012.

Nominations can be submitted online by visiting voicesofinspiration.org or mciu.org. You can email your form back to voiawards@freedomcu.org.