WEF - Professional Staff Recognition 2007

Professional Staff Recognition 2007

Each March for the last 16 years or so, Wellesley Education Foundation has honored those men and women who have contributed 25 years of devoted service to the Wellesley Public Schools whether it is as administrator, staff, or teacher with a Staff Recognition Ceremony. To quote Matt King, "In honoring these individuals, we honor the profession of teaching and the community which values quality schools."
Wellesley College opens up the President's house to serve as the perfect setting for this event. Honorees, their families, and guests arrive to balloons and corsages, wine and food. Wellesley College host, Barbara Beatty who is Director of Education, followed by Terri Tsagaris, WEF president, Michael Young, School Committee Chair, and Superintendent of Schools, Matt King made the welcoming remarks.
This year's honorees were Barbara Noun and Jean Murphy, who actually accumulated their 25 years in 2006, and the 2007 group of Patricia Hickey, Christine Molonea, Peter Mitchell, and William Tracey.
The actual program finds each honoree sitting in 'the seat of honor' (a facsimile of the college armchair they receive as a gift from the Foundation) whereupon they are feted, roasted, and admired by a chosen colleague. This year's tributes were emotional, heartfelt, and sometimes quite amusing such as Bill Tracey's comments that he is" still living the dream" - working with wood and playing football just like when he was a young boy in his father's workshop and as a player on the football field.
Bill is an Industrial Technology teacher at the Middle School and Wellesley High School's varsity football coach. His colleague Gene Varley was his chosen speaker. A few years ago Bill performed the same role for Gene.
Her friend and former colleague, Margot Boyd, feted Barbara Noun, presently teaching first grade at the Upham School. Margot mentioned how telling it is that a senior when honoring the most important teacher in his school career should pick his first grade teacher.
Unfortunately, Jean Murphy, now a secretary in the main office at the high school, was unable to attend due to illness but her son and husband spoke on her behalf. Jean has worked in my different aspects in supporting Wellesley teachers and students and values the relationships she's made.
Patty Hickey, Wellesley High's athletic trainer, was honored by Wellesley's new athletic director John Brown equipped with a lot of input from Patti's former boss, Ted Tripp. Patty's entire career has been spent with Wellesley's athletes and given that she's highly recruited by other communities and chooses to stay put, says a lot for her devotion to the school system's athletic program.
Peter Mitchell had many of his WMS English department colleagues in attendance but it was John D'Auria, middle school principal, who spoke of Peter and his 25 year career, using his gifts of vision and creativity to engage each and every one of his students over that time.
Lastly, WHS Health and Fitness and Girls Varsity Field Hockey coach, Chris Molonea was feted by her colleague Toni Duvall who made the group laugh over Molonea-isms like 'Okey Dokey Smokey" but was sincere in her praise of Chris as a valued mentor, role model not only for her female athletes but for her peers.