A tradition began this week to celebrate the educators who serve our students at Nome Public Schools. In addition to recognizing milestones with the district, the first annual Employee Recognition Ceremony celebrated our first Teacher of the Year, Educational Support Professional of the Year, and the retirement of long-time employee Richard Beneville.
Tables were piled high with red king crab and desserts as over 100 educators and community members gathered at Nome Elementary. JROTC student cadets served seafood appetizers while people milled about the festive room, just days before the end of school.
Superintendent Shawn Arnold says it’s the first ceremony of its kind in Nome.
“We celebrate milestones throughout our life—our 21st birthday, our 16th birthday, our 40th birthday. It’s really impressive: one of the amazing things about Nome Public Schools is the longevity of our staff,” said Arnold. “We don’t have a lot of turnover here. When they come here, they come here to stay. They call this a community; they call this a home.”
The first staff to be recognized have been with the district for five years: Victoria Ketchum, Josh Vaughn, Kent Runion, Brian Marvin, and Sylvia Matson. Meanwhile, athletic coach Pat Callahan has now been with Nome-Beltz for over 10 years.
Ian McRae and John Mikulski celebrated their 15-year milestone, while Alaska Native Education teacher Josie Bourdon and Technology Director Robin Johnson were both recognized for 25 years of service.
One staff member greeted a second round of applause when she became the first Educational Support Professional of the Year.
“This individual is always pleasant, friendly, and a very welcoming presence to anyone coming into the building,” Arnold read from the nomination. “Very resourceful, always willing to go the extra distance to make sure that the day run smoothly. Her communication is always positive, encouraging and supportive.
“So with that, our first classified support of the year is Ms. Sylvia Matson.”
Matson and the first Nome Teacher of the Year will have their names affixed to a perpetual plaque that will hang in the district office. And speaking of that Teacher of the Year, Arnold says it was a tough call.
“Over 12 teachers were nominated from community members, from students, from staff members. It was really tough. One teacher kind of stood out.”
And that was Sandi Keller, a 1st grade teacher who was nominated for being “an outstanding teacher who meets each student’s individual needs.”
“‘It is clear that she is perpetually analyzing her classroom and seeking ways to instruct her students to bring about the best outcomes.’ And this is just a sample of one of the nominations we received on this teacher,” said Arnold.
A teary-eyed Keller called all her current and former students to stand with her, and accepted her award after a group hug.
“If it wasn’t for them, I wouldn’t get this award. I am very humbled and honored to get it. Thank you very much. Quyanna!” Keller said.
Lisa Leeper was also recognized for her selection as a BP Teacher of Excellence. But tears and cheers did not end there, as the rest of the celebration was spent talking about a very special member of the Nome community, whose photograph will now join the elders lining the Elementary School Common.
“I bring my tourists into the school every now and then and I brag about these picture—about how our town and our community and our region feels about our elders. So this means a huge amount to me. Thank you,” said Richard Beneville. “And it is airbrushed. I haven’t looked that good in 20 years!”
But no celebration is complete without a poetic ode, this one offered by Jake Kenick.
“I pieced this together with the hearts of a lot of people, and I hope I got it right.
“Richard Beneville:
For 30 years he’s been here,
A wonder to our town.
He started off a pauper,
But well deserves a crown.
When asking about Dickey,
You’ll find some common parts.
You’ll hear he’s always working
And rooted in the arts.
He guides the unfamiliar
Who come to visit Nome.
He’ll teach them our rich history
And make them feel at home.
A teacher to the public—
No time to shilly-shally.
When history meets theatrics
You’ll meet Nome River Sally.
The students that he mentored
For all the many years
Have blossomed with his guidance
And basked in all the cheers.
To know him is a lesson
You’ll learn from clever wit.
He sees your true potential
And makes sure you don’t quit.
At Christmas time Nome glistened,
As we’d migrate in the cold
To see his pageant magic
And leave with hearts of gold.
The crafts he taught are plenty:
Ballet to speech and plays.
His raising of our spirits
Deserves the highest praise.
As you end your years of service
Our home was truly blessed.
To the many that you’ve mentored
You’ll always be the best.
You’re sewn into our fabric;
You’ve aged like brilliant wine.
You’ve made us all eclectic
And that makes you divine.
We toast a man for all the times
From future to ancestral,
And bid to you a fond farewell,
By saying ‘Hello Central.’”
Reporting in Nome, I’m Jenn Ruckel.
