Middle School Band Director Mark Hagemann introduced the two honorees this year - elementary music teacher Jennifer Filipiak and high school teacher science Tim Penfield.
Before announcing this year’s honorees, Middle School band teacher Hagemann reflected on how things have changed so much since he started teaching 33 years ago.
“Perhaps the biggest change has been the physical environment in which we work. For the most part, we are teaching in modern, air-conditioned classrooms but this wasn’t always the case.” He recalled his first teaching year in South Bend, Indiana in a 1920s building. He talked about the age and difference in the building then from the schools today.
“We've certainly experienced a myriad of changes since then. One thing that hasn't changed in all these years is that we still have teachers that go above and beyond the call of duty, in service to our students and our community. The TKEA would like to honor two outstanding, hard-working teachers - Jen Filipiak and Tim Penfield.”
Filipiak is an elementary music teacher who works one semester at Lee Elementary then moves for the second half of the year to Page Elementary. Courtney VanVliet nominated Filipiak for the honor. “It would take many pages to begin to explain all that Jen does for her students, her fellow staff members and our TK district,” said VanVliet.
“Jen can be prescribed as loving, caring, committed, passionate and wise beyond her years. However, the adjective I love most to describe Jen is fun. Jen has a zest for life that radiates to all those around her. In a world where school has become rigorous and test scores are at the top of conversations, fun can quickly be eliminated from the school day,” said VanVliet. “Jen provides a fun space for her students while teaching them the fundamentals of music, her students are privileged to have time set aside each week for fun. They sing and dance. They learn to read music, play instruments and learn how to perform for an audience. For some students, this is where they develop an interest in music or are able to express their musical talents that otherwise would go unnoticed.”
VanVliet also commented about Filipiak’s ability to direct three separate holiday shows for all Lee students and a musical at Page with separate casts for different shows. “The time, effort, passion and desire to serve our students is evident if you have had the privilege of watching one of her concerts or musicals.”
VanVliet said Filipiak is a friend and colleague. “She's one of the most humble, kind-hearted people I've ever met…I appreciate and respect her dedication to her gift of music and admire that she passionately shares it with all of us.”
Jeff Dock talked about his colleague Tim Penfield, a high school science teacher. “Tim Penfield - negotiator, coach, teacher, colleague, friend,” he said. “People that teach next to him are inspired every day. And to be able to recognize him in this fashion - for everything that he’s done throughout his career to make this place the best possible place to impact students and the way he impacts students on a daily basis - is an honor to me,” said Dock.
“We love kids. We get after it and we just do what we do because we’re teachers. We’re educators. So deep down, we kind of think, well, I don’t really know if I deserve this honor. Tim, you deserve this, and we appreciate everything that you’ve done for the district.”
Both Filipiak and Penfield received a plaque of appreciation and a heartfelt round of applause from the staff.