Lyndonville honors 3 as educators of the year

District also recognizes retiring teachers and staff

Photos by Tom Rivers: Lyndonville honored three teachers as educators of the year during the Board of Education meeting on Monday evening. Pictured form left include Jenna Goheen, a second grade teacher; Joanne Suhr, a third grade teacher; and Katie Strusienski, a K-6 reading teacher.

LYNDONVILLE – The school district honored three “Educators of the Year” during the Board of Education meeting on Monday.

Each of the recipients also will get a $1,000 grant towards an educational initiative.

The educators of the year for 2021-22 include Jenna Goheen, a second grade teacher; Joanne Suhr, a third grade teacher; and Katie Strusienski, a K-6 reading teacher.

Goheen was commended by District Superintendent Sharon Smith for transitioning from teaching first grade to second grade. Goheen fosters a love of learning in her students, Smith said.

Goheen said she will use the $1,000 so each second-grader can receive a new book each month next school year to encourage their reading.

Goheen said she enjoys the “close-knit community” at Lyndonville, and working with siblings and family members of her former students.

Suhr is also retiring after 30 years as an elementary teacher. She currently teaches third grade and specializes in teaching math to all third-graders. She said she is grateful for her co-workers, who are all deserving of the award.

She will listen to ideas from other teachers about how to use the $1,000 grant. She would like to use it for a science project.

“I feel blessed to have worked here,” she said. “The students are all individuals here. Lyndonville has my heart.”

Strusienski, a reading teacher for students in grades kindergarten through 6, was praised for helping students who are struggling with reading. She builds a rapport with the students and helps them with their reading skills, Smith said.

Strusienski said she will use the $1,000 to go towards a book vending machine. She has been managing a birthday book program where students in grades K to 6 receive a book for their birthday. With the book vending machine, the students can pick out their own book.

Lyndonville recognized these retirees, including from left: Margaret Dix, bus driver; Joe DiPassio, Jr., business administrator; James O’Connor, middle school math teacher; Lori Lamay, district clerk and assistant to superintendent; Lisa Lewis, an elementary and intermediate teacher; and Joanne Suhr, an elementary teacher. Not pictured are elementary teachers Amy Beutel and Laurel Pitzrick.

“There are decades and decades of service to this district walking out the door and we will miss you all,” Ted Lewis, the Board of Education president, told the group.

The following teachers were also recognized with tenure: Kimberly Dumond and Elaine Thompson.

Dumond is a special education teacher. She was praised for creating a warm environment in her classroom and helping her students build real-world skills.

Thompson, an elementary teacher, was credited for a calm and nurturing approach and for helping her students “come out of her classroom as a young readers.”