Archive: Around Town

Tompkins Trust Company and the Legacy Foundation of Tompkins County honored five local educators with a 2011 Raymond Van Houtte Teacher Award for improving education in Tompkins County.

Recognized in individual ceremonies were recipients Mary Cole, Cathy Moseley, Sandy Duncan, Randi Beckmann and Lana Craig.

The award dates back to 1990, when the Tompkins Trust Company donated $25,000 to the Tompkins County Foundation (now known as the Legacy Foundation of Tompkins County) to honor the late Raymond Van Houtte, bank president and chief executive officer from 1974-1989.

Mr. Van Houtte had a strong interest in improving education for our young people, and it is in that spirit that the donation was made to the Foundation. Since 1991, the bank has recognized 63 teachers or programs with awards totaling over $38,000.

This year, the joint Awards Selection Committee divided $2,000 from this endowment among the honorees. A capsule of each winner follows:


Cathy Moseley, Lansing Middle School & High School. With Cathy as their advisor, the Class of 2011 raised enough money to take an overnight senior trip, for the first time in Lansing’s history. She helps students prepare for the Shakespeare competition, the Cornell model UN Conference, the Knowledge Masters Open, and the American High School Math Competition. Sandy Duncan, Dryden Middle School. In addition to teaching music, Sandy is the advisor to the “Beyond Measures” singing group, the 6th, 7th and 8th grade choruses and the high school chorus. She prepared an anti-bullying program and arranged for a select choir of 220 students to participate in a professional recording session of “Will You Teach Me.”

Mary Cole, Enfield Elementary. A beloved family liaison, Mary is known for her behind-the-scenes compassion and advocacy. She coordinates the food backpack program, works with families to help transition children to middle school, and facilitates the GED program in the Enfield Community.


Randi Beckmann, Belle Sherman Elementary. Jointly nominated by the Ithaca City School District and the Ithaca Pubic Education Initiative (IPEI), Randi earned her English as a Second Language certification to become the ESOL first grade teacher at Belle Sherman. She also serves as a vital link between the school system and the Kids Discovery the Trail program of the IPEI.

Lana Craig, Ithaca High School. During her 20 years at Ithaca High School, the Spanish program has grown and her students have distinguished themselves with strong results on exams. She is in the cabinet of the Ithaca Teachers’ Association and effectively mentors both colleagues and students.

Annually, Tompkins Trust Company invites principals, administrators, and district superintendents to nominate worthy educators, support staff, or paraprofessionals who have shown exceptional ability, effort and quantifiable results in improving primary or secondary education in Tompkins County.

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