Archive: Around Town

Four Lansing Faculty members were granted tenure Monday by the Lansing Board of Education.  Elementary School Music Teacher Katie Howell, Elementary Education Teacher Kelly Bosch, Elementary School Teaching Assistant Stacy Stauffenecker were recommended by Acting Elementary School Principal Christine Rebera, and Middle School Science Teacher Ann Bronson was recommended by Middle School Principal Jamie Thomas.

"In the last few years tenure has kind of gotten a bad rap.  It's become more about job security," Said Superintendent Chris Pettograsso.  "But for us in Lansing I don't think it is bad because for us it's really about saying 'You;ve done a fabulous job and we want to continue to invest in you and we feel that you have shown the desire to continue to invest in us.'  So it really is a collaboration and a decision to continue that relationship."

All four were unanimously approved by the school board, after which a celebratory reception was held at the Lansing High School library.


Elementary School Music Teacher Katie Howell

"Katie Howell has been our music teacher for the last two years, taking our music program to new heights," Rebera said.  "We're fortunate to have Katie as she teaches music to every student in our school with a style that's creative and supportive.  She also works wonders with our third and fourth grade chorus and has made a huge contribution to our school community that everybody really enjoys.

"R.C. Buckley Elementary School embraces and included music as often as we can and i thank Katie for adding so much to our school musically, culturally, and personally."

Elementary Education Teacher Kelly Bosch

R.C. Buckley is fortunate to have had Kelly Bosch as a teacher for the last three years," Rebera said.  "Kelly is an excellent teacher who has made a significant contribution to our school as she works with our youngest learners.  She has high standards and assists our students in reaching their learning goals while enjoying their time in their early school experience.

"Kelly is a leader regarding technology, utilizing many new tools in the classroom and also assisting other teachers to incorporate technology into their instruction.  Kindergarten is a joyful place and it surely has been enhanced by Kelly and her work with our students."

Elementary School Teaching Assistant Stacy Stauffenecker

"Stacy is a teaching assistant at R.C. Buckley who works with our Kindergarten and First Grade students on a daily basis," said Rebera.  "How lucky we are to have someone so qualified and professional to do our work that we need to do with our youngest learners.  Stacy guides the children in so many ways, assisting them in every aspect of instruction and daily living in Kindergarten.  She most notably makes a contribution in literacy, working a great deal with our literacy intervention program.  We appreciate Stacy's calm and consistent approach, and the children love her."

Middle School Science Teacher Ann Bronson

"I'm recommending Ann Bronson for tenure," Thompson said.  "Ann is being recommended for tenure after two years of teaching because she was a tenured teacher at a local nearby high school.  She is an outstanding teacher.  To watch Ann teach is... wellit's entertaining.  It's incredibly fun to see the way she presents things.  She is able to present such a high level of instruction while students enjoy it.  It's almost impossible to believe how difficult a vocabulary is, how complicated concepts are, and how much students are simultaneously enjoying themselves.

"I'm particularly connected with this because she teaches two of the courses that i taught for many years when I taught.  She is an outstanding teacher.  I encourage anyone who has the opportunity to watch her, because it's truly a worthwhile show to witness.  She got her undergraduate degree from Binghamton University and her graduate degree from the University of Buffalo.  We're extremely fortunate to have her with us."

v9i22