Issue link: https://digital.copcomm.com/i/99010
Great Schools make Great Communities Toni Marioni WJBR's October Teacher of the Month ominated by Deanna Bilecki, also a Kindergarten teacher at Brandywine Springs Elementary School in Red Clay, Marioni and her class were surprised when WJBR's Brian Demay walked in to her room two days before Thanksgiving. With him were her principal, a representative from DSEA, Bilecki and other fans from the school. N From WJBR 99.5FM she received a plaque and a gift certificate for two for dinner at Caffe Gelato in Newark. Said Bilecki in her nomination, "I have worked with Toni for four years. She is an exemplary Kindergarten teacher and teaching model . Toni spends countless hours volunteering her time for the school and the community She . heads Service Club which does projects throughout the year including serving dinner at the Ronald McDonald House. She took some time off to volunteer for the 3rd grade trip to Sandy Hill, then came back to school to help with the 8th grade dance. Toni never asks for recognition, but just steps up to serve. She builds lasting bonds with students, and I am proud to call her a colleague." In its second year, DSEA's sponsorship of this recognition program includes weekly radio spots done by DSEA President Frederika Jenner encouraging the public to nominate a special teacher for some overdue recognition. Go to www.wjbr.com and click on Contests at the top. Then click on VIP Contests and Teacher of the Month. You have to register first, but that's easy . www.dsea.org Deanna Bilecki (left) and WJBR's Brian Demay (right) surprise Kindergarten teacher Toni Marioni whom Bilecki nominated to be WJBR's October Teacher of the Month. WDSD recognizing ESP of the Month New this year, in partnership with WDSD 94.7FM (Today's Best Country), we are sponsoring an AllStar Educator of the Month, a chance for the public to nominate an ESP employee – a paraprofessional, aide, school secretary, custodian, food service worker or custodian. Each month 94.7 WDSD and the Delaware State Education Association will honor a local "Unsung Hero," an Education Support Professional, paraprofessional, aide, school secretary, cafeteria worker, custodian, or bus driver who goes the extra mile and is making a difference in the lives of their schools' students. In 100 words or less, nominators are encouraged to explain why this person is their favorite Education All-Star. Go to www.wdsd.com and look for "DSEA All-Star in Education." The program includes frequent promotions on the station during the day, as well as 60-second radio spots recorded by our own DSEA officers, Mike Hoffmann (vice president and a para in Colonial), and Karen Crouse (treasurer, and a financial secretary in Lake Forest). While you're on the web, check out the web site at www.great schoolsgreatcommunities.com where we've put News about public education, Teacher Tips including some video (for both parents and students), Delaware Schools Work (great things that are happening) and an Action Center where people can email letters to the editor and/or their legislators. We also invite them to sign a petition in support of great public schools. Great Schools Facebook page has an amazing 8,842 "likes" We run DSEA radio spots in support of great public schools yearlong on WDEL 1150AM. We also use our Great Schools funding for month-long radio spots at strategic times during the school year, i.e. January, sometimes May, and the back-to-school period in August. In addition to a community website, we have a Great Schools Great Communities facebook page at www.facebook.com/great schoolsgreatcommunities. Check it out! See what parents and others are saying about various posts. Radio ads continue yearlong Nov./Dec. 2012 DSEA ACTION! 17