Farmington Public Schools Honors Teachers

On Monday, Farmington Public Schools Superintendent Sue Zuvalec traveled to three buildings to honor the best of the best among district teaching staff.

Harrison High science teacher Kevin Miesner was first on the list; he said he was "speechless" at being honored. "I don't know how to put it into words," he said. "It means that these students care ... It means I'm reaching the students, which is all you can to hope to do."

Science department chair, teacher coach and advisor/coach for several student groups, Miesner was nominated by principal Aaron Johnson, parent Karen Brichford and students Meredy Brichford, Kishan Patel, Stephanie Sanders and Alex Wheeler. All of them described him as a passionate teacher who goes out of his way to be accessible to students and instill a love of science in them.

At O.E. Dunckel Middle School, Jon Vondrasek was startled when an entourage of family and co-workers came through his classroom door. Colleague Jerry Morrissey, parent Julie Devine and student Lucy Devine submitted his nomination, praising his dedication to "life-long learning," his leadership in the school and his ability to make learning fun.

Vondrasek's mother Janet shared an emotional story about how she learned her son planned to go into education.

"Jon called one day while he was going to Michigan State," she said. "He was going to go into packaging. He said I want to change what I'm doing ... I want to be a teacher, I want to make a difference."

"I feel extremely honored to get this, because ... in my eyes, every teacher in this school is a good teacher," Jon Vondrasek said. "I consider myself as representing Dunckel."

A great of deal scheming went into surprising the Elementary School Teacher of the Year, Bobbie Blazo. Students were in an assembly, ostensibly about their Japan Day later this week. Zurvalec came out from behind a curtain in the gymnasium to announce the surprise.

Blazo's nominators included colleague Laura Orlowski, parent Joseph Borri and former student Alex Wheeler.

"It's amazing, I'm stunned," Blazo said. "The principal came to me a few weeks ago and said people want to nominate you for teacher of the year. I told her, it's not just about me. I'm blessed to work with great colleagues, great parents and great students."

Nominators pointed over and over again to Blazo's commitment to her students, and Blazo admits she encourages kids to "color outside the lines". In January, she watched Wheeler perform the lead role in Harrison High's production of Seussical, the Musical.

"It was the greatest bonus to see him do that and reach his full potential," she said. 

As she tried to get her arms around all of her students as they gathered around her after the ceremony, Blazo told them, "A car is really nice, but the best is to spend the day with you."