Exceptional Educators

By Richard A. Ross

A master teacher’s memory
lives on in Tri-Valley

An annual award is given to a teacher in Ruth Scully’s name. A faculty committee selects someone who embodies her laudable attributes.

This past year’s selection was Business Teacher Brenda Hay.

	Contributed photo Brenda Hay, business teacher, Tri-Valley Central School

GRAHAMSVILLE, NY—Ruth Scully was not only a master teacher, she was “a caring and compassionate person who had a way of reaching out to children and her colleagues.”

That s how Tri-Valley Elementary Principal Nancy George remembers her friend and fellow reading teacher, who taught for 31 years before her death on February 27, 1986.

Revered by students and teachers who knew her as a person who would go out of her way to help people in need, Ruth lived her life in service to others.

New teachers who had not yet found a place to live were welcomed into her home. She mentored new teachers before the word came into vogue. Serving on scholarship and negotiating committees, she was a member of Delta Kappa Gamma, an international women’s educational society. But most of all she was devoted to children. Her passing was a terrible blow to the school and the community. To preserve her memory and to keep alive the values she stood for, the Ruth G. Scully Memorial Award Foundation was started in December of 1986 with a $10,000 donation from her husband William.

Spencer Quick, a recently retired Spanish teacher from Tri-Valley heads up a committee that performs four distinct functions. These include:

— The annual recognition of a Tri-Valley teacher who promotes quality education.

— Donation of new books to children in grades K-6 who show the most improvement in their reading scores.

— A $500 scholarship to a student entering the field of teaching

— A donation of the Newberry and Caldecott Award winning books to the Daniel Pierce Library.

Unlike districts where teachers are recognized by the administration, in Tri-Valley a committee of peers makes the selection.  According to Quick, “On the last day of school at a faculty luncheon, the year’s winner is announced amid an atmosphere that is jubilant and, at times, tearful.”

This past June, business education teacher Brenda Hay was selected as the 2002 winner. Citing her role as Future Business Leaders of America advisor, the committee said, “You have spent countless hours guiding your students and molding them into strong effective leaders in the school and community. You have taught them, by example, the importance of service, professional behavior, and the satisfaction that comes from maintaining high standards.”

Brenda Hay was also commended for preparing graduating students by assisting them with resume writing and interviewing skills. In addition, she has taught college-level courses that are useful in preparing students for post-secondary education. Brenda offered a public speaking course that is recognized by the faculty committee for its effectiveness. “You have taken the shyest, most awkward children and turned them into confident, skilled speakers.”

In summing up its reasons for selecting Brenda Hay, the committee noted, “You are held in high esteem by your students and colleagues... like Ruth G. Scully, may you continue to know the satisfaction that comes to those who are generous with the blessings they have been given.”

Past recipients of the Ruth Scully Award were: 1987: Barbara Conover-Reading, 1988: Kathleen Lounsbury-Art, 1989: Cheryl Barner-Math/Computers, 1990: Mary Ann Ronkese-Grade 3, 1991: Charlotte Stratton-Math, 1992: Neil Bright-Social Studies, 1993: Cheryl Koch-Music, 1994: Beth Spence-Agriculture, 1995: Donna Flynn-Brown-Multi-age, 1996: Robert McLean-Art, 1997: Brenda Sloan-Spanish, 1998: Paula Creek-Elementary Library, 1999: Rose Ziniewicz-Language Arts, 2000: Spencer Quick-Spanish, 2001: Debra Sweet-Special Education, 2002: Brenda Hay-Business Education.

Ruth Scully helped teachers and lived for the children. The delight seen in the faces of the children who received books in recognition of their reading achievement would have made Ruth Scully very happy.