Exceptional Educators

By Richard A. Ross

Tammy Olver: Teacher of the year

	Contributed photo Tammy Olver teaches at Lakeside Elementary School in Honesdale, PA.

HONESDALE, PA — For Tammy Olver of Lakeside Elementary School, the journey to becoming a successful teacher began when she was in elementary school.

“I was blessed with many wonderful teachers throughout my education. A very special teacher influenced me as a third grader. I remember even today some of the activities, projects and stories we read in her classroom. Even then, I knew I wanted to be like Mrs. Kovalchick,” Olver said.

Olver, a product of the Wayne Highlands school district, graduated from Honesdale High School in 1990 and went on to Marywood University where she earned a B.S. in elementary education in 1994 and began teaching as a per diem and as a long-term substitute. Olver received her M.S. from Wilkes University in 1999.

She is by all accounts an exceptional teacher and a wonderfully warm person. When she first came to Lakeside eight years ago as a student teacher, she was taken under the wing of Mrs. Marylou Keller, a second grade teacher who had taught there for many years. Mrs. Keller was held in the highest esteem by parents, children and her colleagues. She and Tammy were always together, and in no time, the charisma, professionalism and dynamic teaching style of the soon to be retired Keller was passed along to the young Olver. Years later, now a seasoned veteran, Olver continues the tradition.

“She is a role model and mentor to many young teachers who are just starting out,” Lakeside Principal Sam Tallo said.

Olver was recently selected by V.F.W. Post 531 as Teacher of the Year, an honor that came as little surprise to Tallo. “I had the privilege of having her as a student in fifth grade at Wayne Highlands Middle School where I taught science. She was special even then,” he said.

During the 2001-2002 school year, Mrs. Olver was trying to decide what to do with her second grade class to commemorate Veterans’ Day. She decided to have the children write cards and send them to the local VFW post. Their messages were about freedom, sacrifices and service to the country. The cards were up a long time when Dennis Glinski, the commander of the post realized that they came from his own son’s class. He initiated the process to nominate Olver as “Teacher of the Year”.

While on maternity leave this past November, Olver found out over the phone that she was being considered for the award. She won and received a check for $100 from the VFW post, which is part of a two-year revitalization program designed to renew community programs.

What will Olver do with the money? She has decided to spend it wisely on none other than school supplies, of course.

The Lakeside Elementary School and Wayne Highlands district are proud of Tammy Olver. Her creativity and enthusiasm has been an inspiration to her students and her community. In short, Tammy Olver exemplifies all the attributes of an exceptional educator. Like Mrs. Kovalchik was for her, Olver is likely to become an inspiration for those she now teaches.