School Extra Milers

A number of Extra Miler awards followed several local school improvement council (LSIC) presentations at recent Morgan County School Board meetings.

Warm Springs Middle School Virtual Spanish teacher Hazel Morton was honored as an Extra Miler at the March 6 school board meeting at the middle school.

Morton was described as a caring teacher who runs a tight ship and who has high expectations of her students. The school’s Virtual Spanish program has been ranked number one in the state.

At the board meeting, some of her students performed a skit of ordering food at a restaurant in Spanish. Several students requested their meals in fluent Spanish while being waited on by other students who posed as Spanish-speaking waitresses and servers.

Middle school language arts teacher Nick Emmerling also received an Extra Miler award. Emmerling wears many hats as a teacher, a mentor, a role model and a volunteer. He gives students the skills and knowledge they need for success. Emmerling also chaperones every school dance and runs the scoreboard at every game.

Matthew Dunlap, middle school math teacher and athletic coach mentor for boys’ basketball, was also honored as an Extra Miler. Dunlap was very knowledgeable, organized and creative. He had taken a leave from coaching to further his education but came back to help when the interim coach was dismissed.

Social studies teacher Randy Unger also received an Extra Miler award. Unger teaches at both the middle school and Berkeley Springs High School. He also supervises after-school detention with a gentle manner. Unger is organized, dependable and patient. His calm and caring demeanor has soothed tense situations.

Greenwood Elementary
Greenwood Elementary part-time interventionist Shea Sirbaugh was honored as an Extra Miler at the February 21 school board meeting that was held at the school.

Sirbaugh has a strong desire to do any task put before her and has worked through computer glitches during assessments and other situations with resolve. She works and plays well with others. Kids look forward to spending time with her. Sirbaugh is also working to become a special education teacher.

Former School Transportation Department Chief Mechanic Darrin Younker received an Extra Miler award at the meeting. Younker spent 12 years at the bus garage and was also a substitute bus driver. He did an excellent job and took pride in a job well done and a well-maintained fleet.

Younker is an ASE certified mechanic and a certified bus trainer. He resigned his position on February 29. Younker was wished smooth sailing in his new job as a certified school bus inspector for the state.

Intermediate school
At the February 7 school board meeting at Warm Springs Intermediate School, fifth grade intermediate school teacher Mariah Lykins was awarded an Extra Miler honor. Lykins knows the curriculum inside and out and has heart and a deep desire to instill learning in her students. She was called a “quiet leader,” “a teacher’s teacher” and a “living list of what good teachers are.”

Intermediate school remedial specialist and Flex teacher Lorie Faith also received an Extra Miler award. She helps students achieve success in the classroom. Faith is compassionate and also gives kids a firm reminder of expectations. She is a friendly advocate and a kind negotiator for students.

Intermediate school nurse Patty Caldwell was also awarded an Extra Miler. She cares deeply for kids and wears many hats at the school as nurse, chaperone, confidante, healer and mentor. She goes above and beyond her job duties and “teaches children the ins and outs of growing up.”

The Extra Miler award is presented to individuals who consistently go beyond their job expectations, who represent the schools/school system in a positive manner and who also affect the school and community.