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About Keizertimes. (Salem, Or.) 1979-current | View Entire Issue (Nov. 9, 2018)
NOVEMBER 9, 2018, KEIZERTIMES, PAGE A3 KeizerCommunity KEIZERTIMES.COM Keizer teachers win Crystal Apples By DEREK WILEY Of the Keizertimes “It would take a casual observer popping into Mike Melting’s classroom about sixty seconds to fi gure out that he is all about kids,” wrote McNary principal Erik Jespersen in his letter nominating Melting for a Crystal Apple. “When visitors come to our school, it is Mike’s class that I want to show off because re- gardless of the lesson, the time of day, or the students he’s working with, there is always going to be something special going on,” Jespersen said. Melting, an automotive teacher at McNary, was one of three educators from Keizer schools to win a Crystal Apple on Thursday, Nov. 1 in a cer- emony at Salem’s Historic El- sinore Theatre. Brad Dixon, social studies and AVID teacher at Claggett Creek Middle School, and Laura Hoagland, bilingual in- structional assistant at Kennedy Elementary, were also chosen from a list of 61 nominees. After a career as a techni- cian and manager in the auto- motive industry, Melting made the transition to become a high school teacher about ten years ago. He’s been able to take the complex subject of automative technology and adapt it to suit the learning styles of each stu- dent. “Mr. Melting saw that I was eager to learn and he chal- lenged me to excel in every- thing I attempted, said Connor Goff, a McNary graduate now in his senior year of college. “I always felt he cared for my success, not just as a student but as a person. There was never a learning moment that was not fi lled with compassion and un- derstanding. Mike is the type of teacher that every student needs.” Outside of the classroom, Melting also volunteers for the McNary band, moving equip- ment and fi xing broken trailers. “He refuses to let diffi cult circumstances, bad weather, or challenging timetables dictate his effectiveness or demean- or,” McNary band director Chris Nelson wrote. “Main- taining such an attitude while going above and beyond what is required is proof-positive of an exceptional role model for students. It is also the stuff of which great colleagues are made, and I feel that each time Mike comes by the band room just to check in with me and my students.” At Claggett Creek, Dixon uses his own experiences trav- eling, teaching and learning around the globe to help stu- Brad Dixon Mike Melting dents better understand other people, cultures, communities and traditions. “I can easily say that out of my entire school career, Mr. Dixon is the teacher who has made the biggest impact in my life and has helped shape me into the person who I am to- day,” said Mikka Gribskov, an eighth grade leadership stu- dent. “Mr. Dixon is the teach- er who you look up to. He’s a person that you’d want to be like someday.” In nominating Dixon, Sheila Morales and Ashley DeLaRo- sa, library media assistant and counselor at the school, wrote “Mr. Dixon’s quiet and kind demeanor are legendary at Claggett Creek.” Dixon is known as a “kid whisperer.” “He works exceptionally well with students that struggle with behavior and academic challenges,” they wrote. Hoagland has worked at Kennedy Elementary for near- ly 30 years supporting a calm cafeteria for 430 students over four lunches, every day. She worked closely with other staff to make Kennedy the fi rst ENVoY-certifi ed cafe- teria in Oregon. Mrs. Hoagland’s cafeteria is now a model for other school staff in the district to visit and experience fi rst-hand how to create cafeteria systems, rou- tines and an in-sync supervi- sion team,” Kennedy principal Jesse Leonard said. Hoagland also runs bilingual literacy groups throughout the day. “Teachers are often disap- pointed if they don’t have her assigned to their classroom, Leonard said. Please see CRYSTAL, Page A4 Laura Hoagland NOW 2 CLINICS TO KEEP YOU ACTIVE CALL 503-391- 9112 NEW SOUTH OFFICE 1010 13th St SE, Salem 1797 Lansing Ave NE, Salem W W W . N W F A M I L Y C H I R O . N E T ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ “ This community is beautiful and the whole staff is so attentive and caring! As a family member, I always want the very best for my Mom and I know that we have found an incredible place where I know that she is happy and well-cared for. The atmosphere is engaging and respectful and it is so good to know that Mom is in such good hands. I would highly recommend this community to anyone! ” — HEIDI C. i ty t -two. t senior l i v i n g f o r t h ose who hav v e r e ached t h e age of six Qualil ty Come See the Finest in Senior Living! CALL (503) 390 -1300 1165 McGee Ct NE, Keizer, OR • www.VillageAtKeizerRidge.com
