GUILDERLAND — Three teachers, two secretaries, and a principal were recognized this year by the school board for what Lin Severance called their “outstanding contributions to the Guilderland Central School District.”

Severance, the district’s assistant superintendent for human resources, hosted a ceremony this month for the awardees, following a tradition that, over 37 years, has honored 473 district employees.

“I love this event…because peers recognize peers,” said Superintendent Marie Wiles. The awardees were nominated by their colleagues and selected by a committee chaired by Severance made up of Westmere Elementary School Principal Beth Bini, Instructional Administrator for Art Sheila Elario, Director of Physical Plant Management Cliff Nooney, teaching assistant Lori Tapper, speech-language therapist Christine Van Oort, and secretary Dawn Wier.

“You work with your peers day in and day out,” said Wiles. “They see you on your good days. They see you on your so-so days. They even see you on your bad days.”

Elizabeth Gingrich

A second-grade teacher at Westmere Elementary who has worked at Guilderland for more than 20 years, Elizabeth Gingrich “is a teacher that truly does go above and beyond in three different ways,” said Bini. Gingrich enhances curriculum, develops social and emotional balance in her students, and serves as a leader at Westmere, her principal said.

“She finds innovative ways” to support her students, Bini said, tailoring her teaching to fit individual needs.

Gingrich helped start a building-wide program to recycle juice pouches. Her students collect, wash, and ship them to a group that helps meet basic needs in other countries.

“She teaches her students how the smallest of acts can have the greatest payoff,” concluded Bini.

April Kearns

A kindergarten teacher at Pine Bush Elementary School who began her career with the district more than a dozen years ago, April Kearns “possesses a calming voice and a calming demeanor,” said Christopher Sanita, the school’s principal.

“Her students want to please her because they will be rewarded with kind words,” he said. She follows current and best instructional practices and makes each child “feel special and successful,” he said.

Kearns often helps at school events and reinvented the Pine Bush Spirit Games where children and staff have fun, enjoying exercise and the outdoors.

She helps with scheduling and is known for her “great flexibility” and “positive energy,” said Sanita.

Joan McGrath

A business teacher at Guilderland High School for eight years, Joan McGrath “prepares kids for more than just business,” said Principal Tom Lutsic. “She smiles at the word ‘challenge,’” he said.

McGrath has created popular new classes and a new investment club, and she advises the school’s mock trial team.

She trained students to help at a central hall desk by creating the acronym GLARPS, which stands for greet, listen, agreement, reassure, problem-solve, and satisfaction. The principal said students would tell him, “Mr. Lutsic, I’m using my GLARPS.”

“Her students always come first,” said Lutsic, describing McGrath as “a true collegial team player.”

Lisa Peck

As secretary for several high school departments — World Languages and Cultures, English as a Second Language, and Social work — Lisa Peck “always smiles,” said Marcia Ranieri who heads World Languages and Cultures. “She’s always there to pick everyone up,” Ranieri went on, describing Peck as compassionate, warm, and dedicated.

An administrative assistant for over 10 years and co-president of the Guilderland Office Workers’ Association, Peck is also the assistant coach for the varsity girls’ softball team and volunteers with the school’s Adopt A Family program.

Ranieri described Peck as “my cheerleader” and as someone who “listens to students share their tales of woe.” Telling herself not to cry, Ranieri called Peck her friend, praising her “open mind, listening ear, and warm heart.” “She is the glue that holds our departments together,” said Ranieri.

Christopher Sanita

Currently the principal of Pine Bush Elementary School, Christopher Sanita has also served Guilderland as a teaching assistant, special-education teacher, math teacher, and middle-school house principal. Wiles read excerpts about Sanita from his colleagues, describing him as “a fabulous leader,” and saying he “consistently goes above and beyond” and “he knows each student personally, not just by name but who they are as people.”

Sanita recognizes good behavior in the cafeteria with Silver Spoon awards, and he’ll dye his hair when the school reaches fundraising goals. He’ll play drums or air guitar and dance and sing to build school sprit.

Sanita lunches with fourth-graders and, Wiles reported, “He understands each individual is part of the fabric.”

Dawn Wier

Guilderland High School Assistant Principal Lisa Patierne described Dawn Wier as “my secretary and friend for about 11 years.” She said Wier, who is both “kind and caring” and “a consummate professional,” is “an inspiration to many” — even helping a homeless family find a place to live.

 Wier “has a kind word for anyone who walks into the office” and gets students “to talk through what is bothering them,” said Patierne.

When Wier was diagnosed with breast cancer several years ago, Patierne said, she “never complained” and beat this terrible disease, becoming a beacon for others as she could talk to them about how she got through it. “She was meant to guide and comfort others,” said Patierne.

Parting thoughts

After Wiles and School Board President Barbara Fraterrigo finished giving hugs, handshakes, and plaques to the honorees, Fraterrigo told the crowd it was “a remarkable, remarkable night for a lot of remarkable people.”

Severance said it is “a tradition that makes us all feel good.”

She also said that an application form is available on the district’s website — guilderlandschools.org — for next year’s nominees.

“You will have the entire year,” said Severance.