The Michigan Association of Secondary School Principals has awarded Dr. Stephen Marsden, Kettering Assistant Principal, the 2009 MASSP Assistant Principal of the Year. Marsden was recognized at the Assistant Principals’ Fall Conference in Kalamazoo.

The Oakland County School Boards Association, Michigan Association of School Boards, named Board Treasurer, John Himmelspach, with the Distinguished Years of Service Award in honor of his 16 years of dedicated service as a member of the Waterford Board of Education. Through his role on the Board, John has become a true advocate for children and has worked diligently to ensure that all students receive the highest quality education.

Thomas Wiseman, Waterford School District Assistant Superintendent of Business Services, was named the 2007-2008 Business Administrator of the Year by Oakland County School Business Officials (OCSBO). Wiseman received this award in recognition of his professional growth, 34 dedicated years of service to the Waterford School District, and his commitment to excellence in the profession of school business management.

The Waterford School District Transportation Team competed in the Oakland County Regional School Bus Roadeo. The drivers were outstanding among the thirty one (31) drivers from eight (8) districts who participated. Barbara Bennett (8^th overall), Carrie Myre (2^nd overall), and Debbie Vernon (13^th overall) placed second in the team competition. Carrie Myre placed second overall which qualifies her for participation in the State Championship.

Adams Elementary School Teacher John Phillips received the Walter P. Chrysler Closing the Technology Gap in Education Award, sponsored by DaimlerChrysler Corporation Fund, along with partner The New Detroit Science Center. This Awards Program was created to recognize and reward Michigan public elementary, middle, and high school teachers for finding innovative and creative ways to help excite students about careers in science, math, engineering, and technology.

Waterford Kettering High School Personal Adjustment Program received the Education Excellence Award from the Michigan Association of School Boards. As a winning program, the program will receive a personalized “Eddie” statue and a cash award of $1,500 from the SET SEG School Insurance Specialists. The primary goal of the Personal Adjustment program is to help individual students understand themselves and others. Practical outcomes of the program range from development of skills in career planning to positive interpersonal relations to a viable lifestyle to effective use of recreational time. Students who participate in the program are better able to demonstrate behaviors, which indicate s/he has achieved an acceptable degree of work and social maturity. These behaviors can include the following: demonstrable social responsibility, effective communication, and an acceptable level of self-awareness and self-confidence.

The Waterford Board of Education recognized seven outstanding Waterford School District support staff as nominees for the 2008 Betty Campion Distinguished Support Service Award. All nominees recognized possess the qualities that distinguish them as exemplary employees that go above and beyond to make a positive impact in the District. However, after all nominations were reviewed by the selection committee, one nominee stood out and has been sent on to the county level. Theresa Sherrill, Counseling Secretary at Kettering High School, was named as the Waterford School District Betty Campion Award Winner for 2008. Theresa demonstrates excellence in working with students, staff, and administration and has earned an enviable reputation throughout the District.

Kathryn Stone, Director of Bands at Mason Middle School, has been awarded the American School Band Director’s Association’s prestigious “Outstanding Potential Award.” This award recognizes those young band teachers who show great potential and promise in the field of instrumental music education. Presentation of this award was made on Tuesday, February 29, 2008, at the Winter Band Concert hosted by Waterford Kettering High School. Members Scott Adkins, Director of Bands at Kettering, and Robert Ambrose of Bloomfield Hills Andover High School presented the award on behalf of the ASBDA. Katie is a third-year teacher in the Waterford School District.

The Arc of Oakland County announced four Student Support Services Department members will receive their very Distinguished Dove Award this year. The Arc of Oakland County is a non-profit United Way Agency that recognizes individuals who have made significant contributions and improvements to the quality of life of persons with cognitive impairments. The following staff received awards: Geralyn Janeczko, Secondary Special Education Supervisor: The President's Award; Vicki Widman, Early Childhood Special Education Coordinator: The Inclusion Leadership Award; Teri Dittman, Teacher of the Cognitively Impaired at Riverside Elementary: The Leonard Cercone Teacher of the Year Award; and Debi Blood will receive The Support Professional Award (posthumous) for her incredible support and dedication to students with special needs.

Waterford Kettering Principal, Josh Wenning, was recently named the 2008 Citizen of the Year by the Waterford Coalition for Youth. Wenning was nominated by a parent for his commitment to Waterford families. He was recognized for his collaborative efforts and support of students and staff on numerous initiatives.

Several staff were recently each awarded grants of $1000 from the Autism Society of Michigan. This money was awarded for their work with students who have autism and will support necessary materials that will be used for social and behavioral support skill training. The grant recipients were as follows: Rebecca Platero, Teacher at Donelson Hills Elementary, Rita Dachs, Teacher at Crary Middle School, and Leigh Sarfati, Special Education Specialist.

Shelia Lee, former teacher and head cheerleading coach at Waterford Mott High School, received the Lifetime Achievement Award from the Michigan Cheerleaders Coaches Association. The award is based on cheerleading coaches’ services to MCCA, longevity in coaching, and whose teams have excelled in game cheering and competition. Shelia has been a MCCA Conference speaker on game cheering ,is a former MCCA Executive Board Member, and was named Coach of the Year in 2002. Currently, Lee serves on the MCCA Board of Directors as public relations director. Shelia Lee lead the cheerleading program at Waterford Mott High School for 25 years.

Kettering and Pierce Orchestra Teacher Merlyn Beard was named one of three finalists for the MSBOA Orchestra Teacher of the Year in the State of Michigan. Beard was selected as the MSBOA District IV Orchestra Teacher of the Year. His orchestras at Waterford Kettering are superb, garnering consistent Division I ratings at State Festivals and performing virtually everywhere from Florida to the national ASTA Competition at Max Fisher Orchestra Hall.

Adams Elementary School Teacher, Julie Rule was named Wal-Mart Teacher of the Year. The Teacher of the Year program is a part of Wal-Mart's long-term commitment to support education throughout the United States. Winners are selected in all 50 states and Puerto Rico. She is now eligible to be considered for the state Teacher of the Year award. The State Teacher of the Year honor is given to one exceptional educator from each of the 50 states and Puerto Rico. An educational grant of $10,000 is given to each winning state teacher's school.

Brian Whiston, Waterford Board of Education President was selected as 2007 PTSA Board Member of the Year at the Michigan PTSA Conference. He serves as  President Elect on the MI PTSA Board of Officers.

John Martin, Crary Middle School teacher, was selected as a finalist in the Walter P Chrysler Closing the Technology Gap in Education awards program. This program was designed to recognize and support educators who have demonstrated unique skills in energizing student interests in the fields of math, science, engineering, and technology.

The Michigan School Business Officials (MSBO) awarded the Waterford School District the distinguished Meridian Award, acknowledging the outstanding practices in all areas of school management and education. The Waterford School District’s Video Services and Transportation Department Team were selected to receive this award in recognition of their development and promotion of the District’s School Bus Safety Training Video and the positive student outcomes associated with the training.

Carol Gesaman, Teacher at Haviland Elementary School, was selected as Waterford Foundation Teacher of the Year. Gesaman was chosen by a special committee from among seven nominees at the K-2 elementary school level. Gesaman has taught in the Waterford School District since 1990. Waterford Teacher of the Year is sponsored by the Waterford Foundation for Public Education and Suburban Ford. As Waterford Foundation Teacher of the Year, Gesaman received free use of a vehicle of her choice from Suburban Ford for one year and will be honored, along with five other nominees, at the Excellence in Education Reception. Each year the Teacher of the Year selection alternates between elementary and secondary teachers. This award is a way of affirming the value the Waterford community places on educational excellence and the critical role the classroom teacher plays in providing it.

The Waterford School District has received the Michigan Governor’s Council on Physical Fitness, Health, and Sports Exemplary Physical Education Award, Level 7, for the curriculum work the district’s staff completed during the 2005-2006 school year. The Governor's Exemplary Physical Education Award is designed to encourage and reward exemplary programs and is the fifth consecutive year the Waterford School District has been recognized for its exemplary curriculum.

Jeff Stevenson, Pierce Middle School Wrestling Coach and student teacher at Kettering High School, was named the Physical Education Major of the Year for 2006-2007 at Eastern Michigan University. This award honors one student from each major university in the Country and will be presented this month in Baltimore. The award is based on ac academic excellence, potential for future achievement in the field, as well as past involvement in sporting or coaching.

Ann Hoydic, art teacher at Adams Elementary School, has designed the Michigan Reading Association poster for the conference in 2008. Hoydic's artwork will be on promotional items, which will be all over the State in schools everywhere.

For the third consecutive year, the Waterford School District was named as one of the Best 100 Communities for Music Education in America through a survey conducted by a partnership of leading music and educational organizations and the American Music Conference (AMC), and is the only Michigan district to attain this recognition for three consecutive years. The 2007 roster includes school districts from 31 different states whose commitment to quality music education—measured across a variety of economic, curricular and programmatic criteria—has enabled them to stand out despite the many pressures on music programs across the country. Click here for additional details.

Bill Gesaman, Riverside Principal, and Theresa Bills, Pierce Middle School teacher, were recognized by the Michigan Science Teachers Association. Gesaman was named the MSTA Administrator of the Year and Bills was chosen as MSTA Middle School Teacher of the Year for 2007. They have been invited to attend the MSTA Annual Conference in March where they will be presented with the awards.

Haviland Elementary School has received the International Reading Association Exemplary Reading Program Award. This award recognizes outstanding reading and language arts programs. Four judges from the Michigan Reading Association conducted a site visit at Haviland to observe student reading and writing and teacher instruction.

Mark Merlo, Assistant Football Coach at Waterford Mott High School has been named 2006 Assistant Coach of the Year by the Michigan High School Football Coaches Association. Merlo was one of 16 varsity assistant coaches to receive the award. Merlo was hired in 2006 as defensive coordinator for Waterford Mott’s Varsity Football Team.

Haviland teacher, Rebecca Briggs, was honored at the "Walter P. Chrysler Closing the Technology Gap in Education Awards" at the Detroit Science Center. This award was designed to recognize and support educators who have demonstrated unique skills in energizing students' interest in the fields of math, science, engineering, and technology. Rebecca was chosen as one of the top ten 10 elementary educators in the State of Michigan and received $500 for her accomplishments.

Prior to 2006-2007