SHIPPENSBURG – Catherine Myers, eighth grade teacher at Waynesboro Area Middle School has been named an “outstanding teacher” by the Superintendents’ Study Council at Shippensburg University. Myers was singled out in her letter of nomination as “one of the, if not the singular, best educators the Waynesboro Area School District has to offer.”
She was honored at a luncheon on Nov. 13 at Shippensburg University. Below, in part, is a letter her principal, Eric DeAngelis, wrote to support her nomination:
“Education is one of the most important public services offered in society, a career field dedicated to excellence, service and both the enrichment and betterment of our whole society through its posterity – our most precious resource. In this career field, I have had the opportunity to meet and work alongside some of the most intelligent, dedicated and selfless individuals I have ever met.
“The number of educators I know and have deep respect for is not a small one, and I count our community very fortunate for this fact; despite this, there is one educator who rises head and shoulders above the stiff competition.
“She embodies the core qualities, characteristics and dedication of an exceptional educator. What she has done for the profession, community, school and her students and families is nothing short of remarkable. I count myself deeply fortunate to be able to work with and learn from such an outstanding individual. I am extremely proud to recommend Mrs. Catherine Myers for Shippensburg University’s Outstanding Teacher Award.
“Catherine is a dedicated teacher, community member and leader in the field. She embodies the highest standards of professionalism and work ethic. Our community’s students, families and all stakeholders benefit greatly from her contributions and diligence as a professional educator. In addition to these more local beneficiaries of Catherine’s hard work and dedication, the entire professional community has grown through her work and labors.”
Before coming to Waynesboro, Myers was a teacher at VisionQuest for four years working with extremely disadvantaged, adjudicated youth.
Myers graduated from Shippensburg with a B.S. in education earth science. She then earned a Master’s Degree in Education from Shippensburg in 2009 in special education and has taken several post-grad classes in technology differentiation. She is certified in Pennsylvania to teach general science, earth and space science and environmental education.
She also is ISTE (International Society for Technology in Education) certified, Green Stem certified, an Advancing Science Member, and a Project Lead the Way member for the past four years, and is a Delta Alpha Pi member. Additionally, Myers has taken a leadership role in participating in the district’s implementation of new Pennsylvania educational learning standards.
She has mentored six science teachers and advised twp student teachers over the years.
In the community outside the classroom, Myers actively contributes to the GLOBE (Global Learning and Observation to Benefit the Environment) program. She also is a volunteer as a counselor for the Whitetail Deer and Turkey Wildlife Leadership Academy camps over the summer months. She also serves on the board of directors for the Institute. She has been the treasurer, judge and logistics coordinator for the Franklin County Science Council for the past 18 years, as well as the Capital Area Science and Engineering Fair coordinator for Franklin County.
In addition to these services, Myers has served as an Envirothon advisor for the past 15 years, mentors Franklin County students for the Capital Area Science and Engineering Fair, as well as mentors both Elementary and Middle School girls enrolled in the Go-Girls-Go mentoring/running program. She also has been awarded several grants, three from the Waynesboro Area Business, Education and Community Foundation and one from Summit Health for outdoor classrooms.
She serves several leadership roles at a more local school level. She has been a Washington Area Educators Association union representative for the middle school for the past six years and is a current Team Leader in the building. Myers helps the administration, both at the building and district levels, coordinate events and student field trips. She also administered and facilitated the Cumberland County Relay for Life for the past 15 years. Currently, and for the past 10 years, she worked with local businesses and the Appalachian Trail Conservancy to create the Greater Waynesboro Appalachian Trail Community, raising money, organizing vendors, and all other administrative logistics. Myers also runs the children’s activities at the annual Trail Festival in Red Run Park.
DeAngelis noted, “As Catherine’s degree in special education would indicate, she has a strong passion for meeting the needs of diverse learners”
She wrestled with and overcame dyslexia and had an Individualized Educational Program herself as a student, DeAngelis wrote, so she has a vast pool of personal experience and knowledge in working with this population. Catherine is one of the primary Franklin Virtual Academy instructors, working virtually and in person with students whose traditional schooling was simply not working.
