By: Melody Ann Wallace
Winter is typically the season for demonstrating generosity, giving gifts, and serving others. This holiday season, several area businesses, predominantly those in Wesleyan Park Plaza, came together in an effort to recognize some of our community’s most dedicated individuals. When the managers of these businesses were trying to decide who they wanted to bless this year, one of the first thoughts that came to mind was, “Do teachers really get rewarded outside of the classroom?” They all agreed that teachers do so much good in the community that there was a need for them to be recognized.
It was in that moment that the idea was created to establish the first annual Distinguished Teacher award. The Park Plaza businesses overwhelmingly felt that “teachers are so focused on everyone else, they may not take time for themselves.” This feeling led to the creation of a very generous gift basket, valued at over $1,400. Filled with gift certificates and lavish items from jewelry, beauty, and clothing to food, art, and fitness, these gifts were selected to help the lucky winner feel loved and appreciated, from the inside out. With the hopes that this may become an annual contest, the businesses advertised on social media and sent emails to city and county schools in order to spread the word. Unsure what to expect from this first effort, the contest coordinators were pleasantly overwhelmed with close to 180 entries. The hardest part, they said, was trying to narrow them down. They received nominations for male and female educators, with some entries from former students, who were so inspired by the teachers in their lives that they became educators themselves. There were also entries submitted from administrators, co-workers, sons, daughters, husbands and wives, all in an effort to recognize a teacher that had impacted their lives. After several shed tears, and a lot of heartfelt deliberation, the entries were eventually narrowed down to twenty, then seven, and then finally two. Although the original intent of the contest was to choose one winner, the final two were deemed such deserving candidates, that a grand prize winner and runner-up were established. The determining factor in this case was that the grand prize winner received two separate nominations.
The grand prize winner, as described in the entry submitted by her husband Josh, “is a tremendous woman of faith” and “one of the most selfless, compassionate, giving people I know.” Laura Murphy has been teaching eighth grade language arts and coaching the Daviess County Middle School Pantherettes Dance Team for the last six years. Her husband says that she is someone that “sees the good in everybody” and is “drawn to kids that others may count out as a lost cause.” Mrs. Murphy not only pours her heart into her teaching, but servers as a sponsor for several other extra-curricular activities as well. As written in her nomination, “Laura is the type of teacher every student wishes they could have, with her never-ending supply of energy and enthusiasm, as well as her desire to make every student feel that they are valuable and worthy of success.” Mrs. Murphy’s plate remains full outside of the classroom as well. This mother of two young children under the age of six also serves in leadership positions in her church nursery and youth group, is currently completing her Rank I certification, as well as, training for her second half-marathon. Laura is also writing a personal memoir in hopes of inspiring others with her story. According to her husband’s words and the results of the submissions, it appears as if she already has, “With a plate as full as hers, I just wanted to inspire her the way she constantly inspires me…Most of all, I want to see her get the recognition that she deserves for doing a job that she loves to do.”
The runner-up was described by her daughter as “one of the hardest working people I know,” that, “after 25 years, still has the same enthusiasm as she did with her first day of school.” When Kim Montgomery wrote in about her mother Janie, a twenty-five year veteran teacher at Owensboro Middle School 5/6 Center, the words truly flowed from the heart. Her mother, who Kim feels “was born to be an educator,” is the type of educator that sees beyond herself in order to do what is in the best interest of her students. Janie has overcome the loss of her husband, and, most recently, a heart attack, yet, “her spirit never waivers for her job.” Over her teaching career Mrs. Montgomery has always put her students’ needs first, by going as far as meeting parents in locations that were convenient for them, in order to discuss how to best help their children. Even if it involved meeting at homeless shelters and hotels, Janie made arrangements in order to establish a relationship with these parents and help her students to be successful. Janie has also gone above and beyond the call of duty in ensuring that her students had the best care and home life possible, even if it meant making a phone call to a family member to arrange for foster care. In this way, Janie found foster care for three young girls, with one receiving a permanent home. Kim feels that it was her mother’s “passion for making a difference that influenced my sister to become an educator” as well. Janie Montgomery is without a doubt, in her daughter Kim’s words, “an inspiration and nothing short of amazing.”
On Monday, December 15th, with family and co-workers in attendance, both teachers were surprised at their schools with an assortment of gifts from the participating businesses, as well as a beautiful printed certificate acknowledging their achievement. The ladies were overwhelmed with the outpouring of appreciation that they each received. After having the opportunity to meet and reward these amazing educators, the Wesleyan Park Plaza businesses look forward to joining together again next year to show their appreciation for the teachers that touch our community.
The following businesses are responsible for contributing towards the generous gifts that the Distinguished Teachers received:
• Pure Barre
• Lance & Company Jewelers
• Oasis Tanning Salon
• Excursions
• Face Forward
• Legends
• Bakers Rack
• Studio Slant
• Mirko
• The Earle
• Welborn’s Floral Company