Cathy Gilmet is named Rogers City Teacher of the Year

by Peter Jakey– Managing Editor

Two words used to describe the 2008-09 Rogers City Area Schools? teacher of the year are ?above? and ?beyond.? Cathy Gilmet, middle school teacher at St. Ignatius Catholic School, always goes beyond what is asked of her, a colleague said. For her hard work, dedication and compassion demonstrated in the classroom, Gilmet has been honored with the teacher of the year accolade from a list of impressive candidates. The official announcement was made at Monday?s Rogers City Area Schools Board of Education meeting with a press release being sent out to the media the following morning. A committee of former teachers of the year from the community and administrators from all four schools went through all the nominations October 17.

MONDAY IN her second floor classroom, on the Lake Huron side of the building, Gilmet said she was shocked but appreciative when she heard the news. ?I was really surprised, and really, really honored,? said Gilmet, who has been working at St. Ignatius for the last seven years. Gilmet had been with Tots Aboard Preschool, but when her children were older and the position became available, she decided to apply. St. Ignatius principal Amy Rabeau said Gilmet is an exceptional teacher and youth leader.

?Our school and parish are fortunate to have her as a positive Christian role model for the lives of our youth,? said Rabeau. Gilmet leads the St. Ignatius Youth Group and co-directed Vacaction Bible School for eight years. She is a board member of the school?s education commission, leads the student council, plays an active role in planning and organizing the annual Harbor Nights fundraiser, and recently volunteered to assist with running the sound board for the annual Puttin? On the Ritz fundraiser. Contributions to the community are part of the criteria, said Rogers City superintendent Dan Byrne.

?MY PHILOSOPHY of teaching is to involve the students with hands-on activities,? said Gilmet. ?I try to make everything we do interactive and not always, book, book, book, study and tests.? During the last week of the schoo

l year she takes the eighth grade students on a series of field trips; one entitled ?Your Life in a Day.?

The trip focuses on the premise that people generally begin and end (obstetrics ward to funeral homes) in the same way and in the same places, but all the choices in between are made individually. She is also credited for exposing the students to literary classics. ?She is always nice and energetic,? said one of her students, Josh Vogelheim. ?If we?re in a bad mood she will always cheers us up.? Becky Talaske enjoys the tea the class gets to drink on Fridays if nobody acts ups during the course of the week.

?Energy, enthusiasm and creativity are the ?magic? ingredients Cathy mixes into her daily lessons to inspire and motivate her students,? said fellow St. Ignatius teacher Lori Leow. ?Cathy inspires not only her students, but her colleagues as well.? One of Gilmet?s goals is to have her students leave the school well educated, well-rounded people, and of course be ready for high school. She teaches seventh and eighth grade students. Other nominees considered for teacher of the year honors included Jenna Wilk, Peg Gordon, Mike Kosiara, Chad Coolman, Barb Ellenberger, and Laura Bredow.

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