Area Civic Groups Honor Maumee Educators With Golden Apple Awards

BY KYLE BORCHERS AND NANCY GAGNET - MIRROR REPORTERS
Maumee-area civic groups honored the following four Maumee educators with Golden Apple Awards.
Jane Williams
Jane Williams has been teaching at St. Joseph Catholic school since 1979. She also worked as a substitute teacher in the Maumee City Schools and spent four years teaching in the Bowling Green school district.
Nominated by Rev. Frank A. Murd, pastor of St. Joseph church, Williams is respected for her enthusiasm and ability to encourage students in her fifth-grade class to “think outside of the box.”
“Her classroom is a place where students are free to be themselves and to learn to the best of their ability,” he said.
According to Father Murd, Williams’ passion for teaching has made a positive impact on the students.
“Her enthusiasm and excellence in education has enhanced her pupils’ self-esteem and consistently builds their problem-solving capabilities through lively and dynamic encounters with learning, particularly in the fields of science, math and health,” he said.
In addition to teaching, Williams has volunteered with the Girl Scouts, Maumee Relay for Life and the Maumee Branch Library’s children’s programming.
She has also coached basketball for the Catholic Youth Organization and is actively involved in many parish events.
An active member of several community theater groups, Williams has directed over 50 local musicals, plays and church and school productions.
She also directed Maumee’s All-America City presentation in 2006 and is chairman of the board of the Maumee Indoor Theater.
“Jane Williams is an excellent teacher – very involved in the parish and the community. She is highly respected by her peers and the parish,” Father Murd said.

Sue McEwen
For 30 years, Sue McEwen has worked as a speech pathologist in the Maumee City Schools. Before coming to the district, she spent five years working for the Lucas County education office.
Nominated by Vicki Tanner and the Henry family, McEwen has helped many students in Maumee overcome speech-related and learning issues through her sincere efforts to help children reach their full potential.
“She was always there with helpful advice, information on workshops and support,” said Tom and Jordie Henry, whose children Ian and Parker receive services from McEwen.
Jordie said when her son was first diagnosed with Asperger’s Syndrome, she approached McEwen about “social stories,” a teaching tool used for children like her son.
“Mrs. McEwen was not familiar with social stories, a new concept at the time; however, she actively sought out all of the information so she could become proficient at writing them,” she said.
“She has attended countless seminars and workshops related to autism, coming back with ideas and tips that have been invaluable,” she said.
McEwen works with students at Fairfield and Fort Miami elementary schools as well as Gateway Middle School and Maumee High School.
She also conducts weekly Brain Gym exercises – a technique to help students utilize their brainpower.
Tanner, a Maumee parent, said McEwen has become an important part of her family.
“When we were having severe behavioral problems (with our child), she even came over to our house to help us implement strategies,” Tanner said.
“Over the years she has become a good and trusted friend. She works hard for all of her students,” she said. “She may be soon be considering retirement and it would be impossible to replace her.”

Ken Walczak
Ken Walczak is a high school business teacher, assistant football coach and head wrestling coach of a Panthers team that just won a Northern Lakes League championship.
Nominated by fellow teacher Anastacia Leach and students Xavier Ramirez and Jacob Spellis for the Golden Apple Award, Walczak touches the lives of many young people and is a very popular teacher.
“Ken has taught both of my children,” Leach said. “They and all their friends continually speak fondly of Mr. Walczak and his classes. They always say, ‘Everyone loves Walczak!’
“That’s really true and it’s something I am hearing from students who are preparing their schedules for next year. Many have said they are signing up for business law because ‘Walczak teaches it!’”
Leach has known Walczak for 26 years, as he was in her class when she was student teaching at Maumee.
Leach said Walczak truly makes an impact on students and athletes. He’s a very conscientious teacher who molds children into being cooperative or helps them pursue a healthier lifestyle.
It is not uncommon for Walczak to take a student under his wing and make a difference with his or her outlook on life.
“Ken has done this for many years whenever another teacher has a concern about one of his athletes,” Leach said.
Ramirez called Walczak his mentor, along with being his teacher and coach in football and wrestling.
“Mr. Walczak has taught me to give 100 percent in whatever I am doing,” said Ramirez, a junior. “He expects nothing but the best from his students – and that is exactly what he gets.”
Ramirez said Walczak might be the most professional teacher he’s ever had and that he truly cares about what happens to his students and peers.
“He will go out of his way to congratulate you for some achievement,” Ramirez said, “and he will express his remorse if something is going on in your life.”
Ramirez also said that Walczak does a great job getting students ready for life beyond high school, stressing organization and punctuality.
“I credit Mr. Walczak for helping me turn the corner as I gear up for college,” Ramirez said.
Spellis originally thought he’d be playing basketball as a freshman, but instead ended up wrestling for Walczak.
“I thought as a freshman that I would not be part of the team,” Spellis said. “I had no wrestling skills.
“But Mr. Walczak never treated me like a varsity player nor a freshman; everyone on our team is treated the same.
“He has inspired me to wrestle next season and to become a better athlete, but not only that, he also encouraged me to be a better person and student.”

Brent Swartzmiller
Athletic director and assistant principal at Maumee High School, Brent Swartzmiller is literally everywhere and he’s drastically improved the Panthers sports scene the last two school years.
Nominated by cheerleading coach Emily Buck and Union Elementary Principal Lydia Maxfield for the Golden Apple Award, Swartzmiller was principal at Wayne Trail Elementary before entering his current post.
“I was saddened to see (Swartzmiller) leave my children’s school but relieved, to say the least, that he would bring his organization and professionalism to the high school athletics,” Buck said.
“There was a great deal of disorganization in the athletic department before (Swartzmiller) arrived. Brent has lived up to and exceeded all of my expectations of an athletic director.
“My first clue as to how detail-oriented Brent is was at the fall sports parent meeting his first season as AD in August 2006,” Buck said.
There was a PowerPoint presentation, a packet for each student with required forms and so on.
Swartzmiller has also been involved in community efforts such as booster clubs, the Athletic Hall of Fame, the Kazmaier golf outing and he was instrumental in getting the Heisman Trophy displayed at MHS.
“Brent has taken his job very seriously and has restructured the athletic department in many ways,” Maxfield said.
“When talking to community members who have student-athletes, they are always praising him and saying that he has made the program a very positive one for Maumee.
“Always with that statement comes the comment that Brent is in the position for the kids. His rapport with the students is commendable and he uses tact and professionalism dealing with parents on some tough issues.”
Buck’s first encounter with Swartzmiller was as an upset parent when he was principal of her children.
“He handled what to me was a traumatizing situation by being both thoughtful and precise and he was able to put me at ease,” Buck said.
“I left Wayne Trail that morning three years ago feeling very lucky that my children were attending a school with such an amazing principal.”
Now, Buck says, “Brent has the utmost respect of his staff due to his organization and straightforward tactics.
“He has let each of his coaches and athletes know exactly what is expected of them and left no room for doubt.”