O-E High School Educator Honored

The University of Pittsburgh at Bradford has named Gayle Weaver, a music teacher at Otto-Eldred High School in Duke Center, this year’s Distinguished Secondary Teacher.

Weaver was presented with the award during Pitt-Bradford’s annual Honors Convocation.

The award is presented annually to a teacher who is willing to work with and challenge students both inside and outside of the traditional classroom. Members of the university’s senior class nominated candidates.

Weaver was nominated by Jennifer Snyder, a 2009 graduate in social studies education 7-12 from Rixford.

“Mrs. Weaver taught me what it meant to be disciplined,” Snyder wrote in her nomination. “She has influenced my thoughts of what a teacher should be.

“I remember going to her room during a study hall or other free time. My friends and I would complain about the troubles of our teenage lives. She always encouraged us to keep going, get through it and then you can say that you finished whatever it was that was so difficult.”

Dr. Donna Armstrong, assistant professor of education, said, “Teaching is one of the most rewarding, but also most challenging, careers one can choose. It is always so rewarding to see the teacher realize, through receipt of this award, that he or she has made a difference in the lives of students. I just wish there was a way to let all teachers know how much they are appreciated and what a difference they all make.”

Pictured, from left, Dr. Donna Armstrong, director of teacher education at the University of Pittsburgh at Bradford; Gayle Weaver, a music teacher at Otto-Eldred High School and this year’s recipient of the Distinguished Secondary Teacher Award; and Jennifer Snyder, a 2009 Pitt-Bradford graduate who nominated Weaver for the honor.
(Photo courtesy of Pitt-Bradford)