Durling Middle School teacher picked as Clearview Educator of the Year

Clearview Local Schools administrators and staff gathered May 11 for a Board of Education meeting to congratulate Denise Lesh, a Durling Middle School math teacher, who was named Educator of the Year by administrators.

Lesh will receive $500 from the district.

Durling Principal Laura Manning said the choice for this year’s winner was easy, given Lesh’s dedication to her students.

“When you think of a favorite teacher, you probably have some association with a favorite subject,” Manning said. “But that’s not necessarily the case at Durling, because most of our sixth-graders would tell you even though math may not be your favorite subject, Mrs. Lesh is definitely one of their favorite teachers.”

Lesh thanked the board for the honor.

“This last two months has taught me to appreciate little things, and I do, I appreciate all of you,” she said.

Manning said Lesh’s work sets Clearview sixthgraders up for success.

“I think more than anything she makes them know that they can do hard things, that she loves them,” Manning said.

What Lesh teaches them goes beyond her specialized subject, the principal said.

“She gives them so much more than math,” Manning said. “She gives them what they need to be successful students.”

In other news

Questions arose about the district’s five-year forecast from board member Mike Post, who noted a nearly $3 million difference in funds between the November projections and May’s.

Treasurer Mary Ann Nowak said the funds noted on five-year forecasts do not show all the funds available to the district, with only expenditures and revenue cited on the forecast.

The bus garage construction, totaling around $2 million, is not itemized on the forecast because it will be split over a two-year period, which can appear on the forecast differently since the fiscal and school year are different, Nowak said.

The forecast was approved by the board, as was a hydraulic lift for the new bus garage totaling over $27,500.

“She gives them so much more than math. She gives them what they need to be successful students.” — Durling Principal Laura Manning, speaking about teacher Denise Lesh

JORDANA JOY — THE MORNING JOURNAL Durling Middle School math teacher Denise Lesh, center, was presented the Educator of the Year award at Clearview Local Schools May 11 board meeting. Also shown are Principal Laura Manning, left, and Superintendent Jerome Davis.