Kathy Shemeley teaches 'for the cause'
By: Vanessa Lynn Pinheiro
Elementary school teacher Kathy Shemeley will be honored by The Andrew B. Mygatt Post #1672 of the Veterans of Foreign Wars and its Ladies Auxiliary during a testimonial dinner April 26.
"I don't do what I do for the recognition, I do it for the cause. [The military has] been a part of my upbringing and family values," said Mrs. Shemeley. "I have family members who have served, and I am married to a Vietnam War veteran who served as a combat medic, and just by saying the Pledge of Allegiance in school is just the start of the process of educating the children."
Mrs. Shemeley, a third-grade teacher at Northville Elementary School, was selected by the Department of Connecticut Veterans of Foreign Wars as its Grade K-5 Citizenship Education Teacher of the Year. She was nominated for the honor by two of her fellow Northville Elementary School teachers, Marlana Sprindis and Joan Conn.
"Kathy Shemeley exemplifies a true patriot. ... Kathy plans and executes the day with great enthusiasm and pride. It takes a huge amount of time and effort on Kathy's part and she relishes the job. We are so blessed to have her expertise and enthusiasm in our midst," reads an excerpt from the nomination letter written by Mrs. Sprindis and Mrs. Conn.
The VFW's National Citizenship Education Teacher Award Program began in 1999 to recognize classroom teachers who are outstanding in citizen education. According to VFW Web site, the VFW annually recognizes the nation's top classroom elementary, junior high and high school teachers who teach citizenship education topics regularly (teaching at least half of the school day in a classroom environment) and promote America's history, traditions and institutions effectively.
The chapter also participates in two student essay contests that support citizenship, Voice of Democracy and Patriot's Pen.
"We really respect and honor those individuals who instill these virtues, not only into themselves, but on to others as well," said Patricia Brought, community service chairmen of the Post #1672 Ladies Auxiliary.
Based on the nominees submitted, VFW's local posts will recognize one outstanding teacher in grades K-5, 6-8 and 9-12. Posts then submit the winners' names for district level judging, and winners at that level are forwarded to the department (or state) level. This is level in which Mrs. Shemeley won. After judging, each department then forwards the names of its winners to VFW national headquarters for consideration in the national awards contest, explained Mrs. Brought.
Mrs. Shemeley will also be honored at a June 14 breakfast at the Department of Connecticut VFW Convention.
Mrs. Shemley has organized Veterans Day school activities, such as displays honoring local members of the military and veterans, veterans visits and dialogues between veterans and students for the past nine years. The school is also decorated with red, white and blue panels with the names of veterans on them as a "Wall of Remembrance," which is in place to honor those serving or have served in the Armed Services.
"When the school board was deciding whether or not to have school on Veterans Day, I decided it was better to bring veterans in before Veterans Day so the children would know why they have that day off, and it would also inspire the children to participate in Veterans Day activities with full knowledge of why that day is important."
In addition to her Northville Elementary School promotion of Good Citizenship and recognition of those who actively serve and military veterans, Mrs. Shemeley has been a well-known area activist for the POW/MIA Forget-Me-Not's, for more than 20 years. Mrs. Shemeley is the president of the group and is one of only two contacts for POW/MIA in Connecticut.
"[POW/MIA Forget-Me-Not's] are dedicated to the fullest possible accounting for our prisoners and missing," Mrs. Shemeley said of the independent organization. "We try to bring closure to the families and assist them in any way we can. One way we have been supportive is by issuing a college scholarship."
Tickets for the testimonial dinner honoring Mrs. Shemeley are $20 per person and can be purchased by calling 860-354-7995 before April 21. If anyone wishes to be included in addressing remarks to Mrs. Shemeley during the program, they should contact Mrs. Brought at 203-312-9914. The event begins at noon at the Post Hall, located at 11 Avery Road.
"By recognizing people for things of this nature, you are recognizing the cause and the programs and it encourages others to follow suit," said Mrs. Shemeley. "That's what is truly important."
©New Milford TimesÊ2008