The “Be Golden” Award is a faculty and staff recognition program at the high school. It is given to a teacher or staff that is making a difference at Tyrone.

This award is given weekly by a faculty/staff member to another faculty/staff member. Whoever receives the trophy on Friday is responsible for awarding it to someone else the following week. The only criteria are to give it to someone who has done something to make the school a better place.

“With the Positive Behavior Interventions and Supports (PBIS) initiative in our school, we want to not only recognize students for being golden but staff members as well,” said Shannon Davis, the award program coordinator. “This is a way to personally thank people we work with every day, but don’t always have the chance to show them how much they are appreciated.”

Last week the award went to job coach Ms. Jamie Irvin.

She chose to give the award para in the career and technical education wing Ms. Teresa Swartz

Ms. Irvin’s quote:

“I nominate Teresa Swartz to receive the Golden Eagle Award. I feel that it is important to recognize her for her patience, consistency, and dedication to the staff and students at Tyrone Area High School.  Teresa is a para in the vocational wing. In addition to being Mr. Vancas’s right hand, you will find her in Mrs. Hoy’s room or performing some of the other tasks around the high school that is requested of her. She is kind, humble, and an all-around wonderful lady to know. I know that she won’t be happy with this recognition, but I wanted her to know that she is appreciated. Glad to call you a friend (and hopefully we will still be friends)!  Enjoy the Eagle, #2…. you deserve it!”

The Eagle Eye interviewed Ms.Swartz about being this week’s award winner:

Eagle Eye: Why did you go into education?

Teresa Swartz: “It started for me by working in a daycare. I enjoy working with children and when the paraprofessional position became available, I thought it would be interesting to work with older students.” 

EE: What makes Tyrone a good place to work?

TS: “I work with a great group of people. They are amazing educators and I learned a lot from them. We also have a very good time working together. Working with the students is very rewarding, to see them come into classes at the beginning of the year with limited skills and leave at the end of the year with more confidence in their abilities and talents.”

EE: What is your favorite memory at Tyrone?

TS: “When I was asked to move down to the shop area I was scared to death. I knew nothing about being in a shop situation. Mr. Vancas made it very easy for me to adapt. I really enjoy working with all the teachers and the students in the Career and Technical Education area.”