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May 23, 2008

Fairfield retirees honored by board

By STEPHANIE DEBOLT

BENTON, Ind. — Dedication, integrity and talent were among the traits attributed to Fairfield Community Schools’ retirees Mark Jordan and John Christner Thursday evening during the school board meeting. Superintendent Tom Tumey noted that between the pair, they totaled 72 years of service to the students and had devoted their careers to the Fairfield corporation.

“I am proud to take the time to recognize these two gentlemen,” Tumey said.

Exiting members of the staff were not the only ones recognized. Current Dean of Students Ben Tonagel was unanimously approved as the new vice principal for Fairfield Junior-Senior High School. He takes over the job after Lisa Litwiller was named principal of New Paris Elementary School.

“I’m excited and looking forward to next year,” Tonagel said.

Tonagel will begin his new position in August with a starting salary of $69,000, to be increased to $72,000 upon receipt of his administrative license. Tonagel formerly taught elementary school in Warsaw.

Multi-age classrooms

A presentation explaining multi-age classroom teaching by Millersburg Principal Christine Ralston and instructor Jeannine Suitors shared the benefits of building community within a class of students of different ages. Suitors taught a blended second and third grade class this year and four other instructors plan to join the practice in 2008-2009.

“There may be different ages, different grades, but it’s one classroom,” Ralston said, “She’s (Suitors) worked really hard building those kids together and building responsibility and independence.”

Suitors explained that the multiage experience is based on the fact that many educational concepts thread through different grade levels and may be effectively addressed in a mixed age group.

“There is a lot of overlap in ideas and standards between the grades. I saw how I could build around those things,” Suitors said.

“The overall theme, push and idea is to connect what the students are learning to something meaningful to them,” Ralston added.

Board president Jonathan Graber asked if lines between grade levels ever get blurry.

“Is there ever any confusion between what second-graders should be doing and third-graders should be doing? Graber asked.

Ralston said that many times, people have asked that same question.

“If second-graders learn some third-grade stuff, well we’re fine with that. They’ll have exposure to things they could learn if they’re exposed to it.” Ralston said.

Addressing older students who might have a good grasp of a repeated concept was another concern Graber had.

“Are there kids that might be bored?” Graber asked.

“You have that range of ability in every classroom,” Ralston said.

She added that enrichment activities for high ability students could be used in that event.

Not only will multiage education instruction quadruple at Millersburg Elementary next year, it will also have a positive impact on classroom size.

“One of the benefits is that having a five-section group will reduce the number of students to 19 to 20 per class (Figures based on current projected enrollment). That’s a big benefit from some fourth grade classes this year that had 28 students,” Ralston said.

For the multi-age program, teachers will participate in professional development during the summer months and collaborate together before the start of school.

“This plan will help us meet our mission statement at Millersburg. Because this is a good idea for us, I don’t think it is a good idea for everyone. I have the teachers interested in teaching it, I would not ask or make them do this,” Ralston said.

Board members were impressed.

“This is one of the neatest things I’ve seen since I’ve been on the board,” Brent Welty said. “That’s what I like, teachers who love their jobs.”

“Their enthusiasm is very contagious,” Tumey added. “I commend Christine and her staff for their hard work.”

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