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Teachers healers
March 21, 2020
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HURON DAILY TRIBUNE
SATURDAY, MARCH 21, 2020
Dr. Long Nguyen strives for platform to best display talents
Dr. Long Nguyen outside of his office at Scheurer Hospital. Nguyen immigrated to America with his mother from Vietnam in 1993. (Robert Creenan/Huron Daily Tribune)
Immigrated from Vietnam in 1993, became naturalized in 2006 BY ROBERT CREENAN robert.creenan@hearst.com PIGEON — When your mother tries to provide the best life for you that she can, it cannot hurt to take a few of her suggestions along the way. Dr. Long Nguyen, a family practitioner at Scheurer Family Medical Center in Pigeon since this past August has one such story — living in the United States for close to 30 years, having immigrated to this country from Vietnam with his family in 1993. Nguyen arrived in the states when he was 5 years old with his mother, grandfather, and grandmother through Los Angeles International airport on Oct. 1, 1993. His biological father, an official with the Vietnamese Communist Government, was not allowed to leave the county. “My mom felt, ‘I don’t want that for my child,’” Nguyen said, talking about how the government tells its citizens what to do and what to be. “There’s no room for growth or advancement.” Nguyen’s family settled on 14 acres of land near Oceanside, California, where his mother was able
to grow and farm exotic Asian fruits and vegetables. While growing up in Southern California, Nguyen pursued many different activities, like painting, math, playing football, playing lacrosse, track and field, and martial arts. He thought he would be able to do all of those when he got older, with his mother also jokingly saying that she wanted him to become a doctor. When going to college at Chapman University in Orange County, he participated on the school’s Division III football team as a defensive back and on the kickoff return team. That, along with being a smart student, allowed Nguyen to be part of the scholar athlete hall of fame. “I enjoyed the kickoff return team the most,” Nguyen said. “That was the only time I was guaranteed to hit somebody.” It was when Nguyen was doing post-graduate work that he finally fulfilled his mother’s wishes. While studying loons on a lake in Wisconsin, a storm rolled in and nearly sunk the canoe he was in. See NGUYEN, inside
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Sherry Howard-Breault sits in her classroom at Bad Axe Elementary. Howard-Breault has been with Bad Axe Elementary for the past 16 years. (Robert Creenan/Huron Daily Tribune)
Howard-Breault stresses reading skills in first-grade classroom Has been with Bad Axe Elementary School for 16 years
ard-Berault teaches involves addition, subtraction, times tables, graphing, and shapes. Howard-Breault says it is very BY ROBERT CREENAN rewarding to watch children learn robert.creenan@hearst.com over the course of the school year, as they come into the year having gone BAD AXE — If anyone were to ask a through kindergarten and they come teacher why they got into teaching in out reading books. They also actively the first place, the answer given usually want to be at school, which is a big part centers around wanting to make a difof why she likes working with them. ference for the children. “They’re sponges at this age and they Sherry Howard-Breault is one such learn so much.” Howard-Breault said. teacher. She is one of three first-grade “There is so much learning that goes on teachers at Bad Axe Elementary in first grade and I think that’s why I School, having spent her entire 16-year like it best.” teaching career there, with 14 years in Whatever challenges Howard-Bethe first grade, one year in third grade, rault faces from being a teacher come and one year in kinfrom her students’ dergarten. behavior, trying to Howard-Breault keep them on task and was raised in Huron involved in their own County and went learning. to school at Laker, “They’re very diswhere while she had a tracted at this age and lot of great teachers. it’s always a struggle The early elementary in balancing that school teachers she behavior as it’s taking had were the ones that Sherry Howard-Breault away from learning stuck out the most in time,” Howard-Berault Bad Axe teacher her mind, mainly her said. first- and second-grade teachers. Year after year, Howard-Breault “Maybe that’s because I like to does not deviate much from what she teach early elementary as well,” teaches, as the longer she teaches Howard-Breault said. “That’s when I something, the better she is at it, decided, ‘Well, that’s what I want to though some changes are made from do.’” time to time. More than who taught her, HowIn her 16 years, Howard-Breault has ard-Berault’s reasoning for wanting to seen many changes to her teaching be a teacher is the same as any teacher environment, mostly in how the you will ask. atmosphere her students learn in now “It’s to help children,” she said. “To includes more technology. She has a see the benefits of helping children smart board in her classroom, and Bad learn and being a part of their lives.” Axe Elementary has Chromebooks for The main subjects that Howthe students to use. ard-Breault teaches in her classroom “I don’t typically use them a lot in are reading and math, with social my classroom,” Howard-Breault said. studies, science and writing taught a “Limited screen time is ideal for kids few times a week as well. this age. I feel like there’s a bigger bang When teaching reading, Howfor my buck if I’m reading and talking ard-Breault spends a lot of time on to them instead of having them in front every aspect of it, including learning of a computer for a long time.” pre-reading techniques like phonics Howard-Breault has had plenty of and how to manipulate sounds. That students say that she is their favorite leads into reading various stories, teacher, but she feels that every kinderreading comprehension and reading garten and first-grade teacher gets that stories aloud. response as they are with the students Howard-Breault’s students, of which for seven hours every day. there are 19 in her class this year, are “They say that I’m their favorite, allowed to take books home and have which I’m sure I will be until next extra reading time for books they enjoy. year’s teacher will be their favorite,” The first-grade-level math that How- Howard-Breault said.
“There is so much learning that goes on in first grade and I think that’s why I like it best.”
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HURON DAILY TRIBUNE
SATURDAY, MARCH 21, 2020
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Nature and Nurture: Teacher combines education with outdoors North Huron’s Emily Polega provides well-rounded lessons for students
it right at dusk when it was getting dark. Things when your eyes would play tricks on you because it’s that time of night when you can’t see well, so we’d do things like that and we built a campfire always.” BY ERIC RUTTER eric.rutter@hearstnp.com Polega graduated from Bad Axe High School and knew KINDE — During a summer science was her favorite subject vocational opportunity in at the time. After using science between semesters at Michigan on a daily basis working at State, now-North Huron Sleeper State Park, Polega science teacher Emily Polega locked in her future career path found her love for the natural as an educator. world in the trails of Sleeper After graduating from MSU State Park. with a major in biology and Working as an outdoor a minor in chemistry, Polega educator through the Michigan moved to metro Detroit to State Parks, Polega taught kids teach science at Warren Woods about the diverse ecosystem Tower High School while also of the Thumb and shared her pursuing a master’s degree in passion for the outdoors in the educational leadership. This led process. to a one-year stint in Caseville “After that summer, I before Polega eventually settled changed my major to education, into a role teaching at North so that was what started me on Huron, where she has been for the (education) path,” Polega five years now. said. “I found that I liked “Throughout my teaching planning activities and working career, I’ve taught the physical with kids, so I just knew that sciences more than life was something I liked doing.” sciences,” Polega said. “I always These are elements that try to do as many hands-on pushed Polega to pursue a type things to make conneccareer in teaching. tions to the world around us.” At Sleeper State Park, Polega Along that same vein, Polega particularly enjoyed a night delivered astronomy lessons to hike that would give her and the her class last semester, and she kids an opportunity to interact had wanted to visit the planeup close and personally with tarium to provide an extra layer nature. This trip soon became a of knowledge for her students. park-favorite. “I try to take them to “That was always really cool different places, even in our because we would go out and community, that they can enjoy howl at the coyotes, and they anytime,” Polega said. “You can would respond,” Polega said. go out to the nature center or “You could hear them howling the state parks. We have kind of back. We did some other cool a wealth of biodiversity around little activities because we did us with our lakes and every-
NGUYEN Continued from 2A “I had a God moment,” Nguyen said. “I felt I should do something worthwhile before I die rather than goof around on this lake doing post-graduate research.” Nguyen thought of all the things he wanted to be when he was younger, a teacher, a coach, a professor, a martial arts instructor. Out of all those things, Nguyen decided to listen to his mother and become a doctor. “I also had this Boy Scout mentality from when I was a kid,” Nguyen said. “They tell you to do good for your community, for God, and for your neighbors around you. That always stuck with me. I felt, ‘What would be the best platform for that?’ Teaching would be a great opportunity to help youths and shape their futures. I thought it would be better using what I had, my knowledge, and decided to pursue medicine.” While Nguyen was
at medical school, he became friends with the girl who would later become his wife, who was a Caro native. They dated long distance while he was at medical school in California and she went to school to be a physician’s assistant. The two later married while still in school. After Nguyen finished school, he was turned down for many different residency programs until a friend told him about a program in Monroe, halfway between Detroit and Toledo. It was also during his residency he and his wife had two children, a son and daughter. “In the last year of your residency, you’re supposed to be looking for a job,” Nguyen said. “I based what to look for on my values, God, my family, my friends, and my vocation.” After talking things over with his wife, they decided to come to the Thumb, since her family and close friends are still in Caro. “I can be a doctor anywhere,” Nguyen said. Nguyen looked at McLaren and Hills and
Emily Polega works on a chemistry experiment with her class at North Huron. (Eric Rutter/Huron Daily Tribune) thing.” that I can teach them to be able Given the ecological profile to see things in the news and of the Thumb, students at read things online and make North Huron have access to a good decisions about whether it wide array of environmental is reliable information.” features. With that intention as a But while not every student pinnacle focus of Polega’s will grow up to teach science teaching, much of her instrucor work at a state park, Polega tion comes in the form of strives to provide her students real-life advice that can help with the tools necessary to her students both inside and navigate through life, whether outside of the classroom. that is in the forest or out in “I think that relationcorporate America. ships with your students are “Academic things are important and teaching them important,” Polega said. how to treat others with respect “Teaching them science, trying and get along with people, even to teach them how to make if it’s people they don’t necesgood decisions as a consumer. sarily like very much,” Polega Even if they don’t use science in said. their everyday life, I just hope “Sometimes just being a
Dales, while Scheurer was not on the forefront on his mind. His fatherin-law, a physician’s assistant at Scheurer, lead him to want to apply with the hospital. After he got to speak with Scheurer’s CEO, Nguyen realized there was a difference in the leadership there compared to all the other places he interviewed at, making it a simple choice for him. Nguyen works in family and primary care and has been given the opportunity to oversee Scheurer’s upcoming Bad Axe location and the Bad Axe Meijer store’s Fast Care, which will both open before Memorial Day. He oversees four Scheurer employees and sees anywhere been five and 16 patients per day. “I try my best to help out other providers, but not try to take patients away from others,” Nguyen said. Nguyen’s mother still lives in the same house in California he grew up in, still growing vegetables since she always wanted to be a farmer. She always appreciated medicine, but never had a
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platform to properly say what she wanted to. In taking advantage of this opportunity, Nguyen hopes to make his mother and God proud. “I look forward to
good role model, I try to do that. Every now and then, I try to give them Ms. Polega’s life lessons. I actually call them that.” “I am not sure if they really listen to me or not,” Polega joked. “I hope that I teach them something that they can use to be successful in their lives no matter what they decide to do.” And while Polega is immensely passionate about her work with the North Huron students, she is equally energetic about maintaining her fitness level as well. “I am a runner, so I run for fun,” Polega said. “I’m one of those crazy people.” Though Polega chose the word crazy, spontaneous would certainly be a fitting description for the North Huron educator. Several years ago, Polega and her friend decided to run the Detroit Marathon after only training by running one 5K race prior. “My friend was like, ‘I think we should run a marathon, but I don’t know if we can do it,’” she said. “Then I was like, ‘Oh, we’re going to do it,’ and the rest is history.” Since that time, Polega also participated in a 12-person, 200-mile relay race from Chicago to Madison, Wisconsin and also ran a half marathon in October of last year. These races keep Polega focused on the importance of seeing a task through to completion, a lesson that applies both in the athletic and educational arena.
meeting people and look forward to serve the community of Bad Axe,” Nguyen said. “It’s so important for people to know who I am, what I am, and for me to know
who they are. I want to realize the gifts that have been given to me and to help people on the platform that I’ve been given.”
We would like to give a big THANK YOU to the teachers and staff at Ascent High School Ascent High School gives students a second chance. Many students do not fit into the cookie cutter mold that is always expected. Ascent gives us the perfect learning environment that we need to succeed. The staff at Ascent makes it the safe haven that we need. We wanted to specifically thank them. Mr. Weitenberner is a big help here at Ascent. Not only does he help with grading and going through our online classes but he also makes sure our bus rides to and from school are here when we need them. When you’re having a bad day he can definitely make you laugh. He might have his bad days but he does truly care about the kids at our school. Mrs. Stirrett is an amazing asset to our school . Not only is she our secretary but she also helps with making sure we get lunch and breakfast in the morning. She also helps with reminding us to sign up for lunch or keep the halls clean. She is very helpful to all of us here and she always has a smile on her face. Mr. Durr is the math and science guy around here. He makes class enjoyable and if you don’t understand something all you have to do is ask and he’s right there to help you. He is always making jokes and keeps us laughing. Thank you for truly caring for us and also being a great gym teacher. Mr. Clark is a very hardworking and fun principal. He treats us all like his family and is great to talk to if you have a problem. He Makes sure we are all where we need to be. He understands that people make mistakes and that second chances happen. This school would be nothing without you. Ascent may be considered an alternative education school, but for the students that go here it’s a place of learning that beats to the rhythm of our drums. Our school also understands that we need students and teachers to
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HURON DAILY TRIBUNE
SATURDAY, MARCH 21, 2020
A little more than wound care Lifelong dream has transformed itself into a reality of saving lives and limbs
BY SARA EISINGER sara.eisinger@hearstnp.com HURON COUNTY — McLaren Thumb Region’s Clinical Director for Comprehensive Wound and Hyperbaric Center Angie Weidman spends her days doing what she loves — treating and healing all those who walk through the doors. Weidman oversees clinical operations while conducting business management and delivering hands on care. “I was the kid in kindergarten who said she wanted to be a
nurse and that never changed,” Weidman said. The RN of 18 years was born with congenital heart failure. Out of the entire hospital experience, it was the nursing staff she remembers the most. “The nurses always took care of me,” she recalled. Weidman knew that one day she would reciprocate that level of care, a path she never once strayed from. The passionate student graduated from Saginaw Valley State University in 2002 from the Bachelor of Science in Nursing program, before going on to work at the Huron County Medical Care Facility. She remembered learning about necrotizing fasciitis, more commonly known as flesh-eating bacteria. The infection is caused by bacteria
and destroys the skin, fat, and tissue that layers the muscles. Weidman shared a story of a father in his early 30s, who required serious wound care at the risk of losing his arm. Through antibiotics, wound care, and plastic surgery, the young man was able to keep his limb. Angie “That is what Weidman steered me into this,” the nurse said. “I love every minute. No day is ever the same and each day there is a new challenge.” Weidman has functioned as a wound care nurse for 15 years and never once looked back. The vast majority of the clinic’s patients are diabetic or have circulatory issues in which
they develop sores. However, people come in with all sorts of wound-related needs. She and her colleagues work with vascular and infectious diseases to avoid amputation. “We take care of the same patients for anywhere from four weeks to eight months,” Weidman said. In fact, that is one of her favorite aspects of the position. The clinical director expressed how much she appreciates the opportunity to build relationships with her patients and their families. She said some of her patients never wish to leave but, eventually, they do. “The advantage of what I do is getting to see patients who come in facing amputation walk out with everything intact,” Weidman said. “We are in the business of saving limbs
and lives.” Like every job, this one comes with its stressors. According to the Weidman, this mostly comes in the form of insurance companies and working within defined constraints. That doesn’t stop the clinic from doing what it does best. It received the Center of Excellence Award for excellence in healing in 2017 for achieving high patient satisfaction and maintaining outstanding clinical performance. “We have a high patient satisfaction rate of 98%,” Weidman said. The director praised her team for their compassionate and all the great work they do. She said she appreciates the wonderful support of McLaren Thumb Region.
Third-generation USA teacher enjoys working with kids BY MARY DRIER For the Tribune
did before her. “My grandmother, Alison Brown, was a SEBEWAING — Lori teacher,” Kemp said. “She Kemp always knew what taught at a lot of country her career path would be schools in Tuscola County when she was growing up. and she also taught at “I always wanted to be a the Evergreen School. teacher,” said Kemp, who My mother, Judy Brown, has been an was a teacher as well elementary as several other family teacher at members.” the UnionMother and daughter ville-Seclosely followed the same bewaing path. Area School “My mother taught District for at Laker School and Lori the last 10 she taught at Cass City Kemp years. “I’ve Schools as well,” Kemp always enjoyed working said. with and helping kids.” Before taking a She comes from a long position with USA, line of teachers. She is the Kemp taught at Cass City third generation of her Schools as well. family to be a teacher, and “I was at Cass City she has followed nearly for eight years teaching the same path her family elementary,” she said. “I
Lori Kemp is a first-grade teacher in the Unionville-Sebewaing Area School District. Besides teaching first grade, she has taught second- and third-grade students because at that age they are excited about learning. (Provided Photo) enjoyed it there. I wasn’t looking to leave Cass City, but an opening came up at USA. I live in Sebewaing and my
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kids go to school here. Switching to work here was more convenient, especially as my kids got older and got into activities.” For her undergraduate degree, she went to Hope College in Holland, Michigan, and she got her master’s degree at Marygrove College in Detroit. “I am passionate about helping kids learn and make new discoveries, and fun memories,” she said. That is why her main focus has always been elementary education. She has taught first-, second- and third-grade students. Currently, she
is teaching first-grade students at USA. “I chose the elementary school level because I wanted to work with kids when they were first learning and excited about it,” Kemp said. “I love seeing their excitement, and I want kids to love coming to school. It’s fun to watch them get excited when they master learning something. “I love it because every day is different in helping them reach goals, academically, emotionally, and socially,” she said. Besides just doing structured in-classroom learning, Kemp coordinates other programs to keep her students
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engaged. She heads up the school district’s annual salute to veterans. “It is our pleasure to do the veteran assembly each year to educate our students and to honor our veterans,” she said. Kemp and fellow teacher Stacy Queback coordinate the garden project at the elementary school, which has grown bigger each year. Her first-grade students plant a vegetable garden in the spring. Over the summer the students and their parents help water, weed and tend the garden. By the time the vegetables are ready to harvest in the fall, there is a new crop of first-grade students to do that. “They take the produce and process into salsa, which is shared with second-grade students who had planted the garden the year before as first graders,” Kemp explained. “It is fun to watch how excited they are about doing that.” “I love my job working with the kids and a great group of co-workers,” she said. She and her husband, John, have four daughters. Kemp pointed out her name sometimes causes confusion. Her motherin-law, who has the same name, serves on the district’s school board.
“I love seeing their excitement, and I want kids to love coming to school. It’s fun to watch them get excited when they master ... something.” Lori Kemp USA teacher
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HURON DAILY TRIBUNE
SATURDAY, MARCH 21, 2020
5
Ubly educator inspiring young minds Cheryl Guigar reflects on 21 years of teaching BY PAIGE WITHEY For the Tribune UBLY — Great teachers leave a lasting impression on the students who pass through their classrooms. Small town educators are blessed with the opportunity to watch many of their elementary students blossom into graduating men and women. Cheryl Guigar has been inspiring young students in Ubly, where she teaches the third grade, for over two decades. Growing up in Harbor Beach, it was her own first-grade teacher who inspired Guigar to pursue a career in teaching. After 21 years, Guigar is able to reminisce on her experiences, appreciate small town teaching, and reflect on how teaching has changed over the years. “It’s definitely not just a 9-5 job, I know a lot of teachers who work really hard year-round,” Guigar said. “We go home at the end of the day, but it’s not just our own families that we are thinking about. We are with these kids every day. They become a part of our family too.” While teaching at any grade level has its highs and lows, some might say teaching elementary students comes with its own unique set of challenges. Elementary students generally require more emotional support than high school students. While the educational curriculum keeps expanding, elementary students are also still learning basic skills like controlling their feelings and using their manners.
“The jump from second to third grade is a big step for these kids,” Guigar explained. “They’re a little more independent and more is expected of them on an academic level — specifically reading.” With the implementation of Michigan’s new third-grade reading law, entitled Read by Grade Three, the reading requirements for elementary students to advance to the next grade level are higher. For some students, this may mean having to repeat the third grade. “In order to be ready for fourth grade, there are certain benchmarks that the students need to meet,” Guigar said. For 21 years Cheryl Guigar has been inspiring young students in Ubly, where she teaches “We’re implementing the third grade. (Paige Withey/For the Tribune) individual reading plans
The halls of Ubly Schools are decorated for reading month. (Paige Withey/For the Tribune) that involve the parents at home to get the kids who may be struggling to where they need to be.” While it has always been a part of the elementary curriculum, reading has quickly become a top priority for young students. The
halls of Ubly Elementary School are decorated in celebration of National Reading Month, giving the students an exciting place to take a break with a book. “Every day the students get time to take their book into
The halls of Ubly Schools are decorated for reading month. (Paige Withey/For the Tribune)
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the hallway and read,” Guigar explained. “ It’s something fun they look forward to that helps them learn at the same
time.” “There are so many more things now these kids have to learn, compared to years ago,”
she added. “Day by day, teaching is constantly changing” Despite the challenges, many teachers would agree the rewards of their career far out way the challenges. “You spend a lot of time together,” Guigar said. “So, when a concept finally clicks for these kids and you can see it happen, it’s really rewarding. It feels good to be a part of that.” “We’re all from the same close-knit community,” she added. “Everyone knows what’s going on in and outside of school. I think that’s one of the benefits of being a teacher in a small town — getting to know your students really well and what their needs are.” Ubly Elementary Principal Yvonne O’Connor spoke highly of the third-grade teacher, praising her stability in the classroom and her ability to work well with her fellow teachers. “(Cheryl) works hard to structure her class so that the students are always learning and growing,” O’Connor said. “She makes sure they are meeting the necessary requirements for their grade level while taking into consideration their emotional needs. She’s a great asset to the school.” Despite the changes and challenges, Cheryl Guigar is a perfect example of what a great teacher can do for her students. The community thanks her for her years of dedication and looks forward to her continued inspiration of young students.
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HURON DAILY TRIBUNE
SATURDAY, MARCH 21, 2020
Language arts teacher finds her calling during children’s literacy class BY SARA EISINGER sara.eisinger@hearstnp.com CASEVILLE — Kelly Jaworski is not just a thirdgrade teacher at Caseville Public School. She is one of those special educators who take great pride in devoting extra time and care to each of her students. “I love being a constant support for my students and helping them to grow as learners, as well as human beings,” Jaworski said. “I love the ability to foster a love for learning that continues once students leave my classroom.” The committed elementary teacher did not grow up dreaming of becoming one. As irony would have it, educators helping to cultivate and foster dreams was how she received her calling into a life of teaching. “I took a children’s literature class to fulfill a requirement for my undergraduate degree,” Jaworski said. “My professor helped me to realize that education, especially early literacy, was a discovered passion that developed quickly.”
Jaworski graduated from Alma College in 2009, before receiving her graduate degree from Concordia University-Portland in 2016. Her undergraduate degree consisted of a major in elementary education, minoring in English and sociology. She even received an early childhood endorsement. Her master’s degree was in early childhood education curriculum and instruction. It only made sense that Jaworski would go on to teach language arts and social studies to young children. “I tell my students that reading should take them on a journey, and if it doesn’t, then find something new to read,” Jaworski said. Jaworski never moved to the city to live the big city life she had originally hoped for. After that first early childhood class, she had fallen in love. “There are so many things that I love about teaching,” Jaworski said. “Building relationships with families and community members is another reason that being an educator is amazing. I am so blessed to be able to
pay forward the educational experience that I received as a Caseville student.” Jaworski shared some of her favorite memories on the job, including taking the preschoolers tree climbing at the nature center. She actually acted out the metamorphosis of butterflies with the class, before releasing some live. Jaworski was also able to teach her own niece, Kelly an opportuniJaworski ty neither took for granted. She shared some rather humorous moments, as well. “We were studying the invasion of Fort Mackinac during Michigan History and the students had to build an indestructible fort from various materials,” Jaworksi said. “Their fort had to withstand three canon fires (nerf darts) in order for their fort to be deemed indestructible. The kids had a blast and so did I!” Sometimes teaching gets serious, and there was a time in particular Jaworski wished
to talk about. She was working with a head start group, upon noticing a student was in need of services. It became necessary to collaborate with the caregivers to determine how to best meet the student’s needs and support the family. “I was so thankful to be a part of the team for this student’s success,” Jaworski said. “After many appointments and meetings, there was hope for all of them to see improvement in the child’s development. “It is so neat to now have that student in my elementary classroom being a successful learner and classroom citizen. That student is one of my greatest sources of pride as an educator.” Jaworski believes that a great educator should try different strategies, accepting that they may not always work out. She pointed out how important it is to keep the strategies that worked in a toolbox to use appropriately in meeting the unique needs of learners. “A good educator is many things, but a great educator knows what aspects of
education on which to capitalize and which to edit,” Jaworski said. The English teacher added the importance of being a good listener. It is necessary to learn from others in the profession, because there is always more knowledge to gain and things to improve upon. Therefore, she has made it a personal habit to find peers she is able to grow with. According to those peers, patience may very well be one of Jaworski’s greatest assets. Another could her relationship-based style of teaching. “I always say that I do not truly know my students until I know all of their pets’ names,” Jaworski said. “Although this seems silly to some, I truly enjoy getting to know my students as people.” It is when students recognize acceptance from Jaworski that they truly begin to feel comfortable. That is how one of Caseville’s most prized teachers is to break barriers, so that she may better understand the social, emotional, and cognitive development of each student in order to deliver the best instruction in her toolkit.
One dedicated nurse does it all at Harbor Beach Community Hospital BY SARA EISINGER sara.eisinger@hearstnp.com
HARBOR BEACH — Tony Emerick is a registered nurse who puts all he has into serving the patients of Harbor Beach Community Hospital. “I enjoy helping others in time of need,” Emerick said. “All of my adult life I have gravitated toward helping others.” Emerick attended St. Clair County Community College in Port Huron,
where he excelled in completing accelerated college courses and the required clinical program. While the hard-working RN was enrolled in classes, he was also studying to become a licensed paramedic. After graduating nursing school in 2015, Emerick worked for McLaren of Port Huron. His talents were recognized. After only one year, he was promoted
to supervisor of the emergency room. Aware that many doors were about to open, the motivated nurse recognized his unique passion for the Tony emergency Emerick department and interest in working for small rural hospitals. Harbor Beach seemed to be the perfect fit. In
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working for a critical access hospital, Emerick has acquired many hats. “My title here is assistant director of nursing, trauma coordinator, and emergency preparedness coordinator,” Emerick said. “I hold three major positions within the hospital.” When donning his assistant director of nursing hat, Emerick supervises the emergency room and assists with
acute care operations. As the trauma coordinator, he assists the trauma medical director in overseeing the trauma program. The pair ensures that the verified level IV trauma facility is preparing, teaching and training its staff to provide the highest quality of care to trauma patients. This includes conducting process improvement. “We review these cases
and make changes to the program to improve our process,” Emerick said. Under his emergency preparedness coordinator’s hat, Emerick prepares and trains hospital staff for events that may arise outside their typical work day. For the time being, this means prepping everyone for a potential coronavirus outbreak. See NURSE, inside
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SATURDAY, MARCH 21, 2020
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Carr mixes medicine and spirituality with his two professions BY MARY DRIER For the Tribune
a surplus of us in that field, “he said. So I started to look elsewhere for work.” CASS CITY — Chuck He started applying for Carr’s careers have jobs in Michigan in 1983 contributed to peoples’ because his wife is from well-being both physically here. and spiritually. “When asked why I At Hills and Dales moved to Michigan, I just General Hospital in Cass say, ‘Love brought me City, he is a respiratory here,’” he said. therapist, and he is also He got a job at the an itinerant minister in Garden City Hospital in the area. Michigan and worked “I started out pastoring there for 13 years. a very small church in “While I was there, Missouri,” Carr said. “They I continued to do the could not afford to pay me Lord’s work — itinerant very much, so I worked preaching, teaching Bible other jobs. I worked at a school, teaching Sunday store changing truck and school, and worked full car tires. I wasn’t married time,” said Carr. so at that time so my Some of his education financial needs were not for his theological career great. Later, I decided I included attending the wanted to do something Bob Jones University, more with my life. A school and earning a second there had a 12 month respi- degree from the William ratory program. I continued Tyndale College in Farmto pastor, continued to work ington Hills. He has also at the tire store, and took attended the Northland classes.” Baptist Bible College as At the end of year, he well as Detroit Baptist earned a respiratory Theological Seminary. certification. Shortly He furthered his after he graduated, the education as a respiraeconomy was in a slump tory therapist by getting so jobs were hard to find a bachelor’s degree to in his community of about upgrade from his cer3,400 people. tificate. Carr explained “The community had a respiratory therapist two hospitals, but because program now takes three of the school’s respiratory years to complete and is program there, there was an associate degree.
Chuck Carr, at right, has been a respiratory therapist at the Hills and Dales General Hospital in Cass City since 2002. He also managed the respiratory department for about 16 years before stepping down two years ago to slow down some. (Provided photo) He went from the me an opportunity to be a therapist; and as an Garden City Hospital to in the community as a itinerate minister, I share the Port Huron General Christian,” Carr said. the Gospel and adminHospital for six years, “I’m a respiratory ister to spiritual needs,” and he also continued his therapist who is also a he said. “I enjoy what I ministry there as well. pastor, and I’m a pastor do at the hospital an in From there, he went to that is also a respiratory churches.” Hills and Dales General therapist.” Carr preaches at various Hospital in 2002, where “Those careers have churches in the area. he also managed the given me an opportunity He helps out at the First respiratory department to enjoy the sciences and Baptist Church in Cass for about 16 years before the continuing education City. He is a deacon on the stepping down two years that goes with being board there, teaches adult ago to slow down some. “What I like about being a therapist, it has been a steady career for 37 years, and it has given
Sunday school, and when the pastor is out of town, he preaches in his place. He noted both his careers give him a lot of satisfaction. “As a respiratory therapist and part of the hospital’s team, it is satisfying when I can help someone physically with their breathing, and satisfying when I can minister the Word that brought comfort and peace.” Carr’s position is also called a cardiopulmonary therapist, because it deals with both the lungs and heart. As a cardiopulmonary therapist, Carr goes to “code blue” calls at the hospital, which is where someone is in immediate danger of losing their life. He is part of the cardiopulmonary resuscitation team that responds. “That is immensely satisfying,” he said. “When you have helped saves someone’s life.” The downside of his medical profession is when someone who has breathing issues that he worked with for a long time passes, he said.
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nate experiences that brought them to this special healer. Emerick has been Continued from 1A told that he creates a calm environment, understands where people are “I ensure that the hospital has the coming from, answers questions thorability, during a time like COVID-19 oughly, teaches effectively and evokes outbreak, to treat and maintain a good logic. secure and safe facility ensuring that Being a nurse with many hats, the our staff, patient’s and community toolbox full of skills, talents, and remain out of harm’s way while still education have certainly equipped him preparing for the worst,” Emerick said. to handle any situation. They specifiEmerick pointed to the six years cally came in handy when called upon he devoted to the Marine Corps and to assist in the emergency delivery of his multiple experiences serving as a an infant. volunteer firefighter for the developing This unselfish act came with the the skills that allow him through tough reward of holding a baby boy, knowing situations. that he and his mother were in stable “I remain calm in times of panic healthy condition. Such a scenario is and have been told that I help others why Emerick does what he does and to to calm down and have a sense of hope the best of his abilities. when they otherwise feel hopeless,” “The best part of my job is when I Emerick said. save a life,” Emerick said. Perhaps an even greater influence The dedicated nurse brought up was his own father, who he credited for several life-saving examples, including turning him into the man he is today. heart attack patients going into lethal “Even though my father was never in rhythm. the medical field I still learned my pro“They look up at you and with a very fessionalism, will and drive to complete sincere look (and) thank you for what my goals in life from my father,” you’ve done for them,” Emerick said. Emerick said. “There is no better feeling. The meanPatients often provide positive ingful thank you that we receive in our feedback after undergoing the unfortu- profession is worth everything.”
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SATURDAY, MARCH 21, 2020
Maust brings math, soccer and yoga expertise to Laker Ohio native building roots in the Thumb BY ERIC RUTTER eric.rutter@hearstnp.com PIGEON — Growing up in Ohio, current Laker Secondary Schools math teacher Katie Maust long held an appreciation, and even a fascination, for the subject. As a child, Maust would frequently excel at mathematics, and her innate interest in the field compelled her to major in middle childhood education for math and science at Bluffton University. Once she had graduated from Bluffton, Maust taught at Christ the King in Sebewaing for two years before coming to Laker Schools in 2016. “I always really liked math,” Maust said. “I remember when I was in school, at some point along the way someone had said to me, ‘Oh, that’s weird that you’re a girl and you still like math.’ Then it motivated me even more to be a math teacher and to make sure that all students can learn to love math, girls and boys.” After being told as a child that math is usually a male-specific field, Maust grew increasingly passionate about the complex system of calculations and equations. Now, Maust works to help inspire the same appetite for learning in today’s youth, particularly among children who are already in a difficult period of transition. “When I was in middle school, I just noticed that it was a pretty hard time for a lot of kids,” Maust said. “There are a lot of changes with friendships and puberty, so I always kind of liked that age because I wanted to be there and make it less terrible than some kids have in middle school.” Acting as a helpful and
essarily, but we need to know what is reasonable, what it means and how to apply that to a deeper concept.” In fact, some of the most rewarding moments occur when Maust’s students turn the corner and pick up on a concept that they had been struggling with. “Definitely the light bulb moments, for sure,” Maust confirmed. “I really enjoy when the kids are able to teach me a different way of thinking about something and teach each other.” Although Maust recently returned to school and obtained her master’s degree last summer, the math teacher is constantly assessing her own teaching strategies and brainstorming new methods to implement to help smooth over the learning process. This Laker Schools’ Katie Maust provides instruction to a student during class time. (Eric Rutter/Hvuron Daily is a challenge that keeps her Tribune) trusted confidant for the Since moving from Ohio, and other ideas, so they can focused on the results and the students, Maust sees an Maust has grown to apprevisualize it,” Maust said. “I try process of her craft. extensive amount of developciate the small communities to use some different strategies Just as Maust is committed ment across Laker Secondary that make up the Thumb. than just the traditional algebra to teaching young Laker Schools as a whole. “That is really, really cool methods that I was taught.” students how to add, subtract, “They change so fast at this because Maust multiply and divide, she also age physically, obviously, and it’s really teaches a bit spends a wealth of time transthen they mature, and they personal, of geometry ferring the nuances of soccer to grow up,” Maust said. “They are and you get to her upcoming athletes. really becoming who they are to know students, As a defender on the pitch with their personalities, and it’s everybody but much at Bluffton, Maust has long really cool to see that transfor- and feel of the work enjoyed the sport and now uses mation.” connected is focused her position at Laker as another At this point in her career, to people,” on helping opportunity to give back to the many of the students Maust has Maust said. the students youth. taught are now in high school Throughunderstand If those tasks were not and are reaching another out her algebra. As enough to keep Maust occupied, pivotal transitory period in career, one technology she also teaches yoga at Sandy their lives. Since Maust is of the most continues Shores in Caseville in addition Katie Maust highly invested in her students rewarding to progress, to running a class at Lakers for Laker Secondary math teacher and their success, this reality aspects for students the school staff. can become an emotional Muast is watching children now have more tools at their “That’s been really fun process for the educator. tackle an equation or a problem disposal to problem solve with. and really good for our stress “The students I had when that at first caused a bit of “When I was in school, my levels,” Maust said. I first came to Lakers, they difficulty. In order to help teachers would say, ‘You have With as much on Muast’s are juniors, so I’m almost to her students along the way, to do this because you’re not plate as she has, stress managethe point where I can see the Maust employs a wide range of going to carry around a calcument can come in handy, so her kids that I taught graduatmethods to help each kid learn lator every day,’” Maust said. yoga practice has become a key ing,” Maust said. “It is really the material. “But with phones we do. We element to her success at Laker, rewarding to see who they “We do a lot of visuals and don’t need to memorize how to a tenure that she hopes will become as adults.” diagrams to go with the algebra calculate all those things neccontinue for many years.
I’m almost to the point where I can see the kids that I taught graduating. It is really rewarding to see who they become as adults.”
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