Waldon’s Marty Green thought she was surprised when she was honored with the Lake Orion Community School’s Middle School Teacher of the Year award at a staff meeting last week.
Then she realized her family had come to help her celebrate.
‘I’m shocked,? Green said. ‘That brought me to tears. To have all my family here was wonderful.?
Green has taught in the district for over 29 years at various levels.
She has spent the past 23-plus years at Waldon, as a department head in special education.
‘Lake Orion is such a great place to teach,? Green said. ‘I have made so many lifelong friends.?
One of those friends is Waldon Principal Heidi Kast.
‘I started here as a special education teacher and started in her department,? Kast recalled. ‘She is truly dedicated and works in the best interest of the kids.?
Kast added that Green always has a smile on her face.
‘She always has a positive, upbeat attitude,? she said. ‘We are truly blessed to have her here at Waldon and in the Lake Orion District.?
Green was honored at a staff meeting after school last Friday.
Her 93-year-old mother (whom Green described as a ‘party animal?) was in attendance, as were many of her seven siblings, one of whom flew in from Kansas for the event.
‘We have a lot of teachers in my family,? Green said, noting her parents? influence. Two of Green’s siblings also teach in special education.
But Green quickly noted that her biological family wasn’t the only one there to help her celebrate the honor.
‘This building is awesome,? she said. ‘We work as a team and they are a second family to me.?
Green said that many of her students come back to visit after leaving Waldon too.
‘That’s a very rewarding feeling,? she said.
Green’s honor marks the second year in a row that the Middle School Teacher of the Year has come from Waldon. Donna deWitt Schnell was honored in the 2005-06 school year.
‘This is the place to be,? Green said.
Next week, The Review will profile the Elementary School Teacher of the Year. Plus, another Waldon teacher wins an award.