It’s easy for Waldon Middle School teacher Kay Weidman-Kernick to call the Lake Orion Schools ‘home.? She spent her school years as a Dragon, has children who are Lake Orion alumni, and this year, will complete her 31st year teaching in the district.
She’ll also do it in style as the district’s Middle School Teacher of the Year.
‘She is a dynamic bundle of energy and 100 percent of that energy goes towards her teaching,? Waldon Principal Heidi Kast said. ‘We are fortunate to have (her) as a part of our Waldon team.?
According to Kast, Weidman-Kernick ‘goes beyond the call of duty? and really works to keep the spirit at Waldon Middle School high by setting up unique activities for the students and staff, one of which is the teacher/student basketball game.
Weidman-Kernick, who teaches physical education, is also involved in various community sporting organizations, which Kast said gives Waldon students a ‘perfect example? of the importance of being physically fit.
‘Kay is a dedicated physical education teacher who lives what she teaches,? said Superintendent Christine Lehman. ‘She is always enjoying soccer, softball or even walking, but she is very rarely standing still.?
‘Her passion is for challenging kids to be active and incorporate physical activity into their daily life,? she added.
Weidman-Kernick was very surprised and honored to be selected for the award, saying it was ‘something totally unexpected? and thanks her students for keeping the spark in her.
‘A big thank you to my students, both past and present,? she said. ‘They keep me young.?
‘Teaching middle school kids is like swimming in the fountain of youth, I never really feel any older,? Weidman-Kernick added. ‘I’m a big kid at heart, and what better job to have than to teach students how to have fun and get healthy doing it.?
She said that she loves all the rewards of teaching, and there are many, but her favorite is when a student accomplishes something that they could never do before.
‘To think that I can make a difference in how they view themselves, their ability, and what they can do in the future is an indescribable feeling,? she added.
Weidman-Kernick has taught all over the Lake Orion district in her 31 years, but has spent a majority of her teaching career at Waldon, which was originally a Lake Orion Middle School. In her time there, she said that she has made some of her best friends.
‘I’d be lost without them,? she said. ‘I’m truly blessed to be working here at Waldon. I love it here. It’s a great place to be.?
Weidman-Kernick, who thinks she is still in shock over the award, was surprised at a staff meeting at Waldon last week that included special guests Superintendent Christine Lehman, Assistant Superintendent Ken Gutman and School Board Treasurer Janet Wolverton, along with some extra-special guests ? members of her family.
Weidman-Kernick’s family, an important part of her life, include husband of four years, Bill; daughters, Kiley, Kelsey and Kaelyn; step-daughters, Heather, Holly and Lindsey; and granddaughters, Abby and Grace.