LIMA, Ohio (WLIO) - Lima City Schools has named this school year’s 10 staff members as recipients of the “Outstanding 11” award.
The recipients embody Clark’s 11 qualities to motivate and educate students: enthusiasm, adventure, creativity, reflection, balance, compassion, confidence, humor, common sense, appreciation, and resilience.
The program honors one staff member from each school building and was established in 2011 following a visit from nationally renowned educator and author Ron Clark, who wrote The Excellent 11. The recipients embody Clark’s 11 qualities to motivate and educate students: enthusiasm, adventure, creativity, reflection, balance, compassion, confidence, humor, common sense, appreciation, and resilience. Following the ceremony, four of the award winners reflected on the significance of the recognition and what it means to their careers.
“It's one of those envy awards of winning, and it's definitely a moment that I am not only proud of, but I’m hoping that, in the future, other educators could see the value of winning this award,” says Antonio Crea, Lima Senior High School Outstanding 11 Award Recipient.
“I’ve been teaching 42 years, and it's like the best job ever. It's so fun every day. The kids: it's never the same every day, and it just, like, keeps me going. It's everything to me,” says Renee Pranses, Unity Elementary School Outstanding 11 Award Recipient.
“It means a lot because all the Saturdays, all the late nights, the extra things that you put in that aren't required but you still do it anyhow for the kids, and all the help that my husband gives me. He comes back to school late at night and helps with things, too!” says Susie Kriegel, Independence Elementary School Outstanding 11 Award Recipient.
“I love the staff at West. I couldn't do it without some of the people that I work with, and it means a lot. The hours that we put in during school and after school and on the weekends. It's nice to see it pay off,” says Scott Ansley, West Middle School Outstanding 11 Award Recipient.
Following the ceremony, four of the award winners reflected on the significance of the recognition and what it means to their careers.
The following Lima City Schools staff members are the 2024–25 “Outstanding 11” award winners:
Heritage Elementary School: Terri Tinman
Independence Elementary School: Carol “Susie” Kriegel
Unity Elementary School: Renee Pranses
Freedom Elementary School: Kelsey Huffy
North Middle School: Laken Ambrister
West Middle School: Scott Ansley
South Science and Technology Magnet: Megan Lawrence
Liberty Arts Magnet: Erica Marshall
Lima Senior Alternative School: Jennifer Volz
Lima Senior High School: Antonio Crea
