MANSFIELD — Diane Wilkinson was passionate about education and eager to invest in her students and fellow teachers.
Now a fund established in her name will benefit Mansfield elementary students for years to come.
Wilkinson graduated from Mansfield Senior High School in 1965 and worked 30 years — teaching at Roseland, Carpenter and Springmill Elementary schools. Even after retiring, she provided tutoring services throughout Richland County. After she passed away in January, her husband and two sons established a memorial grant program through the Richland County Foundation.
The first project funded by the Diane Wilkinson Memorial Grant will be a partnership between Mansfield City Schools and The Friendly House. District students enrolled in The Friendly House’s after-school program will have access to reading tutors four days a week. All five tutors involved are current or retired Mansfield City School teachers.
Holly Christie, director of student support programs for Mansfield City Schools, announced the collaboration during Tuesday’s board meeting. She also shared briefly about her experience working alongside Wilkinson. During her first year as a teacher, Christie led reading groups in her classroom.
“That year had a large impact on me as a teacher and what kind of teacher I wanted to become,” Christie recalled. “Diane’s hard-work ethic, collaborative nature and special way with children really resonated with me. Diane loved all children, but especially those that really needed it.”
Wilkinson’s son Marc, who joined the board meeting via Zoom, was sure his mother would be proud of the program.
“My wife and I are both crying here,” he said after Christie spoke. “This means the world to me. My mom is smiling down from above.”
District treasurer Tacy Courtwright announced the district was awarded a $135,600 Community Development Block Grant from the City of Mansfield.
The grant funds will be used to purchase 500 back-up Chromebooks. The district currently provides Chromebooks to every student that needs one.
Community Development Block Grants are funded by the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development and distributed through municipal governments to promote better housing and economic growth.
According to Fayette Adams, the director of technology for the district, the City of Mansfield allowed for some flexibility in the way funds were spent due to the COVID-19.
“Because we have such poverty in our district, they opened it up to allow other things that we would need during the pandemic,” Adams said.
Other items addressed during the board meeting included a presentation by Woodland Principal Bethany Scott, who recognized first grade teacher for the Tyger Digital Academy Elizabeth Shirk.
Scott praised Shirk for her flexibility, organization and willingness to help her coworkers.
“She has gone above and beyond for her students every day. She jumped in from day one creating engaging lessons for her students; she has created videos for her parents,” Scott said.
Shirk said she has enjoyed the transition to online and introduced the board to two of her students.
Kevin Stone, a teacher at John Sherman Elementary and chairman of the Master Teacher committee, introduced the district’s latest Master Teacher.
Lori Nichols has been with the district for 12 years and currently serves as a student support specialist at Prospect Elementary. In her current role, Nichols works one-on-one with vulnerable students on reading recovery and helps small groups with literacy learning.She is also a member of Prospect’s building leadership team.
The Ohio Department of Education defines a Master Teacher as one who displays “excellence inside and outside of the classroom through consistent leadership and focused collaboration to maximize student learning.” In order to become a Master Teacher, a candidate must demonstrate skills including consistent leadership, focused collaboration, distinguished teaching and continued professional growth.
The board also:
– Approved a Title IX Services Agreement with the Mid-Ohio Educational Service Center.
– Approved a consultant, supervisor and support services agreement with the Mid-Ohio Educational Service Center.
– Approved an agreement to provide special education students with paid work experience through Progress Industries, a company operated by Catalyst Life Services.
– Approved various personnel items.
– Approved a memorandum of understanding between the Mansfield School Employees Association regarding health insurance benefits.
– Heard presentations from Mark Bobo of the Ohio School Board Association and Tracy Healy of Future Think.
– Entered into executive session to consider the employment, dismissal, or discipline of a public employee or official.
