First-grade teacher wins Golden Apple Award

Mary Yackey, first grade teacher at St. Mary of the Assumption Catholic School, has been named one of the 2014-2015 Golden Apple Award winners. Through the generosity of the Jack and Rhodora Donahue Family Foundation, the Golden Apple Award has been established to honor outstanding individuals who devote their lives to teaching in Catholic schools in the Diocese of Toledo and the Diocese of Pittsburgh.

St. Mary of the Assumption Catholic School is the first school, in the history of the Golden Apple Awards to have its teachers win in consecutive years. Last year Therese Tate, St. Mary’s Kindergarten teacher, received the award.

Yackey will be attending an awards banquet on May 21 at the Hilton Garden Inn in Perrysburg. She will receive a Certificate of Achievement, a Golden Apple with a 24 carat gold cross, a Golden Apple lapel pin, and a cash award of $5,000.

Yackey has taught first grade at St. Mary’s for the past 16 years. She serves as the LIFE Team Coordinator for the school. She is the lead teacher in the ACE Collaborative on Curriculum Development for Language Arts.  She has served as mentor teacher for resident educators and as St. Mary’s Local Professional Development Committee representative for the State of Ohio Department of Education. She has been awarded Master Teacher status by the Diocese of Toledo and the Ohio Department of Education.  In addition, she serves as a Lector and Eucharistic Minister at St. Mary of the Assumption Parish.

Yackey is also involved in improving the Van Wert community. She assists with fundraisers at the Van Wert Elks and is in the Van Wert Civic Theater and Off Stage Productions. She also serves the Van Wert High School Swim Team by helping with the computer scoring and serves meals to needy at Bread and Bowl at First United Methodist Church.

“I find no greater joy than teaching in the Catholic school where I attended as a child,” says Yackey. “Through my role as a first grade teacher at St. Mary of the Assumption Catholic School, I am entrusted to serve my students as they embark upon both their educational and spiritual journeys. I take this honor very seriously, and I understand that the unique spiritual aspects of a Catholic education serve to help shape a child’s view of the world. I truly believe that our Project Based Learning model allows me to provide a “hands on” approach to learning that children embrace. In addition to its academic value, the model also challenges my students to explore the wonders of God and develop responsible human beings who will transform the world. I am blessed to be able to serve in St. Mary of the Assumption Catholic School. I do so with a joyful heart, longing to bring all of my students closer to God. Together we are on a joyful journey.”

St. Mary’s Principal Dan Metzger comments, “Mrs. Yackey is an essential part of St. Mary of the Assumption Catholic School. As a principal, it is a great feeling to know that if I need help in getting something done, Mrs. Yackey will be one of the first people to step up and take it on. When you enter Mrs. Yackey’s classroom, you see a room buzzing with activity. Depending on the day or time, you may see students working independently at tables; interacting with each other at learning centers; using various means of technology, like a Smart Board and iPads to reinforce classroom instruction; or working on project-based learning lessons. You will also have a hard time finding Mrs. Yackey.   She will more than likely be on her knees or in a small chair conferring with a student at the student’s eye level, or on the floor working with a small group. Mrs. Yackey understands that students have to be actively engaged in the learning process. Her classroom is a place of great discovery, adventure, and creativity. She is committed to making herself, her classroom, the whole school, St. Mary of the Assumption Parish, and the Van Wert community the best it can be and that is why she is truly deserving of this award.”