Faculty Recognition
Ralph R. and Grace B. Jones Foundation
2015 Outstanding Teacher Award
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Faithfully serving the students of the Wooster City School District for 25 years, Patricia (Patty) Chelf was recently named the recipient of the 2015 Outstanding Teacher Award, presented by the Ralph R. and Grace B. Jones Foundation.
Chelf, who a fifth-grade Language Arts teacher, won an unrestricted $5,000 cash stipend with the award through the foundation.
“While there are many men and women in our school and district that could win this award, Ms. Chelf has proven time and again that she cares for her students and genuinely wants to see them succeed in the classroom and beyond,” said Dean Frank, principal at Edgewood Middle School. “She truly is a one-of-a-kind teacher and has been a blessing to work with as a principal. Not only does she inspire her students, she instills confidence in her fellow educators.”
After earning her teaching degree at the University of Akron, Chelf taught at both Melrose Elementary School and Edgewood throughout her career. She is described as a “veteran teacher who has a dynamic teaching method and a strong ability to comprehend the needs of her students.”
Chelf has the ability to allow her students to independently demonstrate their capabilities and show how much she truly cares for their wellbeing. Outside of the classroom, she regularly volunteered with her late husband, going on mission trips where she would give her time to helping children.
In its 16th year, the Wooster City Schools Outstanding Teacher Award recognizes teachers whose performance inside and outside of the classroom goes above and beyond the ordinary and is noticed by the greater Wooster community.
“The entire school community consistently thanks Ms. Chelf for her dedicated service, compassion and servant teaching style,” said Superintendent Dr. Michael Tefs. “We appreciate all of her hard work and dedication, and commend her for her continued pursuit of excellence in education. She is incredibly deserving and a very special educator.”
Ralph R. & Grace B. Jones Foundation Award Criteria