Press Release:

Mancelona Schools Chooses Media Specialist as this Year’s OPIE

Mancelona, Michigan – May 8, 2009 – In these times when educational positions are being drastically cut, Media Specialists feel especially anxious about the prospect of their jobs. The future of school libraries and the people who run them are at risk. One Media Specialist in Northern Michigan stands out from this trend.

Elizabeth Van Pate, Media Specialist of Mancelona Public Schools, was chosen by her fellow educators as this year’s OPIE (Outstanding Person in Education). Elizabeth Van Pate, a 2004 graduate of Florida State University’s Library and Information Science program, officially accepted the honor at a dinner held on May 7.

“Mancelona Public Schools embrace the concept of teachers working collaboratively,” says Mrs. Van Pate. “Teachers here want to work with me to make learning more engaging for the students.”

With higher expectations from the State’s education department, student success is even more critical than it has been in the past. Mrs. Van Pate incorporated technology into the classrooms, Media Center, and computer labs and has taught teachers and students how to use it.

Mrs. Van Pate says, “so many students live in a technology-rich environment, and when they walk through the front doors of many schools, they become disengaged because we need to do a better job engaging them.” Mrs. Van Pate is completing her second year of teaching in Mancelona.

Contact:
Joe Clark, Principal
Mancelona High School
gclark@mancelonaschools.org
P.O. Box 739
Mancelona, MI 49659
231-587-9764