ALBION SCHOOLS: An interview with Albion’s Susan Starkweather

By Nicole Coleman/colemann@gnnewspaper.com

For the past 16 years, Susan Starkweather has worked diligently for the students in the Albion Central School District, never asking for anything in return.

Last month, the tables were turned when she received the prestigious 2007 Golden Empire Award from the New York School Public Relations Association at a lunch ceremony in New York City.

The Journal-Register caught up with Starkweather to find out more.

QUESTION: On Oct. 26, you traveled to the Sheraton Hotel in New York City to receive the award. How long do you think the “glow” of winning will last?

ANSWER: It was quite an honor being acknowledged by my professional peers for the work I have done at Albion Central School. I continue to be grateful for the opportunities Albion has given me. The awards ceremony luncheon recognized the work of school public relations personnel in several different categories, including budget books, calendars, Web sites, photos, special interest publications and writing excellence. School districts submit samples of their work in various categories that are then judged and awarded.

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Q: You have worked in the Albion Central School District — your alma mater — for 16 years. Over time, your responsibilities grew by leaps and bounds, requiring the district to hire a second part-time employee. What have been some of your accomplishments? What is a typical day for you?

A: I am proud to be working at my alma mater and happy to give back to a school that gave me an excellent education. I was hired in 1991 as the director of the Community Schools Grant. I was in charge of coordinating the grant until it was no longer funded by New York State in June 2003. From 1993 to 2003 I coordinated the district’s Adult Continuing Education program. In 1999, I added Public Information Officer to my list of job responsibilities; it just seemed to be a perfect fit with everything else I was doing. In February 2003, I became the District Grants Manager and wrote, coordinated, and supervised several grants.

Through the years, I helped develop the extensive volunteer program at the elementary school with over 200 volunteers, provided meaningful extended day enrichment and academic intervention opportunities for children, and encouraged community agencies to work with our students and staff to support education. I am happy our district has a positive working relationship with our community. It is something I will always work hard to cultivate. Our students need to know who is in our community, how the community can assist our students and how our students can help in our community.

One accomplishment I am especially proud of is the expansion of the service learning program to a district wide program. Last year 70 teachers, over 1600 students and 28 community agencies worked together to provide 46,000 plus hours of service to our community. My goal is to expand this program even further.

A “typical day” for me is never typical! Every day is different. I think that is one of things I like best about my job; it is always changing and evolving as the needs of our district change.

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Q: Is this the career you always envisioned for yourself? You work with students in pre-school through high school on a daily basis; what is the most rewarding part of your job? How do you hope to empower Albion's students?

A: I was just talking about this with my niece, Jessica. When I was young I thought I would be a history teacher like my Uncle Paul, but I ended up majoring in psychology. I worked as a chemical dependency counselor and prevention educator prior to my position with the district. I never dreamed that I would be doing what I am doing today, but I am so glad it is something I truly enjoy. We never know where life is going to take us.

The most rewarding part of my job is interacting with students on a daily basis and providing support to them in any way I can. I hope to help our students to make connections with their community, especially through our service learning program, and guide them to becoming active citizens in our society.

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Q: You seem to be one of those happy, peppy, self-motivated individuals who settle for nothing less than the best. Would you agree? How has that helped you succeed?

A: I have been blessed to be raised in a family where each one of us takes pride in a strong work ethic and always strives to do our very best. My father was highly motivated and one of the friendliest people I have ever known — I think he knew everyone. He was happiest when he was interacting with people and helping others. I try to live every day as I believe he would want me to, assisting others, being a positive influence in people’s lives, and always doing the best job I can. I think my positive attitude, self-motivation and perseverance have been instrumental in my professional success.

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Q: What is your advice for students seeking success? Why do you feel it is important to applaud their achievements? Based on your experience, what are the ingredients for a solid education?

A: Students seeking success need to be able to recognize and be prepared for opportunities that may come their way. Students should always give their best effort, learn how to work with others in an organization, make positive connections, maintain good attendance, be committed to continuous improvement and always complete the job they are given to the best of their abilities.

It is important to recognize students for their achievements. I think young people are doing some amazing things in their community, school, at home, and at church. We need to support them, recognize their efforts and encourage them to keep up the good work. I think sometimes we don’t realize just how hard young people are working and that they really do care about others and their community. Recognizing their efforts will help them to strive for future success.

In my opinion and experience at the Albion Central School District, some basic ingredients of a solid education are: family support and encouragement, caring teachers and support staff, a visionary administration and board of education, teaching relevant information in a rigorous way, holding students accountable for their actions and education, and engaging community members in the education process.

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Q: The Albion School District continuously strives for improved programming and student services. What is your next school project?

A: I am always looking for a grant or a funding source that can assist the district in meeting its goals of student achievement. We have several new service learning projects in the works for this school year. I think the project I am most excited about is a walking communities/fitness project in partnership with Medina Memorial Health Care System’s Community Partner’s Program that will be completed this spring. It will benefit our students, families and community.

Contact reporter Nicole Colemanat 798-1400, ext. 2227.

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