Syracuse Area Teachers to Receive Clarkson University Inspirational High School Educator Awards

POTSDAM, NY (05/01/2012)(readMedia)-- Elizabeth Carpenter of Cazenovia, N.Y., and Patricia DeVivo-Beers of Central Square, N.Y., motivates their students to achieve great success. They are two of three recipients of this year's Clarkson University Inspirational High School Educator Award.

Carpenter, a Regents and AP Physics teacher at Chittenango Central Schools in Chittenango, N.Y., was nominated by former student Thomas Wilkowski of Bridgeport, N.Y., a senior electrical engineering student at Clarkson.

DeVivo-Beers, a mathematics teacher and subject area specialist (SAS) at Paul V. Moore High School in the Central Square Central School District in Central Square, N.Y., was nominated by former student Kallie Desmond of Brewerton, N.Y., a senior biomolecular science student at Clarkson.

The award will be presented on May 11, during Clarkson's commencement weekend activities.

Each year, Clarkson asks its seniors to nominate the secondary school educators who have significantly affected their lives and helped guide their higher education and career decisions. The award recognizes these educators for their lasting impact on their students and in their fields of education.

Early in the spring term, graduating seniors submit their reasons for choosing their teachers, how the teachers influenced them and actual situations in which the teachers showed themselves to be outstanding educators.

"Mrs. Carpenter takes the time to make sure her students understand what they are working on," says Wilkowski. "She will forgo her free time to make sure her students are getting the best education possible. The skill of her commitment is few and far between in the teaching community. Mrs. Carpenter had a strong work ethic and that inspired us to work equally as hard. Her commitment to her students was not matched by any other teacher I have had in high school or college."

"Patti DeVivo is one of the most loved and respected teachers at Central Square," says Desmond. "She is the kind of teacher who will do anything for her students and co-workers. She consistently goes above and beyond for those she teaches and works with. As a class advisor, she always made sure that her students had the very best, but that they did the hard work and fundraising to get what they wanted. She taught us all how to set goals and dream big. She always inspired us to be better."

"Clarkson realizes the importance of recognizing those high school educators who played a significant role in the overall education and personal development of their students," says Vice President for University Outreach and Student Affairs Kathryn B. Johnson. "These high school educators help students to discover their full potential and guide them toward success."

Clarkson University launches leaders into the global economy. One in five alumni already leads as a CEO, VP or equivalent senior executive of a company. Located just outside the Adirondack Park in Potsdam, N.Y., Clarkson is a nationally recognized research university for undergraduates with select graduate programs in signature areas of academic excellence directed toward the world's pressing issues. Through 50 rigorous programs of study in engineering, business, arts, sciences and health sciences, the entire learning-living community spans boundaries across disciplines, nations and cultures to build powers of observation, challenge the status quo, and connect discovery and engineering innovation with enterprise.