February MHS Teachers of the Month

Irene works nonstop to provide our students with the best chance to learn and practice another language... French. She loves her job, in spite of every challenge we face each day. She always gives us "newbies" a dose of reality and reminds us that it IS possible to make it in this profession long-term! Her involvement with the IU Honors program is just one of many examples of how she gives beyond the classroom. She has creative, no-nonsense, and tried-and-true solutions and strategies to manage a million different concepts and situations. We love having her, and I know that I have personally benefited from being her co-worker.

Irene is a highly skilled and motivated teacher. She is professional in all aspects of her teaching and her peers and students respect her because of it. She grades her student's work quickly and returns it to them in a timely fashion so that they can make immediate improvements. Irene is also the sponsor of the French Club which she truly enjoys.

Irene is an outstanding teacher who leaves a lasting impression on students. Students who are in Irene's class for three or four years go on to do very well in college and many of her students have studied in France year after year for the IU Honors Program in Foreign Language. Irene is kind and loving to the members of her department and to people in general. She is a role model for excellence in our school. She is extremely professional and really has it together. She has been in the field a long time and shares past experiences with others in the department to get us through today's challenges. She is worthy of recognition as teacher of the month.

Irene is a great teacher.  She has a way of making French fun and interesting for her students.  She works throughout the year (and summer) to make sure her students will have what they need to succeed.

Over the years, many of my students have talked about how much they enjoyed/learned in Mr. Stafford's classes.

Great man, great teacher, great role model.  Mr. Stafford has a heart of gold and a heart for kids.  On the field or in the classroom he has the heart of a champion.  Mr. Stafford knows what “Rigor, Relevance, and Relationships” means here at Merrillville.  He is committed to bringing all kids up to the highest standards.

He should have been teacher of the month a long time ago.

I nominated Jake Stafford because he's my friend, and I bet he probably teaches very well. I am not in the Freshman Wing to observe him, but whenever I jokingly say bad things about him in my class, my students defend him ala the movie Spartucus. They will not let me talk about him, even though I clearly am joking. Whatever he's doing over there must be good to get that kind of support.

If you walk in the hallway with him you would see how the kids relate to him, he is loved by many.

January MHS Teacher of the Month

Everyday Mrs. Musielak creates an atmosphere that fosters positive relationships and continued learning. She is a valuable asset to Merrillville as she is the sponsor for FEA, prom, and English clinic and is a frequent volunteer at extracurricular activities.

Kristina is a pleasure to be around.  She fills our halls with a  bright spirit and always wears a smile.  She loves making a difference with her students.  She sacrifices a lot for her club kids in FEA.  She also gives a lot for the kids she tutors. 

Mrs. Musielak loves her job, she is passionate about what she does and asks for nothing in return.  She is a great example of what a selfless teacher is all about. 

I have frequently heard parents say how helpful Mrs. Draper is in explaining material to struggling students.

Nancy goes above and beyond the chairperson description.  She is a mentor, a mediator and advisor for both the math department and her students.  She delegates responsibilities to each member of the department, which has led to our success as a working unit.

Nancy defines what a true MHS Teacher should be, that is dedicated and loyal to Merrillville High School. She truly devotes her life to the Math Department and the progress of our school.  She is involved in various committees that promote students and teachers.

She is a teacher who does a terrific job of explaining math concepts to students.  I hear students and parents praise her for this ability.  She also demonstrates her concerns for teachers with being a former union rep and serving on the hospitality committee.