UCS teachers honored for driving instruction

A Utica Community Schools kindergarten teacher has been honored for driving success in her classroom.

Molly Mayernik, a kindergarten teacher at Harvey Elementary School, has been named the overall UCS Teacher of the Year for 2016.

“Mrs. Mayernik represents the care, innovation and exemplary teaching and learning that students experience every day in Utica Community Schools classrooms,” said Superintendent Dr. Christine Johns. “She establishes a personal connection with her students and is dedicated to making sure each one of them is reaching their full potential.”

In recognition of her selection as Teacher of the Year, Mayernik is receiving a free, two-year lease on the vehicle of her choice from Suburban Ford, part of the Suburban Collection. She chose a silver convertible mustang.

"We are delighted that Molly Mayernik has been selected as the Teacher of the Year by Utica Community Schools," said David T. Fischer, Jr., General Manager, The Suburban Collection. “We are honored to help recognize a great teacher who has positively impacted so many children and present her with a vehicle lease from Suburban Ford of Sterling Heights."

Mayernik said she was “humbled” by the recognition.

“I love my students and I love my job,” she said. “The best part of being a kindergarten teacher is seeing the emotional, social and academic growth of my students. It’s an amazing experience.”

Also honored by the district at a March 23 celebration were Susan Tempio, a History/English teacher at Heritage Junior High School, and Dana Boice, a business/marketing teacher at Utica High School. In addition to being the overall Teacher of the Year, Mayernik was named the elementary teacher of the year.

Mayernik has taught for Utica Community Schools for the past 17 years, primarily at the kindergarten level.

In addition to teaching kindergarten at Harvey, Mayernik coordinates the school safety Patrols, teaches the lunchtime Homework Club, mentors at-risk students, and presents at professional workshops on the district’s early elementary personalized blended-learning model.

Her former students remember the warmth she provided them as they were starting their school careers.

“Years ago, when I was itty bitty, there was a teacher who turned my world upside down,” said Amanda Polly, now an eighth-grader at Bemis Junior High School. “She has done so much for me that I could never repay her. Most of all without her, I would not be the person I am today.”