COVINGTON TWP, Pa., November 15th, 2024 – As the school year continues, North Pocono’s Buddies’ Club has implemented a new tradition that is sure to stick around. Each month, members of the club vote on a staff member that they believe would make a good “Staff Member of the Month”. These staff members are recognized for going “above and beyond in their role,” and bringing their best to the high school.
As of November fifteenth, two teachers have been chosen- one for September, and one for October. In September, English teacher Mrs. Slater was nominated as the first staff member of the month. As October came to a close, math teacher Mr. Nardella was chosen. Buddies Club member Matthew Brown is happy with this new tradition because it “gives staff members that might not get recognition the ability to be picked by students, and that implements inclusion in the classroom.” As a fair amount of the student body is involved in Buddies Club – 156 members to be exact – there are many different teachers represented by different students. Students have the ability to appreciate any teacher that they think has made an impact on their school experience.
Staff Member of the month recipient Mr. Kevin Nardella was honored when he received the news, saying that it was a “really nice thing to be voted for.” Mr. Nardella works to “do everything for the kids,” and it was “nice to hear something like that in return.” He observed that it was something that “makes me (Mr. Nardella) want to do even more.” As Matthew Brown stated, it gives staff members the recognition that they deserve, but might not receive.
This new tradition started by Buddies Club is sure to stick around for years to come, as it offers students a way to show their favorite teacher that what they do isn’t going unnoticed, and it reminds teachers that they are appreciated by their students. Teachers that are recognized through Staff Member of the Month receive a special gift from the Buddies Club and are showcased in a social media post on North Pocono’s Instagram. As the school year continues, more and more teachers will be recognized and commended for their efforts to make North Pocono a better, more inclusive place for all students.
