Fran Wilson believes she can inspire any student to learn.
And she has pretty good evidence to back it up.
Wilson, a second-grade teacher and reading specialist at John F. Dumont Elementary School in Madeira, has won five grants for teaching proposals. One of them, Project All Write, allowed the school to create a publishing center to motivate students to write.
Her work has earned her the Hixson Teacher of the Year Award, which recognizes her ability to inspire students.
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Fran Wilson reads a story to her second-grade class at John F. Dumont Elementary School in Madeira on Tuesday.
(Steven M. Herppich photo)
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"I look at my job as sort of like a detective," she said. "I have to figure out what makes each kid tick. Then I have to adjust classroom work to get that child motivated to learn."
The award was established 13 years ago by Hixson Architecture Engineering Interiors to honor local teachers who have a positive impact on students, said Wick Ach, president of Hixson.
Elected president
Randall W. Maxey, a University of Cincinnati and Howard University graduate who grew up in Madisonville, has been elected president of the National Medical Association. It represents about 25,000 African-American doctors.
Maxey, a nephrologist in Los Angeles, said he will address some tough issues during his tenure, including inappropriate medical treatment of African-American patients and a health care system that he says prevents African-American doctors from treating managed-care patients.
Networking time
An end-of-summer blast with celebrities and business leaders is designed to celebrate good news on both sides of the Ohio River.
Check out the free event from 5-8 p.m. Sept. 10 at Club Clau, 1133 Sycamore St., Over-the-Rhine.
"It is a time to network and share good news," said Connie Burns, with Circuit, one of the sponsors.
Call 791-2884, ext. 204
OUR KIDS
Oak Hills teen thinks of others
Katie Kleemeier is all about helping others.
While maintaining a 4.0 grade-point average as an Oak Hills High School sophomore, she reaches out to people with mental and physical disabilities, helps train Special Olympians and plays the piano at the Western Hills Retirement Center.
"I really enjoy volunteer work,," Katie said. "It is a good opportunity to do something where you feel you are really helping. And ... it beats sitting around doing nothing.''
Katie, a member of the school concert band, plays piano at St. Simon Church. She is on the swim and cross-country track teams.
She is the daughter of Jim and Debbie Kleemeier of Bridgetown. Her sister, Kelly, is an eighth-grader at Rapid Run Middle School. Her brother, Rob, is an '03 Oak Hills grad.
ACADEMIC ALL-STARS
Bucholtz perfect
Environmental engineering major Brian Bucholtz earned a 4.0 grade-point average and was named to the spring semester dean's list at Northern Arizona University in Flagstaff for the eighth time.
He is the son of Jude and Elliott Bucholtz of Colerain Township.
MU students shine
Two Miami University Middletown students are recipients of the President's Distinguished Service Award
Leslie Ford,a microbiology major from Middletown, was recognized for her superior contributions in the classroom as well as her exceptional service to campus life.
Jennifer Keith, an English/creative writing major from Middletown, received the award for her efforts to make the university a more exciting place and the encouragement she has provided to other students.
Foken honored
Kira Foken has graduated magna cum laude in liberal arts, with honors, from Ohio State University.
The McAuley High School graduate is the daughter of Vincent Foken of Amberley Village.
Items about top students and their awards should be sent to Janinne Thompson, jthompson@enquirer.com or fax (513) 755-4150.
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