We could not be prouder of Joe around CasaCostal these days. We found out last night that Joe won Oakcrest Teacher of the Year. The call came around 7:30 pm, and Joe of course, was working his third job so he wasn't home yet. Thankfully, the boys were being quiet because it was the Superintendent calling to tell Joe he and the selection committee had just finished deliberating and he had won Teacher of the Year! Well, I could hardly contain myself! You would've thought we won Publishers Clearinghouse! I was nary a few decibels short of screaming at the man, but I maintained some semblance of sanity and thanked him for calling. I immediately called Suz (as I do with any slight change, good, bad or otherwise, in my life!) and erupted with excitement!
Ironically, when I called my mom, she said "what does he get?" And I responded, "Well, nothing, just recognition." It would be nice if teaching were merit based. We'd be the richest family on the street, but instead we are rich with pride!
Anyone who has ever known Joe knows what an exceptional person he is. He throws himself wholeheartedly in any project, problem or situation that comes along. He is amazing at everything he does (and I'm not just saying that because he's my husband). He is the kind of person who could do ANYTHING! He won a national contest to write for CNN in Atlanta when he was in high school. He got three full scholarships to far better colleges, and chose Rowan. He was a radio DJ and editor of the college newspaper. He got the Disney internship in college, but turned it down. His PRAXIS scores were red flagged for their nearly perfect score. He thought he wanted to be a lawyer, so he took the LSATs and scored in the top of the COUNTRY! He and Dan are writing a book and were signed with a literary agent who is seeking publishers right now. He is an amazing writer and a phenominal public speaker, and although he says he gets nervous before every speech you could never tell! I could talk all day about all the things Joe has done or could do if he wanted to; he's just that kind of person. But you can't hate him for it. He would never boast. In fact, he's going to kill me when he reads all this!
One of the reasons I married Joe is because he makes me feel like I can do anything, and I'm sure I'm not the only one! Just ask his sister, who relied on Joe for emotional support and entertainment their whole childhood! To this day, "Fudgie the Whale" still calls her on her birthday! Joe has a zeal for life that has always intrigued me! He's sensitive, intuitive and thoughtful. That's what makes him a great husband and an amazing father! But it's obvious we're not the only lives he has touched! He puts everyone else first, sometimes at the expense of his own well being and sanity! From the moment he talks to you, he's invested. He'll stay late to help clean up, he'll search high and low for your keys (even though that's not his strong suit!), he'll edit your paper, he'll write your recommendation, he'll encourage you to go further no matter how impossible the dream! He's the kind of person you always want on your team. He'll get down in the trenches; he's not afraid of the work!
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And of all his many talents, by far his most shining accomplishment is his two boys! They just squeal with excitement every time Daddy walks in the door. And despite having been on his feet all day and out of the house for more than 12 hours, he is on the floor wrestling and playing with them until bedtime. He makes up games and imaginary friends and places for the kids. He's their best playmate.
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He's always thinking about us and planning things for us to do together. Dick Van Dyke may have sang "It's a jolly holiday with Mary," but we think it's a jolly holiday with Daddy! He just makes everything better!
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So, it's no surprise that he won teacher of the year. How could he do anything half way? What's amazing is that he was nominated (I believe almost every year since he's been working at Oakcrest) by his peers, not the kids who actually reap the benefits of what a great teacher he is! His teaching philosophy is simple: CARE! He shows his kids respect because he genuinely cares about them and their success.
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When I called Joe to tell him he'd won, he barely changed his tone of voice. I think he was more embarrassed than anything! I, of course, was freaking out. I had enough excitement for the two of us! The boys and I were over the moon for him! We decorated the house and screamed and cheered when he walked in the door! Finny said "how was your 'gratulations Daddy?" I'm glad that the school officially recognized what a great teacher he is, even though it only earns him some pats on the back and apparently a great parking spot for a year! It's easy to become complacent in a job like teaching because you get paid the same no matter how well you do it. Of course, we all know that Joe doesn't do that particular job for the money or the glory.
Ironically, when I called my mom, she said "what does he get?" And I responded, "Well, nothing, just recognition." It would be nice if teaching were merit based. We'd be the richest family on the street, but instead we are rich with pride!
Anyone who has ever known Joe knows what an exceptional person he is. He throws himself wholeheartedly in any project, problem or situation that comes along. He is amazing at everything he does (and I'm not just saying that because he's my husband). He is the kind of person who could do ANYTHING! He won a national contest to write for CNN in Atlanta when he was in high school. He got three full scholarships to far better colleges, and chose Rowan. He was a radio DJ and editor of the college newspaper. He got the Disney internship in college, but turned it down. His PRAXIS scores were red flagged for their nearly perfect score. He thought he wanted to be a lawyer, so he took the LSATs and scored in the top of the COUNTRY! He and Dan are writing a book and were signed with a literary agent who is seeking publishers right now. He is an amazing writer and a phenominal public speaker, and although he says he gets nervous before every speech you could never tell! I could talk all day about all the things Joe has done or could do if he wanted to; he's just that kind of person. But you can't hate him for it. He would never boast. In fact, he's going to kill me when he reads all this!
One of the reasons I married Joe is because he makes me feel like I can do anything, and I'm sure I'm not the only one! Just ask his sister, who relied on Joe for emotional support and entertainment their whole childhood! To this day, "Fudgie the Whale" still calls her on her birthday! Joe has a zeal for life that has always intrigued me! He's sensitive, intuitive and thoughtful. That's what makes him a great husband and an amazing father! But it's obvious we're not the only lives he has touched! He puts everyone else first, sometimes at the expense of his own well being and sanity! From the moment he talks to you, he's invested. He'll stay late to help clean up, he'll search high and low for your keys (even though that's not his strong suit!), he'll edit your paper, he'll write your recommendation, he'll encourage you to go further no matter how impossible the dream! He's the kind of person you always want on your team. He'll get down in the trenches; he's not afraid of the work!+of+IMG_0686.JPG)
And of all his many talents, by far his most shining accomplishment is his two boys! They just squeal with excitement every time Daddy walks in the door. And despite having been on his feet all day and out of the house for more than 12 hours, he is on the floor wrestling and playing with them until bedtime. He makes up games and imaginary friends and places for the kids. He's their best playmate.+of+IMG_0757.JPG)
He's always thinking about us and planning things for us to do together. Dick Van Dyke may have sang "It's a jolly holiday with Mary," but we think it's a jolly holiday with Daddy! He just makes everything better!+of+363.JPG)
So, it's no surprise that he won teacher of the year. How could he do anything half way? What's amazing is that he was nominated (I believe almost every year since he's been working at Oakcrest) by his peers, not the kids who actually reap the benefits of what a great teacher he is! His teaching philosophy is simple: CARE! He shows his kids respect because he genuinely cares about them and their success.+of+337.JPG)
When I called Joe to tell him he'd won, he barely changed his tone of voice. I think he was more embarrassed than anything! I, of course, was freaking out. I had enough excitement for the two of us! The boys and I were over the moon for him! We decorated the house and screamed and cheered when he walked in the door! Finny said "how was your 'gratulations Daddy?" I'm glad that the school officially recognized what a great teacher he is, even though it only earns him some pats on the back and apparently a great parking spot for a year! It's easy to become complacent in a job like teaching because you get paid the same no matter how well you do it. Of course, we all know that Joe doesn't do that particular job for the money or the glory.
Everyone has an idea of the person they will be when they grow up. Many times, we fall short of the goals we set out for ourselves. In Joe's case, he has the love and admiration of his wife and two sons, and the knowledge that he can do ANYTHING he sets his mind to. I hope that is enough to fulfill his dreams because he sure has fulfilled ours!
2 comments:
Wow, Joe! Congratulations! We are so proud of you, but always knew what a wonderful, dedicated, enthusiastic teacher (and person) you were all along! I'm glad you have been recognized for it! When we first heard, I thought it was Teacher of the Year for New Jersey and it wasn't hard for us to believe that it was true. I'm sure that will be the next step. And if the state doesn't recognize it, all that know and love you already have! You are a special person and we are lucky that you are a part of our family!
Love,
The Krechels
As a past student of Costal's, I got teary-eyed reading this, because it's all SO true. He was the best teacher I ever had, and I'm not just saying that because I'm on this blog. I think of Costal constantly. He's the type of teacher that makes learning enjoyable, easy, and most of all, memorable. I wish he taught every subject because I would request him over and over and over again. It's a crime for it to have taken this long for him to get recognized. Congratulations!
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