Staff report

NILES — Nearly three dozen Valley teachers will be honored with a red marble apple on a pedestal for being named Mahoning Valley Educators of the Year.

The awards will be presented at an inaugural dinner Tuesday at the Eastwood Event Centre in Niles. The honors dinner was created by Josh MacMillan — who has taught visual arts at Hubbard High School for more than 20 years — to highlight the best educators in the Mahoning Valley who dedicate their lives to educating our area’s children.

The Youngstown / Warren Regional Chamber is sponsoring the event and acting as fiscal agent.

“This event shines a light on the wonderful work teachers across the Mahoning Valley do day in and day out to educate and uplift our students,” MacMillan said in a news release announcing the awards. “It’s about appreciating those who don’t go out seeking recognition, but who dedicate themselves to giving each and every child a chance to succeed.”

The awards were open to teachers in Mahoning, Trumbull and Columbiana counties and each district has one winner, including:

• Carli Cramer — Austintown Local School District

• Evelyn Stanton — Boardman Local Schools

• Ryan Marino — Brookfield Local Schools

• Sabrina Eaton — Canfield Local School District

• Jennifer Policy — Cardinal Mooney High School

• Carolyn Brown — Champion Local School District

• Mandy Moore — Columbiana Exempted Village School District

• Sandy Walker — East Palestine School District

• Gina Kingston, Educational Service Center of Eastern Ohio

• Lorraine Yacovone, Howland Local School District

• Kelli Komlanc, Hubbard Exempted Village School District

• Kelly Williams, Jackson-Milton School Local District

• Regina Helmick, LaBrae Local School District

• Jennifer McAllister, Lakeview Local School District

• Randy Rodik, Leetonia Exempted Village School District

• Mindy Moyer, Lordstown Local School District

• Donna Greer, Mahoning County Career & Technical Center

• Ethan Gross, Newton Falls Exempted Village School District

• Gaye Breegle, Niles City School District

• Rick DiNunzio, Poland Local School District

• Leann Laure, Sebring Local School District

• Diane Krumpak, South Range Local School District

• Cheri Louttit, Springfield Local School District

• Irene Rivera, Struthers City School District

• Meghan Mock, Trumbull Career and Technical Center

• Amy White, United Local School District

• Staci Raab, Ursuline High School

• Brooke DeJulia, Warren John F. Kennedy

• Megan Ghizzoni, Weathersfield Local School District

• Abbie Millard, West Branch Local Schools

• Laura Baird, Western Reserve Local School District

• Melissa Smith, Youngstown Community School

In addition, five special awards will be given that evening:

• Educator of the Year

• Secondary Educator of the Year — For a teacher in grades seven to 12

• Elementary Educator of the Year – For a teacher in grades kindergarten to six

• Golden Educator of the Year — For a teacher with at least 20 years of teaching experience

• Young Educator of the Year — For a teacher with no more than 10 years of teaching experience

“The overwhelming majority of people can point to a teacher who had a significant impact on their lives — whether by guiding them toward a career, supporting them during a difficult time, or giving them the belief in themselves that no one else had until they walked into that teacher’s classroom,” MacMillan said in announcing the program. “In my teaching career, I cannot recall an event that truly showcased why education should be a cornerstone of our communities. A great place to start would be to spotlight the very best in education and highlight the incredible work these teachers do for our children every day.”