Celebrating Dedication: EMS Faculty and Staff

On Monday, May 12th, Eastern Mennonite School hosted its annual Staff and Faculty Appreciation Picnic, a tradition honoring the dedication of those who inspire and educate our EMS community. This evening was not just about celebrating milestones but also about acknowledging the unwavering commitment and passion that our faculty and staff bring to their roles every single day. We gathered to recognize our colleagues for their years of service.

Each educator and staff member plays a vital role in shaping the lives of our students, and their influence extends far beyond the classroom.

Honoring Milestones:

• 5 Years of Service: Oascar Erazo, Merridy Gnagey, Mark Gornto, Karen Suderman, Gwen Lantz
• 10 Years of Service: Maria Lorcas
• 15 Years of Service: Julianne Ross
• 20 Years of Service: Maria Archer, Heidi Byler, Lynette Mast, Susan Stoltzfus
• 25 Years of Service: Jennifer Young
• 30 Years of Service: Kendal Bauman

Some quotes from the letters written and read aloud to them by their supervisors include,

“Oscar, Thank you for being a problem-solver extraordinaire.  Thank you for working hard to keep our students traveling safely, comfortably, and in clean buses.  As I like to remind people, buses don’t break down sitting in the parking lot, and for the age of our fleet, you have our vehicles out-performing their age.  Here’s to your hard work and service these last 5 years, you are truly a gift to this community.

“Merridy, You bring a calm and sensible presence to our faculty meetings, and your colleagues appreciate your contributions to our discussions.  You think before you speak and aren’t afraid to speak your mind. You have brought a wealth of experience to the 5th grade classroom, but you are also ready to learn new ways of helping our students learn. Thank you for treating each student with care, and for helping them to become advocates for their own needs…”

“Mark, you do not just get the job done, you do everything with purpose. Everything you do has heart in it. Grounded in your beliefs, you foster critical thinking and meaningful discussion with your students and colleagues. Your classroom is calm and focused, inviting students to pause and reflect. You establish consistent expectations and behavior norms that students respect…” 

“Karen, a champion of global Anabaptism, you believe in a theology embodied- a theology of compassion. This embodied compassion extends like a warm spirit that draws others near – like a hearth – where others are drawn to the peace of your warmth. Karen, for the five years of service at EMS, we are grateful for your hot coals that provide a comforting warmth in your classroom for many of our students…” 

“Gwen,  you have made the library a place students can’t wait to get to. You have inspired students to be a part of the Virginia Readers program; this has generated much excitement for reading. You published your first book during the school year; you modeled for our students that doing something new and challenging can be very satisfying. You have taught them that books are fun to read and can also teach us something. You have helped students to see themselves as readers, and experience the joy of getting absorbed in a good story…”

“Maria L, watching you conduct is like watching any expert in their profession – it’s enjoyable. It allows me to trust in your work and process, watching and learning, listening and observing how you go about what you do with such refined excellence…”

“Julianne, you are an expert guide. With grace and compassion you help lead others on an exploration of self-discovery, of perspectives and horizons that are broadened, and of experiential “get-your-hands-dirty” type learning.  You plan and help create opportunities for students that are truly life-long memories…” 

“Maria A, you are adored by your students, their parents, and your colleagues.  You create a welcoming and happy place of learning and work. Your ears listen, your mind thinks creatively, your mouth speaks wisdom and insight…”

“Heidi, You have always had great instincts about ways to create a positive community in your classroom and make sure every voice is heard.. I’ve appreciated you continuing to ask what a student needs, and finding ways to help them get those needs met. You know just the right balance between giving students choice and space and also making sure the boundaries are clear. This makes students feel safe in your classroom, and they know they can come to you with concerns…”

Lynette Mast (K), Heidi Byler (3rd), Maria Archer (EMES Principal), and Susan Stoltzfus (2nd) all celebrate 20 years with Eastern Mennonite School as the founding faculty of the Elementary School.

“Lynette, your colleagues admire your patience with our youngest students, and the ways you truly value what each student brings to the classroom. As we watch them grow during their first year of school, we see first hand that they have creative ideas, opinions, and can articulate their needs and concerns. Thank you for paying attention to the small decisions we make as a faculty, for asking good questions, and for helping us make sure what we decide matches who we want to be. Your attention to the details and the whole, make us a stronger team. And finally, thank you for always making everyone feel like you have all the time in the world for them…”

“Susan, Now as our second grade teacher, you continue to be creative with students, finding new and fun ways to learn. You started traditions there too, making turkey hats before Thanksgiving, Science Buddies with Kindergarten, and challenging students to create recycling projects. All of these excite our students and help them to understand how their learning fits into their daily lives. You developed the Word of the Week curriculum. This simple idea helps students to understand what it means to be a positive contributor to the classroom, and you have woven it into all aspects of classroom life…”

“Jennifer, we don’t just appreciate you because you get it done.  We appreciate who you are as a person.  You see when someone is having a hard day and give them the best hug.  You pause to listen to your colleagues when they need to process something.  You genuinely connect with students, making them feel like they have a place to belong here.  You are quite simply, a foundational pillar at EMS, and your mentorship and care for young people has brought much joy into their world, and the world of your colleagues…” 

“Kendall, You can envision new ways to create an environment where the outdoors can be exciting and challenging for our students, where students are learning to value being active and enjoy being outside, where play is more important than competition, and where they practice supporting each other in games. Thank you for thinking creatively, being a dependable colleague, and creating fun for your colleagues as well…” 

Each name represents countless hours of dedication and a steadfast commitment to nurturing young minds, fostering a love for learning, and creating a supportive environment for all through music, love of shared books and discovery, restorative processes and respectful interventions, coaching and kindness, dignity while learning to read and write, helping students push past their comfort zones through internships and experiential learning, learning the limits of their body and how to compete without harm. 

We also took the time to acknowledge those who will bid farewell to EMS at the end of the school year. With heartfelt gratitude, we also bid farewell to Joy Anderson, Susie Hardy, Nick Gardner, and Megan Holland. Their contributions have left an indelible mark on our community, and while they will be greatly missed, their legacy will continue to inspire.

Appreciating Departing Board Members:

We extend our deepest thanks to Amy Mumbauer and Susan Godshall for their years of service on our board. Their leadership and vision have been instrumental in guiding the school.

As we reflect on this special evening, we are reminded of the extraordinary community at Eastern Mennonite School. Our faculty and staff are the continuity of our institution, and it is an honor to celebrate their achievements and contributions. Here’s to many more years of inspiring education and meaningful connections!

Staff and Faculty gathered celebrate their longevity and commitment to EMS