Educator Hall of Fame Induction

Educator Hall of Fame Induction
Posted on 02/15/2023

Crestview inducted it’s ninth class into the Crestview Educator Hall of Fame at the boys’ basketball game on Saturday, February 11th between the junior varsity and varsity contests. Inductees included Mrs. Mary Lautzenheiser (posthumously), Mrs. Carole Simmons-Macklin, Mr. Joseph Plas and Mrs. Nancy Speelman.


Mrs. Mary Lautzenheiser began teaching in 1967 and came to Crestview South in 1973. She was passionate about helping children learn and was referred to as “Mrs. Lotsa Homework” affectionately by her students. She had a high standard of discipline and even gave out detention to her own granddaughters when needed. Mrs. Lautzenheiser taught summer school, worked as an intervention teacher, organized field trips, and followed her students in high school sports. She was thrilled to see a boys’ basketball state championship in the last year of her life in 2014. She was awarded “Who’s Who Among America’s Teachers” in 2004.


Mrs. Lautzenheiser retired in 2012 after 39 years of service to Crestview and 45 years as an educator.


Mrs. Carole Simmons-Macklin taught fine arts in Indiana, Virginia, and Ohio for 43 years with 31 of those being at Crestview. She also served as an adjunct professor at Wright State University, Lake Campus for 21 years. Mrs. Simmons-Macklin was known for treating every student as though they were her own. She created a safe classroom environment and doled out hugs when someone was having a tough day. Her encouragement led students to experiment and express themselves through art they were proud to create. In her time at Crestview, Mrs. Simmons-Macklin helped plan the Spring Rendezvous, a huge cross-curricular learning experience in the elementary.


Mrs. Simmons-Macklin retired in 2007 after 31 years of teaching K-8 art at Crestview.


Mr. Joseph Plas joined the Crestview family in 1978 initially teaching the hearing impaired classes. He later took on the roles of fourth grade teacher and school counselor. Mr. Plas was the founder of the “Indian Days/Spring Rendezvous” elementary cross-curricular event in 1986. Through this project, students learned about Native American and pioneer lifestyles through art, music, dance, food and other cultural aspects. He was recognized as teacher of the year in 2006. 


Mr. Plas retired from Crestview after 32 years of service and 35 overall years of teaching.


Mrs. Nancy Speelman began her teaching career at Crestview in 1965. She taught high school American Government and girls’ health/PE classes. After stepping away to raise a family, she returned in the junior high teaching history and PE and later returned to the high school as an intervention specialist. Mrs. Speelman held her students to high expectations, and her students respected and loved her for it. Mrs. Speelman was on the cutting edge of “inclusion” as it revolutionized education at the time. Her students reached high levels of learning because of her willingness to be an active team teacher in the classroom. In addition to her classroom contributions, she organized the girls’ athletic association intramural program when girls’ sports were recognized by the OHSAA. She coached several levels of volleyball and girls’ basketball, and led the volleyball program to a state final four appearance in 1991. 


Mrs. Speelman served the Crestview district for 42 years before her retirement.


The Crestview Educator Hall of Fame inducts members on a yearly basis through a nomination process and committee evaluation. A complete list of hall of fame members can be found on the Crestview website along with a nomination form.

 

For more pictures from that night head over to our Facebook page. https://www.facebook.com/CrestviewLocalSchools