Westlake, Bay residents honored with awards from Connecting for Kids

Connecting for Kids will honor five individuals who have helped fulfill the organization’s mission to provide education and support to families with concerns about their child at its annual fundraiser on Feb. 23. Among the five honorees are two from Bay Village and Westlake:

• Educator/Professional of the Year: Natalie Tesar of Bay Village.
• Board Member of the Year: Kim Riley of Westlake

Educator/Professional of the Year: Natalie Tesar

As a second-grade teacher and Building Advisory Team member at Eastview Elementary School in Avon Lake, Natalie Tesar has quickly proven to be one of the building’s strongest educators and leaders. She has excelled in the classroom and in all roles presented to her. This devotion and hard work is the reason her students perform so well. She is student-centered, plans instruction to meet her students’ individual needs and uses technology to engage and empower her students.

Tesar always goes above and beyond for her students. She provides them with materials they need for class, shows them that she cares, and finds the positives in every student she has. Tesar displays all the professional and personal traits that make her a quality educator. She is professional, caring, builds strong relationships with others, and remains calm under stressful circumstances.

Board Member of the Year: Kim Riley

Kim Riley’s dedication to the mission of Connecting for Kids is exemplified in her multiple accomplishments on the board of directors. She helped to develop the internal organizational structure needed for growth.

Riley also identified the need for a moderate-to-severe disabilities group of families within Connecting for Kids and volunteered her time to help lead the group. She personally mentored most of the initial members and helped them through the unique challenges of parenting a child with more severe needs. The group has more than 100 members, and it has become a tangible and permanent part of the Connecting for Kids culture. Finally, Riley is never afraid to challenge a plan or offer concerns about a proposal’s feasibility. This willingness to speak up and share ideas about how to help families has enabled Connecting for Kids to grow.

Tickets for the 2018 Connecting for Kids Annual Fundraiser are $65 per person which includes heavy appetizers, drinks, dessert and entertainment. The event will be held at Ahern Catering & Banquet Center, 726 Avon Belden Road, Avon Lake. The festivities kick off at 6:30 p.m. For more information or to reserve a ticket, visit connectingforkids.org/2018Fundraiser, email info@connectingforkids.org or call 440-250-5563.