Bowling Green Kiwanis has introduced its Inspirational Educator Award and will honor its first winners in
February.
Each year, with this being the first, three outstanding educators will be nominated by their peers and
chosen by a selection committee made up of members of BG Kiwanis.
One honoree will be chosen from preschool to grade 5, grades 6-9 and grades 9-12.
Inaugural award winners are Danielle Carrasquillo, elementary; Patti Rish, middle school; and Cynthia
Maas, high school.
They will be the honored guest speakers at a Kiwanis luncheon on Feb. 6, 13 and 20, respectively.
February is Education Month for the Kiwanis.
Each teacher will be given BG Downtown Dollars and his/her name will be placed on a plaque that will be
posted in the Wood County District Public Library.
The award committee received 39 nominees for PK-6, 19 from the middle school and 17 from the high school.

"All the nominees got glowing descriptions," said Alice Calderonello, a member of the selection
committee.
Carrasquillo’s nomination stated that "she demonstrates all the characteristics (asked for on the
nomination) on a daily basis," "is a joy to work with and every child learns and is motivated
to keep learning."
"She works with each student to achieve their highest potential and works to make sure her kids have
what they need."
She also spends her own money on books and supplies as a third-grade teacher at Conneaut.
Rish works with all teachers to develop lessons and units, her nomination stated.
She encourages her students to read and develop their research skills and "goes above and beyond in
collaborating with teachers and teaching students."
She is the media specialist at the junior high.
"Where would BGHS be without this nominee?" Maas’ nomination stated. "She is the heart of
what it means to be a caring teacher and goes beyond what is expected to make students and staff feel
safe and important."
She is the family and consumer sciences teacher at the high school.
Calderonello pointed out that so many of the Kiwanis Club members went to Bowling Green schools, "we
wanted to do something to honor them."
The school district has contributed money for the purchase of BG Downtown Dollars and other award
partners include the BG Chamber of Commerce, Downtown BG, BG PTO, the library and the Copy Shop, which
will provide the plaque and engraved plates.