Teacher of gifted pupils is honored

LISBON -- Although she has been teaching gifted pupils in Columbiana County for more than 10 years, being named Teacher of the Year for Region 12 of the Ohio Association for Gifted Children came as quite a surprise to Jean Metzger.
Metzger received her award at a recent ceremony in Columbus. First, however, she was notified of the honor by mail at her Lisbon office.
"I saw the envelope and thought, 'What's this?'" she said. "I read the first two sentences and dropped the letter on the floor. Then I cried."
Metzger teaches gifted pupils at Leetonia and East Palestine. She was nominated by Eleanor Allison and Judy Herron, her mentors in the gifted and talented program at Columbiana County Educational Service Center.
Allison said they nominated Metzger because she is "a very creative person who works hard. She has a master's degree and she is always taking continuing education classes. She is always looking to do whatever she can to be a better teacher."
Criteria used in judging are personal and professional qualities, unusual leadership, pioneering ideas in gifted education and overall exceptional performance in the field.
Region 12 of the Ohio Association for Gifted Children covers programs for gifted and talented pupils in Columbiana, Mahoning and Trumbull counties.