Canfield students single out history teacher for kudos

By KRistine gill

kgill@vindy.com

canfield

Three students recognized teacher Ken Reel at the board of education meeting Wednesday night.

Reel, who teaches eighth-grade history at Canfield Village Middle School, has taught in the Canfield district 42 years.

“My life is completely changed after having Mr. Reel,” said ninth-grader Mary Elizabeth Monda.

Monda, along with friends Jacqueline and Anastasia Cook, began compiling names and stories from 600 current students who were taught by Reel, and assembled the stories into a book. The girls gave copies of the book to Reel, middle school Principal Jo Taylor, and President Barack Obama.

Reel is a big fan of the president, and the girls were hoping the book would prompt the president to visit him. Obama instead replied through a signed letter addressed to Reel, thanking him for his service.

“It’s been an honor to teach in Canfield,” said Reel, who also has coached the eighth-grade girls basketball team for 25 years.

In other business Wednesday, the board approved first readings to some bylaw and policy changes that would take effect sometime next month, and approved overnight field trips for the speech and debate team, the Italian Club and the wrestling team.

District Business Manager Richard Archer noted a free service available through the district’s participation in Energy Education, which is helping the district to conserve energy and save on utilities. The free service, called GreenQuest, tracks home and business energy usage. A link to the service can be found on the district’s home page at http://canfield.access-k12.org.