Pictured left to right: Sunrise Rotarian Paul Kulik; Westerville City Schools Chief Academic Officer Karen McClellan; Sunrise Rotarian Heather Linch; Service to Youth recipient Kimi Dodds; and Sunrise Rotarians Gretchen Kiehl, Diane Conley, and Don Denton.
Westerville City Schools District Math Specialist Kimi Dodds was surprised on February 28 when Sunrise Rotarians walked in on a meeting to name her as the monthly recipient of the Westerville Sunrise Rotary Diane J. Conley Service to Youth award. She received a plaque, a cake, and a gift card to Max & Erma’s restaurant.
As an educator for 30 years, Dodds has touched the lives of nearly every student in the Westerville Schools. Her leadership in mathematics inspires teachers to provide pupils with experiences to deepen their understanding and achieve to their fullest potential. She works to transition the district to Common Core Standards and has facilitated the creation of pacing guides to allow for consistency. Dodds holds high expectations for herself as well as teachers and students in Westerville. She models integrity and fulfills commitments to teachers in Westerville’s 14 elementaries. She can be found at football games, Fourth Friday events and working at Pointview late into the evening. Her daily schedule may take her into six or seven buildings in a single day, while supporting teachers with common assessments and responding quickly to emails. She serves on several district committees and provides teachers with instructional materials and assessments without ever expecting praise or recognition. The district coaching team said they cannot think of anyone more deserving of the Service to Youth award. “Kimi exemplifies service to the Westerville community on a daily basis,” said the Sunrise Rotarians.
Rotary Sunrise instituted Service to Youth awards two years ago to recognize exceptional school employees who have made a special contribution to youth; have served as a positive role model for young people; and have demonstrated service above and beyond the call of duty in performing their job responsibilities. The award is named in honor of Sunrise Rotarian Diane Conley, retired Chief of Academic Affairs for Westerville City Schools.