WEF Honors Ms. Beverly Elcewicz with the Dr. Kim Smith Excellence in Education Award
The Wakefield Educational Foundation hosted its 28th annual Celebration of Learning on Wednesday April 10th. WEF celebrated students, staff and volunteers who exemplify the core values of their schools and go above and beyond in their efforts and contributions to the Wakefield Public Schools. The final recognition of the evening was the surprise presentation of the Dr. Kim Smith Award, named for Wakefield’s highly esteemed Superintendent who retired in 2018 after a 35 year career as a teacher and an administrator in the Wakefield Public Schools.
Superintendent Dr. Doug Lyons payed tribute to the award recipient and along with Dr. Kim Smith and WEF leaders presented the award to Ms. Beverly Elcewicz “whose dedication, compassion and tireless commitment to serving students with disabilities has been an inspiration to all of us.” Ms. Elcewicz has shown commitment and dedication to the Wakefield Public Schools for 41 years. As a Special Education Teacher at the Galvin Middle School, she has made an impact in the lives of countless students and families. Superintendent Dr. Doug Lyons referred to Bev as “a source of hope, inspiration, and constant support” whose work “has transformed lives and shaped futures with love, patience, and empathy.” Dr. Lyons spoke of Bev’s commitment to individuals with disabilities. She is a “steadfast advocate for inclusion, championing the rights of students with disabilities and ensuring that every child has access to a quality education that meets their unique needs.”
Ms. Elcewicz was praised for her work outside of the classroom including leadership and oversight of the Extended School Year program and for her support of vocational opportunities for Middle and High School students and for her commitment to mentoring other teachers. “What sets Bev apart even more are the acts of service that we may not necessarily know about. Bev works quietly and tirelessly in the community to help support people in need. She has been a mentor to hundreds of teachers and paraprofessionals over the years encouraging them to follow their passions and continue in the work of public service to support our students”.
Lyons concluded, “Bev has created a safe and welcoming space where every student feels valued, respected, and empowered to learn and grow. Thank you, Bev for your extraordinary contributions to the Wakefield Public Schools”.
After Lyons spoke of Beverly’s many contributions to the Wakefield Public Schools, Dr. Kim Smith, for whom the award is named, come out on stage to personally present the award to Ms. Elcewicz. And to add to the surprise, the Elcewicz Family also appeared on stage to join in the celebration.
To support the grant process, WEF receives generous funding from key local business partners, private donors, and a series of annual fundraisers including: WEF’s Wakefield Public Schools Calendar showcasing student art; the S.T.A.R.S. program recognizing exemplary WPS staff; the Online Auction and the Adult Spelling Bee. WEF has awarded over $690,000 across the Wakefield Public Schools since 1989. Learn more by following WEF on Twitter or Facebook, or go to WEF01880.org.