Times Observer photo by Brian Ferry Warren/Forest Pennsylvania Association of School Retirees Representative Gloria Werner presents Lauretta Woodson Awards to (left) Diane Swartz and (right) Pam Falber during a ceremony Tuesday at the Warren County Career Center.

Two Warren County School District educators were recognized Tuesday by the Warren Forest Chapter of the Pennsylvania Association of School Retirees (PASR).

“Each year we are pleased to present the Lauretta Woodson Award,” PASR’s Gloria Werner said. “Lauretta Woodson started her career as a high school English teacher and moved on to teach at Temple University. After her retirement in 1984, she became very active in PASR. Upon her death, she left a fund for this award.”

“The purpose of this award is to recognize one educator and one support professional each year who have exhibited creativity, initiative, and productivity relative to the learning process and growth of children,” Werner said.

On Tuesday, she presented the awards to support professional Pam Falber and teacher Diane Swartz at a celebration at Warren County Career Center.

“Pam has been described as having a passion for encouraging students to explore their potential and be their best,” Werner said. “She goes above and beyond to help the students she works with be successful. She provides a safe, nurturing environment for students to exhibit creativity. Her passion for helping the students is evident every day here at the career center as well as after school at the Warren Area Student Union.”

“Diane has the distinction of having the most nominations for one person since I have been doing educational support for PASR,” Werner said. “She has worked in many areas of the district. I had the honor of working with Diane when she was teaching family and consumer science. She has worked in the health and medical assisting program since its inception and has built it into a very popular program.”

“Words used to describe Diane are ‘once in a lifetime teacher,’ ‘going above and beyond,’ ‘having a positive impact on the students’ lives,’ and ‘showing concern for her students,'” she said. “She places students in local business situations which helps them gain valuable experience. Students and peers are grateful to learn from her and students return to thank her for her help.”

During the recognition ceremony, career center and district personnel recognized Swartz and Falber with engraved glass retirement plaques, made in the career center pre-engineering class, and gifts.