Former Lenape Elementary Teacher Awarded State Honor
VFW District 28 Commander Aaron Kepple, District Auxiliary President Nancy Hoover and Ford City Post 4843 Commander Daryl Ray present former Lenape Elementary Teacher Steve Heffner with a “Citizenship Education Teacher of the Year” award last week.
by Jonathan Weaver
A retired Ford City teacher was recognized by the state Veterans of Foreign Wars before the end of the current school year.
Steve Heffner, who taught at both Shannock Valley and Lenape Elementary schools in the Armstrong School District, was named a “Citizenship Education Teacher of the Year.”
Heffner, who taught second, fourth, fifth and sixth grades during his career at Lenape Elementary before his retirement in August 2015, was honored with his plaque by Ford City Post 4843 officials and veterans
Heffner, 63, accepted the honor on behalf of his family – including the half-dozen that were at the recognition ceremony.
“This great honor was engineered by leadership by God and my great family legacy,” Heffner said at the beginning of his acceptance speech. “Teaching students was not only from the textbook, but also from the heart of passionate teachers. I remember experiencing this from former teachers – they just made me feel special about being in the classroom.”
A 1972 Ford City High graduate, Heffner remembered his classroom having an “Enter with a Smile” sign above his doorway – a mantra he wanted his students to carry throughout life as well.
“I loved teaching – I always felt like I had a responsibility for the future of a young person. It was more than just a job to me; it was a commitment,” Heffner said. “I want my kids to grow up to be somebody.
“I do miss it – I miss it for the kids who are the underdogs.”
Heffner said he still gets approached and complimented by his former students.
District Auxiliary President Nancy Hoover praised Heffner for his efforts.
“I’m just amazed what (teachers) do, how the kids come out – (the students) are so lucky to have teachers like (Heffner) that care and want to be involved,” Hoover said.
Heffner’s brother, Skip (a U.S. Air Force Veteran and retired Pennsylvania State Police trooper) is the oldest in the family, but called Steve his “big brother” and said that Steve “walks the extra mile.”
“The thing that people don’t realize is, as a teacher, Steven has shown me what it’s like to work with kids with a sense of devotion,” Skip said. “We take everything – and I think some of the newer generations – take everything for granted. One of the things I learned from Steven is you keep on going, that you have to persevere.
“Every time you turn around, (Steve’s) always doing something for someone else. Watching the things he does makes me proud to have him as my big brother.”
Skip said Steve has helped make him a better person and was “so proud” Steve won the award.
Heffner’s mother, aunt and niece also spoke highly of him.
Each year, three exceptional teachers are recognized by the State Veterans of
Foreign Wars Department - headquartered in Harrisburg- for their outstanding commitment to teaching Americanism and patriotism to their students.
State VFW winners advance to the national VFW level contest for possible additional honors.
In addition to Heffner, other winners from the state included Mercer Area Middle-High School teacher Michalee Christy and North Pocono High School world history teacher Cheri Gensel of Covington Township.
Through a news release, Pennsylvania VFW State Commander Glenn R. Umberger, Jr. recognized Heffner and the other two state winners.
“Each year, VFW posts across the state nominate local teachers to recognize their contributions toward citizenship education. The winners represent outstanding teachers who are being honored for their effective classroom programs that help build this nation’s future leaders,” stated Umberger, Jr. “Democracy works best when people of good character and with a strong commitment to freedom get involved. These teachers have created effective techniques that instill good civic and patriotic values in students.
The Pennsylvania VFW is proud to recognize them and to thank all teachers for helping students understand their role in preserving and building on freedom that has been protected by veterans.”
District 28 Commander Aaron Kepple and Daryl Ray called Heffner “a driving force” behind “Operation Bandage” – which has raised thousands of dollars for disabled veterans and also those in need during the past few years.
Kepple met Heffner through the effort and his son, Hunter – a Lenape Elementary student.
Heffner had three brothers that served in Vietnam, and one of them – Keith - paid the ultimate price with his life on March 2, 1971. Keith volunteered to serve in the U.S. Army after his high school graduation at 17 years old and died just three months into his service.
The PA Department of VFW consists of 85,000 members in 440 posts throughout the Commonwealth, which makes it the largest VFW state department.
Another plaque recognizing Heffner’s achievement is to be presented to Lenape Elementary.
Heffner’s brother, Skip, also congratulated his brother on his achievement and told stories about his brother during his teaching career and as a local DJ. Skip was one of three Heffner brothers that served during the Vietnam War.
Armstrong School District, Local News | jweaver June 1, 2016
By bob, June 1, 2016 @ 11:59 PM
Steve has always been very involved with voluneering his time for community events over the years. Not only does he teach the students good civic values in the classroom, but he shows real-life examples for students to see outside the classroom. Congratulations.
By mad-2010, June 6, 2016 @ 10:42 PM
Great job Steve.
You are right Bob. Not only did he teach good values in the classroom,he also showed real-life examples by volunteering himself.