Throughout September, Indian Lake Central School has been focusing on the character education trait of respect. We are working to build a socially and emotionally strong culture that encourages both students and staff to uphold the highest standards of character.
This month, we asked students to identify a staff member who consistently goes above and beyond to show respect—not just to students, but to colleagues and the entire ILCS community.
Respect is more than just a word. It means showing genuine care and consideration for others and ourselves. It’s about treating everyone with kindness and fairness, listening to different opinions without judgment, and appreciating the unique backgrounds and perspectives each person brings. It also means being thoughtful in your words and actions, and fostering a positive, welcoming environment where everyone feels valued and heard.
The Middle School students selected Mr. Ray Hoag, their Physical Education teacher, for his outstanding display of respect and care. Here’s what they had to say about him:
'Mr. Hoag makes everyone laugh, even when they’re in a bad mood. He listens when you have something important to say, and he always goes out of his way to check on students and make sure they’re okay. If someone’s having a tough day, he’s there with open ears and no judgment.'
Another student shared, 'I picked Mr. Hoag because he always finds a way to help people and is an amazing coach. He listens when you need to talk and is really good at sports. That’s why I chose him.'
These reflections speak volumes about the impact Mr. Hoag has on his students, not just as a teacher and coach, but as a trusted mentor and positive influence in their lives.
The High School students selected Mrs. Wolfe, their librarian, as someone who truly embodies the character trait of respect. Here’s why they chose her:
'Mrs. Wolfe goes out of her way every morning to make sure others have a great day, even when she’s not having the best day herself. She shows respect by trusting students with tasks, and she’s always ready to help wherever she’s needed.'
Another student shared, 'Mrs. Wolfe is kind, caring, and always puts others before herself. She respects everyone’s opinions and treats people the way she would like to be treated.'
Students also noted how much Mrs. Wolfe’s positive attitude impacts the ILCS community: 'She’s always sharing her smile, her positivity, and her kindness. I never go a morning without hearing “Good morning, Little Monster!” from her. She truly makes my day brighter.'
'She’s always nice, and she tries her best to help and uplift everyone’s mood,' one student reflected.
It’s clear that Mrs. Wolfe’s compassion and positive energy make a lasting impression on her students and help create a welcoming and respectful environment at ILCS.
While Mr. Hoag and Mrs. Wolfe received the most votes from students, we can’t overlook the incredible things students had to say about the entire ILCS staff. Their words highlight just how much our teachers and staff impact our school community every day. The positive feedback and appreciation shared by the students truly showcase the respect and admiration they have for the adults who guide and support them. We’re excited to share these thoughtful reflections and celebrate the dedication of all ILCS staff members!
Mr. Sean Hall - Architecture & Construction Teacher
This is what Middle School students had to say: “Last year he always said my stuff was good, even though I thought it was bad.” This is what High School Students had to say: “Mr. Hall is just a respectful person and he always shows you respect and treats you the same way every day. He doesn’t get mad and he is always joking and makes sure we are all OK.”
Mr. Ray Hoag - Physical Education Teacher
This is what High School students had to say: “He is always there for anyone who need to talk or just in general help.i know he is always there to talk with me when I need someone to talk to” “Mr. Hoag makes connections with students and respects us, he notices our off days and always offers to talk if we need it.” “My personal choice for respect in the ILCS community is Mr. Hoag because he is very respectful to others and tries to understand people and be their friend and help other people smile when they are down, I like Mr. Hoag because he is my friend and someone to talk to.”
Mr. Librett - Special Education Teacher
This is what High School students had to say: “He always says hi to people in the hallways, helps with classes, and is kind to everyone.” “He is always happy to be here with a smile.”
Mr. Peet - Physical Education Teacher
This is what High School students had to say: “He is always in a good mood and he just always has a smile on his face and just goes with the flow of things. I've never seen either of these teachers mad or upset about anything; they just laugh it off and move on. They ask if we are OK, they greet me every time I see them, and always understand the kids.” “He is really kind and he motivates me to do hard things. He helps me the most in weight training.” “Mr. Peet because he is cool and kind and helps me out a lot with lots of stuff. He also is very respectful. He also has a really cool haircut.” “I choose Dr. Peet because he helps me with a lot of stuff. He is also very cool and shows lots of respect.” “I choose Mr. Peet because he shows respect when talking by letting you finish your sentence before answering.”
Mr. McCauliffe - Social Studies Teacher
This is what High school Students had to say: “Mr. McCauliffe also is a really respectful teacher, in my opinion I would want him to become principal because he treats every kid with respect and he is always laughing and having a good time with the kids. He treats us like we are human and not just kids that he's teaching. He has his own relationship with every kid and each kid has a different story about him.” “He listens to what everyone has to say, he understands people more than everyone else does. He respects other people's opinions. And he helps other people.” “Mr. McCauliffe, I feel treats everyone the same. He tries to teach in ways that the kids will learn and want to learn in. The more you respect him, the more he will respect you. He is always very upbeat and cheerful. He's also very real, he gives it to us straight up and I personally respect him for that”
Mr. Tracey - Bus Driver
This is what High School students had to say: “He shows Respect in the ILCS community by always being there when you need someone, he is always willing to do anything and drives back and forth every day 2 times a day to BOCES just for the students.” “Always a great driver and treats everyone with respect.”
Mrs. Bennett - Math Teacher
This is what High School students had to say: “Helps me with math I don’t understand.” “Very composed, nice to students and kind.” “Always so calm and respectful to her students.” “Takes great time and effort in school related activities and students.”
Mrs. Brusso - Teaching Assistant
This is what High School students had to say: “She walks around the building helping students in other people's classrooms.”
Mrs. Hoag - Reading Specialist
This is what High School students had to say: “She’s always so kind to everyone and is always there to talk to!”
Mrs. Longacker - Guidance Counselor
This is what High School students had to say: “She's always in a good mood and she is always there when you need someone to talk to.”
Mrs. West - English Teacher
This is what High School students had to say: “They're very nice to everyone, and they listen to everyone.”
Mrs. Smith - Pre-K Teacher:
This is what High School students had to say: “Works to understand you more.”
Madame Hinckley - French Teacher:
This is what High School students had to say: “Madame is always looking out for everybody, with her clubs and her genuine consideration for other people, especially students. Madame gives me rides to school events that otherwise I would not be able to attend, and always hears people out. She shows empathy and is always fair to everyone, which is why I think she is the teacher that stands out.” “She is very kind and helpful. She's running the Student Council and Travel club, which I respect a lot even if I'm only in Student Council. She is always happy to assist and her class is fun.”
Mr. MacNeal - Math Teacher
This is what Middle School students had to say: “He always makes sure everyone knows what they are doing and makes sure they are okay whatever they do.” “He is super nice.” “He is fun.”
Mr. Seymour - Head Mechanic
This is what Middle School students had to say: “He works hard every day to make sure that our buses and vans are safe for transportation routes. He also cleans up after the messy kids and says hello to every kid that he sees either in the halls or on the bus.”
Mr. Spring - Senior Custodian/Bus Driver
This is what Middle School students had to say: “He is kind and cool.”
Mr. Thompson - Bus Driver
This is what Middle School students had to say: “He always made me feel safe.”
Mrs. Brown - 2nd Grade Teacher
This is what Middle School students had to say: “Mrs.Brown showed respect by caring about her students and she was a nice 2nd grade teacher.”
Mrs. Scofield - English Teacher
This is what Middle School students had to say: “She shows respect because she is always nice and helpful and respects everybody by making them realize how important it is to include everyone when doing something.” “Mrs. Scofield always puts a lot of thought into everyday tasks for us to do and makes sure we are all respected. I feel like everyday she makes everyone happy and puts a smile on everyone's face.”
Mrs. Wolfe- Librarian
This is what Middle School students had to say: “One of Mrs. Wolfe's top priorities is respect, which you can tell almost immediately. She goes out of her way to make every student feel comfortable and heard, and always shows respect, even if it's not given to her. Even when saying no, she's always respectful towards everybody.” “Makes it so everybody feels welcome and good for the day because she's so kind.”
Ms. Moran - 5th Grade Teacher
This is what Middle School students had to say: “Ms.Moran is a smart and funny person and she helps our kids. Ms.Moran teaches kids math,respect,and science. Ms.Moran helps out teachers and students.”
Ms. Stephan- Science Teacher
This is what Middle School students had to say: “Every single day she asks students and teachers how their weekend was and how their day is going and she is always very kind. She is also full of energy and is super fun to be around. Overall she is a very good person.” “She respects everybody in a very nice way and includes everybody in the fun. She is a very fun teacher because she teaches science in a fun way. Overall, she is a 10/10 teacher.” “Ms. Stephan is very kind and forgiving.” “She is very nice and always tells people to treat people nicely and with respect.” This is what High School students had to say: “She is cool.”
In October, we’ll be focusing on the character education trait of courage! We’re eager to explore how courage shows up in our school community, from standing up for what’s right to trying new things even when they’re challenging. We can’t wait to hear the inspiring insights and stories that students will share next month as we continue to celebrate and grow together!