Governor Wolf Guidance Counselor Feted

Jean Donegan Vrabel, a guidance counselor at Governor Wolf Elementary School, was named winner of the 2012 Howard L. Klopp Exemplary Teacher Award by the Education Department of Cedar Crest College.

Vrabel was presented with the award during an assembly program at Governor Wolf School on Friday.

Vrabel was nominated for this prestigious honor by Jodi Sponchiado, Ph.D., principal at Governor Wolf School.

In the letter of nomination, Sponchiado said: “Mrs. Vrabel is the type of educator who truly believes in the education of everyone—students, parents, and her colleagues. She is committed to the education of the whole child, including their health and well-being outside of the educational setting.”

The nomination was accompanied by letters of support from parents and other teachers in the school. 

“It was a wonderful surprise. It’s nice to get recognized for something you truly enjoy doing,” said Vrabel, who attended kindergarten at Governor Wolf. “The kids are wonderful and to get to see them every day is great. They are delighted with the littlest and most unlikely things.”

The Howard L. Klopp Exemplary Teacher Award is presented in memory of Howard L. Klopp, a former education professor and chair of the education department at Cedar Crest. Teachers in elementary, middle and secondary schools in Lehigh and Northampton counties are eligible.