Leona Defanski
Position: Retiring ESE Support Facilitator
School: Dr. David L. Anderson Middle School
School District: Martin County School District
City, State: Stuart, FL
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Leona Defanski was nominated by her colleague, Diane McMurry.
The year was 1975. Steven Spielberg made his directorial debut with the movie Jaws. The Vietnam War ended, and the Kool-Aid Man made his debut on television. The Dow Jones Industrial average was at 858, and the jingle, “two all beef patties, special sauce, lettuce, cheese, pickles, onions on a sesame-seed bun” resonated in people’s heads. To top it off, Mrs. Defanski started her teaching career.
She began her teaching career in Georgetown, MA at a small middle/high school. It was in this setting that she developed close ties to her students, since it was a small town and she worked with her students for several years. It was also during this time that the Education for all Handicapped Children Act (what we now know as IDEA) was introduced. While this was a big shift in thinking for educators, Mrs. Defanski recalls, “we were doing it all along." This sentiment shows that she's a true educator at heart.
After taking a few years off with her children and spending a few years living abroad, Mrs. Defanski returned to the United States to teach for Martin County School District. She worked at the elementary level, the high school and the middle school. She found her niche working with students who have learning disabilities.
As. Mrs. Defanski plans her retirement at the end of the 2019-2020 school year, she will leave behind a legacy of lives she has touched. Her dedication to helping students who need the most attention has left an indelible mark. Perhaps it is best said by one of her current students, in a note of appreciation he shared.
"Thank you for been (sic) a great support to me, Mrs. Defanski," the student stated. "Thanks for always been (sic) there to listen to me and help me to think things through (especially those rough days). You have played a very big part in helping me to become a stronger, better and more confident person. I will always remember your love and kindness. Thanks a lot, Mrs. Defanski. You are the best!!"
Forty-one years of dedication to education is a remarkable accomplishment. To do it with style and grace, always thinking about the students, is even more remarkable. For all of her service, dedication, caring, and sharing, Mrs. Defanski has definitely been a LifeChanger to many people.
Mrs. Defanski, I am so happy I was able to work alongside you at AMS! You were an incredible teacher who was dedicated to building positive relationships with your students and the staff. You impacted so many lives along the way, you will be missed dearly. I wish you a retirement filled with abundant joy and laughter, you deserve it! Congratulations on this next chapter of your life!
You are an amazing colleague and friend!! We worked very little time together, but your remarkable dedication did not go unnoticed. You made the impossible look easy and always found a way to make it work for us all. Your optimism and your motivation will live in our hearts forever more. Best wishes and much health on your new journey! May each day be an adventure and may you enjoy every minute to the fullest!
Mrs. Defanski,
I still remember the day we met at WES. Thank you for always being so kind. I have no doubt that you are going to be miss.
Enjoy your retirement!
Love,
Jean Colon
Thank you for making me feel so welcomed when I arrived at AMS last year. I wish you the best on your retirement. They could not have nominated a better person for this award.
Mrs. Defanski, You were always a pleasure to work with and always strived to support your students and help them progress. I truly hope that you enjoy your retirement and your family in the years to come. Thank you for your dedication
Congratulations on your retirement! I know your care and dedication for helping students has made a big difference for them.
Congrats on your retirement and thank you for your years of service to the students of Martin County. Enjoy your well deserved retirement?
Congratulation on your retirement! Wishing you much happiness, good health, and success as you journey on to new beginnings!
Hi Mrs. Defanski,
As I type this message, I am tearing up! It has been great working with you these many years at Anderson. The assistance you have provided to the students at our school has been phenomenal. I always know they were in the best hands with you. I am going to miss seeing you around campus. Congratulations on your retirement! Enjoy!
Congratulations on your retirement, Leona! Thank you for your service & dedication. Wish you all the best!
Mrs. Defanski, you are truly special and all of your students have been blessed by knowing you! Happy Retirement!!!!
Mrs. Defanski,
It has been a pleasure to work alongside you and to serve our community together in this capacity. I cannot begin to think of the amount of lives you have changed, influenced, and jump-started on the right path. You are going to be sorely missed by the students at Anderson, our community, and the entire AMS family. May God bless you and your family with health to enjoy these days you have worked so hard to earn. May He bless you with a new passion which you find as exciting and fulfilling as this one. And may He bless you with the warmth of all the love of the people you served over the years; you deserve it for being a great teacher!
Over the past 10 plus years, we've been lunch mates and co-teachers, but most of all, we've been part of the Anderson Middle School family. It's a tight-knit family where we have gotten to know brothers, sisters, and cousins of former students, putting down those roots that connect us as more than just a student's English instructor.
Last year in the classroom we helped students with special needs achieve growth on the FSA, but I know for us both what really mattered was helping them believe in themselves. When you demonstrated love for a student, they knew it. You did that--gave them love and encouragement when they just wanted to give up. You made a difference in not only the year you "taught" them, but in their lives, and the lives of this community. That means you will never really be gone because the gift of education doesn't end, ever!
Mrs. Defanski,
It has been a pleasure to work alongside you and to serve our community together in this capacity. I cannot begin to think of the amount of lives you have changed, influenced, and jump-started on the right path. You are going to be sorely missed by the students at Anderson, our community, and the entire AMS family. May God bless you and your family with health to enjoy these days you have worked so hard to earn. May He bless you with a new passion which you find as exciting and fulfilling as this one. And may He bless you with the warmth of all the love of the people you served over the years; you deserve it for being a great teacher!
Leona,
Thanks so much for always lightening my mood between classes. Your humor and general demeanor are soothing to my soul. Even though we never had a chance to work in the same classroom, our students always showed me the appreciation they had for your compassion and comparing.
All the best to you in your retirement!
God bless and stay safe,
Borowick
Ever diligent with her work. Always conscientious of those involved. Leona has a huge caring heart and doubted over all of her students learning gains. I will miss her quick smile and warm presence!
You have made such a difference in so many students' lives. Thank you for always being a smiling, helpful face on campus. Even though we never got to work closely together, I always enjoyed seeing you at AMS and I know that you made such a big impact on our kids' success. I wish you nothing but relaxation and happiness in your retirement! Enjoy it, you earned it! We will miss you!
There will never be an FTE Survey period that I do not think you, Mrs. Defanski! Thank you for the laughs, and thank you for being such a wonderful human to all of your students. I will miss you so much!
Congratulations on the nomination for this award! With such an extensive career in education you are more than deserving of this prestigious award! Thank you for your dedication and commitment to education.
DEFANSKI!!!! I promised you a ticker tape parade for like four years and now its not going to happen! You are the best and I wish you a happy, peaceful, retirement. I might TP your house and blame it on your son to make up for the ticker tape parade, not sure yet.
Happy Retirement Mrs. Defanski!!! It was such a pleasure working by you and seeing all the smiles you put on others faces! Best wishes and enjoy your next adventures!
Leona, you have been such an amazing teacher, colleague, and friend! I truly enjoyed sharing an office with your for the years that we did. I will miss teaching you how to use the computer and where to find things you've saved. I will truly miss you dearly! Enjoy retirement! You deserve the best life has to offer! :)
Leona has been a very supportive and solid colleague to work with. She is one of the most dedicated and caring individuals I have ever met. She goes out of her way to make coworkers feel comfortable and support the students. She made me feel welcome and part of the AMS family since day one of me working there. I wish her a healthy and happy retirement with many peaceful and memorable moments to come. I will miss you Leona!!
Leona has always been a kind person to all. Dedicated to providing the best to all her students, she epitomizes the type of person children need today- fair, loving, funny, and most of all loyal to her school and to her profession. She will be missed by all of us. Thank you, Leona, for being my friend and for all the times you made me laugh, asked how I was doing, and for just saying hello. I will never forget you. Janine
Thank you for all your time and energy you have put in over 41 years. Just think how many lives you have touched! God Bless you and enjoy your days not following a bell schedule.
Thank you so much Leona for your unwaivering dedication to your student's. It was an honor to see it first hand. You will be sorely missed! Have a happy and healthy retirement!