From Rose Marie Stiehl

April 17, 2012

Paula Mehl and Karen Rummler, who have worked together in the Middletown City Schools’ Adult Education program, will be named Ohio Sharon Davis Stubbs Adult Education Teacher of the Year winners at a luncheon at the Embassy Suites Hotel in Columbus on April 20.

For the first time in the history of the award, two teachers have been chosen as Ohio Adult Education Teachers of the Year by Ohio Association of Adult and Continuing Education. Adult Education Principal Rose Marie Stiehl nominated the two for the coveted award saying, “It is impossible to separate two dedicated, remarkable teachers’ contributions to Adult Education and nominate only one of them…”

“Paula Mehl (25 years) and Karen Rummler (28 years) represent fifty-three years in Adult Education. Their adaptability and willingness to embrace any challenge has been demonstrated repeatedly. Their efforts have brought phenomenal success to their individual students and the Middletown City Schools’ program.“

Paula Mehl began as a teacher in the Teenage Parent Program for dropouts and then moved to teach in the ABLE program and has worked at eight different sites. During her teaching years she has also worked on the Ohio committee to design the original ABLE standards, created a local Stackable Certificate Curriculum, a program for Jobs and Family Services organization and an orientation/registration format called ‘First Step’ and many other valuable additions to the adult program.

Karen Rummler began as a volunteer and then was hired as an English as a Second Language (ESOL) teacher for five years. She transitioned to GED preparation work at the city jail. She also has worked at eight different centers. She currently is based at Atrium Medical Center where she works with almost 200 students each year. Her students learn skills making them ready for training in health careers. Rummler developed a free Medical Terminology program with the hospital. She also serves on the Ohio Technology Committee.

According to Stiehl, “Paula Mehl and Karen Rummler truly are exceptional role models, a credit to our profession, and the epitome of outstanding Adult Educators.”

Middletown City Schools’ Adult Education program, serving 1500, consistently receives high rankings from the Ohio Board of Regents and will be graduating 500 students earning an Ohio High School Equivalency Certificate , a GED, this spring.