Eleanor Z. Siedschlag has been named the 2016 inductee into Lexington School District Two’s Heroes and Heroines Society, the district’s most prestigious award.  Mrs. Siedschlag was in Lexington Two for 28 years and retired in 2011 from Taylor Elementary School.

A reception in her honor will be held at 6:30 p.m. on Thursday, Oct. 20, at Lexington School District Two’s District Education Center and she will be recognized prior to the meeting of the Board of Trustees at 7 p.m.

The Heroes and Heroines Society was started in 1990 to recognize retired teachers who dedicated their lives to outstanding service in the classroom/guidance or media center.  Mrs. Siedschlag is the 32^nd honoree to be chosen by the employees as representing the “best of the best” to have taught in Lexington Two schools.

Her peers from Taylor said, “Eleanor Siedschlag was devoted to the school, students and staff. She was an excellent teacher.  She served as a mentor to many less experienced teachers.  The phrase, “Ask Eleanor,” was heard often.  She was not only a great team leader but also a great team member who worked well with everyone.

She always had high expectations for students and provided for their educational needs.  She worked with struggling students after hours, met with parents regularly, sought ideas from other educators and continued her education through graduate school and professional learning opportunities.

She was always open to new learning.  In addition to educational needs, she knew how important enrichment experiences are for students.  She started an after-school Drama Club that performed each year.   She also offered an Etiquette Club which focused on manners and communication skills.  This culminated with a formal family dinner where teachers served as waitresses.

Eleanor also took care of her students other needs.   She baked a birthday cake for every student in her class.  She knew that many of them would not have a special cake.  She was concerned about students’ home situations and helped in any way she could.  Often she enlisted the help of her friends and church in this mission.  Even today, she is caring for the needs of a family of one of her former 1st graders who just graduated from high school.

She regularly took care of the faculty and staff, facilitating early morning prayer groups for seriously ill faculty members, sharing her delicious cooking, listening to and counseling others.  Since retirement, Eleanor continues to serve children by teaching 4 year old Kindergarten at Holland Avenue Baptist Church.