Mez Chilcott is a 13WHAM Educator of the Week

Newark's Lincoln and Kelley Schools physical education teacher, Mary Ann 'Mez' Chilcott, is one of 13 WHAM-TV's New York Lottery's Educator of the Week award recipient.

The award is given to 25 teachers in the region each year. Jeffrey Starkweather, marketing director for the WHAM program, and a film crew, visited Lincoln School last week to film Chilcott in her gym classes for profiles that will run approximately 20 times on Channel 13 the week of February 4.

The video clips on Chilcott, that are expected to run between 5:45 and 6 p.m. each day, will also appear on the 13WHAM website after the profile has begun airing on television. Of the hundreds of nominations WHAM receives each year for the award, Starkweather said only 25 educators are selected each year based on the nominations received.

Chilcott, in her 21st year of teaching physical education in the school district, and who teaches grades K to 2 at Lincoln and third-grade and Adapted Class pupils at Kelley School, is thrilled to be the recipient of the award.

'The nicest part is the things that staff have said about the work I do and that means more to be than being on television,' she said.

Lincoln Principal Donna Buck said, 'Mez truly deserves to be recognized for her dedication and passion for her craft.

'Mez always approaches her teaching with a creative and positive outlook. Her wonderful sense of humor makes learning fun for students and keeps the climate in our building light-hearted. She always sees the potential in our students and taps that potential to increase self-esteem and achievement,' said Pat Schwab, a second grade teacher.

Henry Hann, interim superintendent said 'Mez's creativity in providing unique and engaging experiences for students in classes and at numerous special events is exceptional. She's devoted to students and is a very special educator. We are proud to have her as part of our school district.'

An Erie, Pennsylvania native, Chilcott is one of six children. She now makes her home in Lyons.

One of her sisters is also a physical education teacher; another teaches special education. Her oldest sister is a high school secretary and their mom volunteers in Kindergarten class.

'My sisters and I are teachers today because my mom was such a great teacher to us. I love working with the young because they are still wondering about things and the possibilities of things I can do with them are endless. They keep me young and questioning things,' Chilcott said.

Chilcott has degrees in both special education and physical education. She remembers thinking, while working at a summer assembly line job in an aluminum factory during her college years, about what she would really like to do and decided on teaching.

She once considered taking a teaching job overseas, but ultimately decided against it because she enjoys what she does here in Newark.

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