FARMINGDALE, N.Y., July 8, 2016 /PRNewswire/ -- Isyjean P. Korenek of Rockdale, Texas, has recently been recognized by Strathmore's Who's Who as Professional of the Year 2016 for her outstanding contributions and achievements in the field of Reading and Language Education. She has also been inducted into the Top Female Executives and Leaders program. She will continue her rise to prominence in 2017 as well, following the recent announcement of her acceptance as a Lifetime Roundtable Member, an extremely coveted position available to only a small handful of Roundtable mainstays. Isyjean Korenek is being recognized with a special appearance in Times Square, NYC on Friday, June 23, 2016, where she will appear on the world renowned digital billboards. She is also preparing for her return to Strathmore Online Radio, following her successful podCASt debut several years ago. She has been invited back based on her credentials and the strength of her original program.
Ms. Korenek has a 35+ year career in education beginning as an employee of the Rockdale ISD in August, 1980. She received her B.S. in Elementary Education from the University of Texas at Austin. Her first teaching assignment was with Thorndale ISD which lasted 3 years. From there she was transferred to the Mary Lee School Campus where she stayed for 5 years until 1988. Ms. Korenek's expertise is in General Elementary Education and Elementary Speech (grades 1 through 8), as well as Generic Special Education, Emotionally Disturbed and/or Behavioral Disordered, and Mentally Retarded Special Education (grades 1 through 12). Aside from in-school teaching, she also taught homebound students from the Rockdale High and Junior High Schools in their homes, since they were unable to attend clasSES on campus. Her present and past titles include: Resource Teacher -- grades 1 through 12 (3 years) and grades 3 through 5 (5 years); Residential Treatment School Teacher -- grades 2 through 12 (6 years); Children's Psychiatric Hospital Summer School Teacher of the Behavior Disordered / Emotionally Disturbed -- grades 3 through 5 (1 summer); Homebound Teacher --grades 3 through 12 (2 years); 4th-Grade Teacher (8 years); Reading Interventionist -- grades 3 -- 5 (past 15 years); UIL Coordinator for Cameron Elementary and Ben Milam Elementary Schools (past 15 years).
Her special trainings include: Shirley Crook Workshops; Dr. Ruby Payne Workshops; New Jersey Writing Project Texas Three-Week Summer Institute; NJWPT "Reading Week"; NJWPT "Grammar Week"; NJWT "Poetry Week"; 6 + 1 Writing Process Workshops; Tribes TLC Training Workshops; Project Mustard Seed Three-Week Academy; Appelbaum Training Institute's "How to Handle the Hard to Handle Student" Workshop; Process Writing Workshops; Creative Education Institute Workshops; Get Ready, Get Set, Get Prepared the (Texas) TAKS Reading Test Workshops -- Presented by Cheryl Cox Educational Consultants; TAKS Holistic Writing Scoring Trainings; Write Traits Course Workshop; "Under the Big Top" How to Incorporate Writing Into The Reading Center Schedule Workshop; Cambium Expanded Learning Groups' Voyager Sopris Learning and Explore Learning Institutes; Pearson Education, Inc.'s AIMSweb Training Course; Differentiated Instruction for All Learners: "Strategies that Work" Training (presented by Stetson & Associates); 3rd-Grade Texas Reading Academy; 4th-Grade Texas Reading Academy; 5th-Grade Texas Reading Academy; Getting Started With Balanced Literacy & Guided Reading Workshop; numerous "Reading First" Training Workshops; Best Practices in Instruction for English Language Learners Workshops; ELA Alignment Training Workshop; Enhanced Instruction for English Language Learners – SheLTEred Instruction Workshop; Overview of the English Language Proficiency Standards (ELPS) Workshop; Linguistic Diversity and Second Language Development Workshop; Title III, ELL Summer Institutes (5 years); Destination Imagination's "Coaching and Judging Creative Problem Solving" Trainings; WILSon Language Training Academy's Just Words and Fundations workshops; Technology Essentials for Educators Training; Project Share Overview & ePortfolio Trainings; Instructional Technology Academy: Project Based Learning, Flipped Classroom, & Web 2.0 Workshop; Instructional Technology Session – It's a Web 2.0 World workshop; Introduction to iPad Texas Virtual Learning Center Course; Instructional Technology iPads Workshop; SMART Training Workshop for SMART Board TM interactive whiteboards; Summer Technology Academies (4 years); Understanding the Importance of Non-Verbal Communication Workshop; Advanced Academic Services G/T Institutes (yearly); Kagan Structures for Cooperative Learning & Active Engagement Workshops; The Brain Research & Instruction Training; Professional Development Assessment System (PDAS) Annual Review for Teachers Online Courses; (yearly) Texas Test Administrator Modules Online Trainings; Legal ISSues of Special Education Law: "The IDEA and the Reality" Workshop; Making the ARD (Admission, Review, Dismissal) Process Work for Schools Workshop; "Study Island" Computer-Based Instruction Training; Texas Virtual Learning Center Course: Professional Development Assessment System Sexual Harassment for Teachers; Texas State Teachers' Association's TEPAC Interview and Endorsement Training; Domestic Violence Advocacy Training.
Her present position is that of a Reading Interventionist.
Ms. Korenek is a member of numerous associations (present and past) including: Texas State Teachers' Association; National Education Association; Milam County Educators' Association (President); Cameron Educators' Association (President); Association of Children With Learning DISAbilities; Texas Council for Children With Behavioral Disorders; Rockdale Parent Teacher Association; Cameron Parent Teacher Organization; International Reading Association; Little River Reading Council; Delta Kappa Gamma Society International; Lambda Psi Chapter of Delta Kappa Gama (Parliamentarian). She is also affiliated with Rockdale Young Homemakers (President); Rockdale Community Choir (Member/ Soloist); Girl Scouts of the USA ( 28-year Member); Lone Star Girl Scout Council (Trainer); Rockdale Girl Scout Neighborhood Association (Chairman / Troop Leader / Day Camp Director); Texas Jewish Historical Society (Presenter); Temple Israel in Schulenburg, Texas (Cantor / Member); Grand Lodge of the Sons of Herman – formally the Rockdale and now the Cameron Chapter 410, (Member / Trustee); United Daughters of the Confederacy – Shropshire – Upton Chapter 361, (Member).
Her numerous awards include: Lone Star Girl Scout Council: Plaque for 25-Year Affiliation; Plaque for 10 Years as Neighborhood Chairman; Selected Delegate to the "Girl Scouting in a Rural Setting Conference" held in Little Rock, Arkansas (Presenter); TSTA: Selected Delegate to numerous State Democratic Conventions; Selected Delegate to the NEA Convention in Dallas, TX; Selected Member to the TSTA's Political Action Interview and Endorsement Team / Committee; Delegate to numerous Delta Kappa Gamma Society International Texas State Organization Conventions; Rockdale Chamber of Commerce: Plaque -- in recognition her effort, as Rockdale Young Homemaker Chapter President, to get two Rockdale City Markers constructed and donated to the city; City of Rockdale's Chairperson of the City Park Restoration Committee; Rockdale ISD: 5-year tenure pin; St. Joseph Baby Alumni Club of St. Joseph Hospital in Houston, Texas; Cameron Elementary School 2009—2010 T.E.A. (Texas Education Agency) Recognized School Award "Mrs. Frizzle" Award for the 1992 –1993 School Year; Teacher of the Month for December, 2006; Cameron ISD: 5, and 10-year, tenure pins; 15 , 20, & 25-year, tenure plaques; pins in recognition of both the Cameron Elementary School 2009 --2010 T.E.A. (Texas Education Agency) Recognized School Award and the Cameron Elementary School 2010 – 2011 T.E.A. Recognized School Award; Cameron Elementary School's 2015 Teacher of the Year Plaque; Retirement Plaque (in recognition of 35 years in Education of which 27 years was spent teaching in the Cameron Independent School District).
Ms. Korenek has many published works to her credit including: "Growing Up Jewish in Schulenburg, Texas" article, published in the "Texas Jewish Historical Society Newsletter"; "Getting Jiggy With It" article, published during a New Jersey Writing Project of Texas Three-week Writing Institute; Instructional Unit for the Austin ISD, entitled: "Hummingbirds"; Instructional Unit for the Rockdale ISD, entitled: "Feeling and a Dealing."
Presentations: "Growing Up Jewish in Schulenburg, Texas" Article presented at a meeting of the Jewish Historical Society held at Temple Israel in Schulenburg, Texas; School Board Presentations in both the Rockdale ISD and in the Cameron ISD, Texas Professional Development Workshops in the Thorndale, the Rockdale, and the Cameron ISDs.
Trainer: Cambium Expanded Learning Group's: Journeys, Computer-Based Instruction Training, for Cameron Junior High Reading Teachers.
Host: Radio coverage of Meet the Candidates Forum
Spouse: William E. Korenek, deceased
Children (2) & Spouses: Denise Renae Korenek Meyer, Harvey Joe Meyer, Darrell Lynn Korenek, and Miki Moerbe Korenek
Grandchildren (6) & Spouses (2): Christina Renae Korenek Cloud, Casey Lee Cloud, Parker Lynn Korenek, Allison Nichole Mesecke Korenek. Abigail Leigh Korenek, Ashley Nichole Meyer, Britny Dawn Meyer, and Dustin Vaughn Meyer.
Additional Family Information: Mrs. Korenek's husband—William (Willie) Korenek—was first employed by Thermal Engineering Corporation in Houston, Texas, where he worked constructing commercial air conditioning and heating units. In 1963, the couple moved to Rockdale, Texas, where Willie became an employee of Company of America ( Alcoa ) at its largest smelter in the world -- Rockdale Works--where he first worked as a craneman in the potrooms. Soon he was promoted to a potroom foreman. Then Willie was transferred to the Environmental Control Depart where he was put in charge of the all the air pollution equipment and the air pollution bag changing crews. Later Willie was put in charge of starting up Alcoa's patiented air pollution systems in new aluminum smelters located in Canada, in Mexico, and in South America. He also became a member of a U.S. Environmental Control Team, as well as an International Environmental Control Team. Willie also served as one of three Alcoa's Tour Bus drivers and Tour Guides. He narrated the tours as he drove through both the smelter and the mine area and answered tourists' questions both during the tour and after he served them refreshments at the Alcoa Lake Training Center and showed them a video Alcoa's smelting and mining processes. Willie retired from Alcoa after 32 years of service. Soon he became employed by Rockdale Independent School District, where he worked for 14 years, first as a school bus driver and later as Rockdale ISD's Transportation Manager. Willie's final bus / van driving job was with "The Hop"--a company that transported elderly or disabled residents of Rockdale and towns in the surrounding area, who were unable to drive for themselves, to and from doctors' appointments, hospital stays, in Rockdale and in cities in Texas as far north as the Dallas/Fort Worth area, as far south as Houston and Victoria, and as far west as Austin. Willie also drove clients to and from local pharmacies, grocery stores, Walmart, even to beauty shop appointments.
Mrs. Korenek's daughter, Denise Meyer, a Rockdale High School honor graduate, accepted a Clerk I position in the Acquisitions Serial Records Department of A&M University, in College Station, Texas, in Aug. of 1980. Within the first 6 months of her employment with A&M University, Denise was promoted to a Clerk II status. In Sept. of 1981, Denise moved to Duncanville, Texas, where she became a Purchasing Agent for the Universal Manufacturing Company. In March of 1982, Denise moved back to Rock-dale, where she became a Medical Receptionist for the Rockdale Medical Association. In July of 1982, Denise accepted a position as a Pharmacy Technician with the Schwenker's Pharmacy in Taylor, Texas. In January of 1984, Denise became an Insurance Sales / Secretary for the State Farm Insurance Agency in Rockdale, Texas. In May of 1987, Denise went to live with her grandmother, Annie Korenek, in Weimar, Texas. She went to work for the Family Pharmacy in Schulenburg, Texas as a Pharmacy Technician again, until its closure in October 1989. In January of 1990, Denise became the Secretary for the Schulenburg Chamber of Commerce. While working for the Chamber, she often assisted the manager of the City of Schulenburg's Economic Development and Tourism Coordinator; so in April of 1990, Denise was promoted to position of Executive Manager of Schulenburg's ED&T. In November of 1991, because of needing more time to spend with her children, Denise resigned her position with the ED&T, and went to work for Farmers' Drug Store in Weimar, Texas as a Pharmacy Technician once again. Upon the pharmacy's closing, Denise transferred to the Watzlavick Pharmacy, Inc., in Schulenburg where she worked as a Pharmacy Technician for one last time until its closing as well. In Sept. of 1999, Denise became employed by Shaller Engineering--a manufacturer of go-carts for theme parks. There she served as Office Secretary & Order Shipping Assistant, until June 2001, when she had to leave this job, due to medical issues and advise from her physicians. That same month, Denise took the position of Office Secretary with Prime Products, Inc.—a manufacturer of various types of plastic products. In May of 2002, Denise became the company's assembly Department & Warehouse Supervisor until Mar. of 2003. From Mar. 2003 until the present, Denise does part-time, contact labor for the Shaller Engineering Firm, making vinyl stripes, numbers, and "Caution Hot" labels as decorations for the go-carts. She also develops and assembles the annual brochures in Oct. and Nov.—prior to their yearly Go-Cart Trade Show. Also from March of 2003 through May of 2010, Denise served as a Substitute Teacher for the Schulenburg ISD. In addition from Feb. of 2004 through March of 2010, she worked part-time for the Bluebonnet Trail Community MHMR Center in Schulenburg, at their Day Hab Workshop, as a (Relief Pool) Service Specialist and Supportive Home Living Staff Member. Denise assisted clients with vocational and daily living skills suitable to their choice. She also monitored the client's medications and the provision of specialized therapies, as well as providing the client with transportation as needed. Denise also was responsible for keeping meticulous records of all services she provided for her clients, the degree of their cooperation, and the recording of their skills acquisition progress. Beginning in May of 2010, to the present day, Denise has been employed by the WD, Inc. Corporate Office and serves as their Administrative Office Assistant. Her office is located at the Fayette Country Homes facility.
Mrs. Korenek's son-in-law, Harvey Meyer, a Schulenburg High School graduate, worked at a local feed store during his senior year, and upon graduation, he became employed by Ring Master in Columbus, Texas, where he work in the machine shop. A couple of years later, Harvey became employed with the Lower Colorado River Authority (LCRA) out of Austin, Texas, in the Line Construction Department where he worked on construction crew that erected / re-paired power lines. Later, Harvey transferred to the LCRA Fayette Power Project in LaGrange, Texas, where he now works in the Metro Department as Fuel Technician. This is his 34th year as an LCRA employee.
Mrs. Korenek's son, Darrell Korenek, a Rockdale High School graduate, received an associate's degree in mechanical engineering and CAD drafting from the former Texas State Technical Institute--presently known as Texas State Technical College--in Temple, Texas. After graduating, Darrell became employed by Bell / Textron Helicopter Corporation in Arlington, Texas, where he has worked as an engineer on various government projects--designing test stands and running tests on particular parts of the airships that Bell was/is manufacturing and marketing during/over the past 29 years.
Mrs. Korenek's daughter-in-law, Miki Korenek, a Rockdale High School graduate, attended South West University in New Braunsville, Texas for a while. After marriage, Miki became a mother of three, a homemaker, and a Sunday school teacher. When her youngest child was between two and three years of age Miki became employed by a Church Affiliated Day Care Center in Watauga, Texas, where she served as a Day Care Director / Teacher. After a while, Miki decided to continue her education; so she attended and graduated from The University of Texas at Arlington, with a B.S. Degree in Business. Soon afterwards, Miki became employed by the Weatherford ISD as an Administrative Assistant in the Central Office. There she has served in various capacities--the present of which she is working with curriculum and development, text books, and as the kindergarten registrar.
Mrs. Korenek's oldest granddaughter, Christina (Tina) Cloud, a Weatherford graduate, attended University of the Northwest (UNT) where she received both her Bachelor's and her Master's Degrees in Math and in Education and graduated with Highest Honors. While attending UNT, Tina tutored students who were having difficulty with various math subjects. Upon graduation, Tina's first teaching position was with the Weatherford ISD, where she taught Algebra I to students who were struggling with math, at her former alma mater—Weatherford High School. Next, she became employed by the Trophy Club ISD, where she taught Algebra I at first and later Geometry at Byron Nelson High School. Tina also served as a Student Council Director, a National Honor Society Director, a Drill Team Dance Instructor, and a Team Leader in the math department during her employment there. In the fall of 2015, Tina became an employee of the North West School District, as a Geometry teacher at Eaton High School, in Saginaw, Texas. In January of 2016, Tina attained her Principal's Certification and completed her internship at Eaton High School.
Tina's husband, Casey Cloud, is presently a full-time fireman, employed by the Trophy Club Fire Department.
Mrs. Korenek's 2nd oldest granddaughter, Ashley Meyer, a Schulenburg High School graduate, attended Blinn College in Bryan / College Station, Texas, for 2 years. Previously, Ashley worked part-time as a waitress and kitchen helper at Feather Rock Conference Center, located near Schulenburg from 2008 to 20012. She also worked as a waitress and a cashier from 2011 to 2012. From 2012 to 2015, Ashley worked as a hostess and a waitress at the Cotton Patch Café in Bryan, Texas, Presently Ashley is working full time, as a waitress at a sushi bar and grill and in College Station. She plans on returning to Blinn to continue her education this fall.
Mrs. Korenek's 1st grandson, Parker Korenek, a Weatherford graduate, attended and graduated from Texas Christian University (TCU) in Lubbock, Texas, with Highest Honors. Parker received his Bachelor's Degree in Mechanical Engineering. Upon graduation, he became employed with the Cummings Diesel Corporation as an engineer at their manufacturing plant in Columbus, Indiana. In September, Parker moved to Baytown, Texas, to joined his wife, Allison, who was working there for over six months. Parker job hunted for a while, but after finding nothing that interested him at the time, he decided to take a part-time job at an Auto Zone store for the present, and to return to college this fall--in order to receive his Master's Degree.
Parker's wife, Allison Korenek, a graduate of Temple High School, in Temple, Texas. Upon graduation, she attended and graduated from TCU, where Allison received both her Bachelor's and her Master's Degrees in the field of Environmental Engineering. Upon college graduation, she became employed by the Exon / Mobil Corporation, where she presently serves as an engineer in the Environmental Control Department at their Bay-town, Texas location.
Mrs. Korenek's 3rd oldest granddaughter, Britny Dawn Meyer, a Schulenburg High School graduate, is attending Blinn College in Bryan / College Station, Texas, and presently has a junior status. Britny, like her sister, also works part-time, as a waitress and a kitchen helper at the Feather Rock Conference Center near Schulenburg from 2011 to 2014. From 2014 to the present Britny was employed by Chimy's Restaurant in College Station as a waitress. She also works at a bar and grill in College Station. In the future, Britny plans on going to A&M University, in College Station, and work toward becoming an anesthesiologist.
Mrs. Korenek's 4th oldest granddaughter, Abigail (Abbie) Korenek, a Weatherford High School graduate, is presently attending Steven F. Austin State University, located in Nacogdoches, Texas. She is a voice major--specializing in opera--at a junior/senior college level. As a mezzo soprano, Abbie has performed in numerous SFAU vocal concerts and two SFAU opera presentations. She is also working toward an education certification. During the summers all through her high school career to the present, Abbie works as a life guard at one of the pools in Weatherford.
Mrs. Korenek's other grandson, Dustin Vaughn Meyer, a Schulenburg High School graduate, was employed by Phil Turkus from age 9 to age 17 to work on his 250 acre ranch outside of Schulenburg. While in high school, Dustin worked at the local farmers coop feed store and mill. Following his graduation, Dustin has remained in the Schulenburg area doing farm and ranch work--including cutting, bailing, and hauling hay; building fences; serving as a hunting guide; even making a count of the number and type of deer crossing the rancher's property during particular months of the year. Dustin has welding certification, so he does contract welding jobs, like making cattle guards, and gates and repairing other items. From 2015 to the present, Dustin has been doing sub-contracting work locally for Allen Mendel Construction Company.
Ms. Korenek's longstanding association with Strathmore's Who's Who since October 2009 includes:
Professional of the Year in Reading and English Education - 2011, 2012, 2013, 2016
Roundtable Member 2012, 2013, 2016
Lifetime Featured Member 2012
Bio of the Month - June 2013, January 2016
Industry Leader of the Month - June 2013, July 2013
Times Square, New York appearance – 8/22/2014
pr.com Press Release for 2015 with Times Square Appearance theme
The Legacy Program with 10 minute videography
2 page feature in America's Registry Magazine slated for 2016
PR Newswire slated for 4/22/2016
Top Female Executives and Leaders 2016
Lifetime Roundtable designation granted in 2016
When she is not busy tutoring, substitute teaching, attending meetings of the various organizations that she is a member of, or doing book readings (in costume / using various voices for the characters) for Library Summer Children's Reading Programs, she enjoys reading, listening to books on CD's, swimming or exercising in her pool, fishing, and spending quality family time with her daughter and her son, their spouses, her 6 grandchildren and their 2 spouses.
The Professional of the Year, Lifetime Roundtable and Top Female Leaders memberships in Strathmore's Who's Who are awarded to those candidates who have achieved recognition in their respective industry or profession for their accomplishments and reputation. This membership honors individuals such as Isyjean P. Korenek, who have reached the highest standards of achievement in their chosen field. The Times Square honor is of particular significance because of the high visibility it offers. This visual celebration of Isyjean Korenek's career will appear at regular intervals on two monitors attached to the landmark skyscraper at 3 Times Square, #1, New York, NY 10036. This structure is situated in what could be considered the busiest area of Manhattan. Strathmore's Who's Who is pleased to honor her.
SOURCE Strathmore's Who's Who
Source: PrNewsWire All
Link: Strathmore's Who's Who Honors Isyjean P. Korenek as a Lifetime Roundtable Member, Strathmore Online Radio Appearance in 2016 to Follow