By By KATHIE HEMPEL / Niles Daily Star
NILES – Changing the course of lives is a big deal.
Richard Klemm, principal at Cedar Lane Alternative Education center, introduced the Niles Community Schools board to Shelley Wylie.
"Shelly came to us from truancy academy. Since being at Cedar Lane she has won attendance awards, has found and maintained a job and is about to be promoted to management," Klemm said.
Wylie is the first student to graduate from Cedar Lane, who attended all four years. Through the school's career program Shelley has been working at McDonalds for three years and has now been offered a position in their management trainee program.
"This is the kind of partnership – school to career – that we love. This young mom has balanced it all and done an outstanding job," Klemm said.
Managers at McDonald's said that they are glad to have her join the program. They report she is never late, often early and stays overtime as needed without complaint.
"Shelley excelled in English. She was a huge help in publishing the yearbook and getting it out in time," Chantelle Brousseau, her English teacher said.
The tables quickly turned on Brousseau, as she was called back to the front.
Brousseau was awarded Wal-Mart Corporation's Teacher of the Year award. She also received a $1,000 check for Cedar Lane and the opportunity to apply for an additional $10,000 for the school.
Many of Brousseau's family members were also on hand for the presentation.
"The most important part of my job as I see it, is building relationships with the students. Watching students discover and explore new literature is rewarding," Brousseau said.
"Chantelle is the kind of teacher you want with the students. Teachers like her are a real blessing. The sky is the limit for this teacher's career," Pamela Cross, who is an instructional assistant at Cedar Lane, said.
This is only Brousseau's second year teaching, both at Cedar Lane.