Tom Meyer

School: Canterbury School

Grade teaching: Second

Education: Associate degree in liberal arts from Hesson College and a bachelor’s in elementary education from Goshen College

Years teaching: 16

City born: Wooster, Ohio

City raised: Rittman, Ohio

Current hometown: Huntertown

Family: Married with two children: 12-year-old daughter and 8-year-old son

Last book read and what you thought of it: “Raising Cain: Protecting the Emotional Life of Boys.” I enjoy reading books that give me insight into the growth and development of children. In this book, the authors make the case that boys need help to get in touch with their feelings in order to develop their emotional literacy. This empowers them to live more productive and fulfilling lives. In my role as a teacher, I feel that I can be a constructive role model for boys in this area.

Favorite class in school: Science and social studies

Biggest influence in your decision to become a teacher? My father taught elementary school for 37 years, and my mother was a school nurse for many years. Their experiences serving the community through the educational system were rewarding for them. I have many memories of helping Dad prepare his classroom, grade papers, etc. As I grew older, it felt natural for me to pursue education as my vocation.

Nominated by: Mark and Alison Birkmeier, parents

Nomination: “Our son was a new student at Canterbury in January 2012. It’s difficult for any student to change schools, especially during the middle of the school year. Mr. Meyer made this transition very smooth for our child. We immediately saw a difference in the way that our son viewed school. He began to love school! Learning became exciting for him, and he could not get enough of it! Mr. Meyer makes learning fun. He is very patient and kind, yet has high expectations for all of his students. We feel extremely fortunate and grateful that our son was able to be a student in Mr. Meyer’s second-grade class. He is an amazing teacher!”

Indiana Tech

•Dr. O’Dell Owens, president of Cincinnati State College, will be the next speaker in the University Forum series. Owens’ presentation will be at 6:30 p.m. Thursday in the Magee-O’Connor Theater (Andorfer Commons) at the Fort Wayne campus. Owens earned an M.D. at Yale University Medical School, a master’s degree in public health from Yale University, and a bachelor’s degree at Antioch College. In October 1988, Black Enterprise Magazine selected Owens as one of the top 15 black doctors in America.

IPFW

•The public is invited to learn more about eating disorders and ways to enhance body image and self-esteem while being inspired by creative works of art, dance, songs, engaging speakers, personal stories, and monologues as part of National Eating Disorder Awareness Week. “Mirror, Mirror on the Wall … Reflections from Within,” is 6:30 to 8:30 p.m. on Wednesday in the Walb Student Union Ballroom. Attendees are invited to bring any clothes that don’t fit the “real you,” and these items will be donated to Hope House and Crossroads. For more information, contact Judy Tillapaugh, IPFW wellness and fitness director, at 481-6647 or tillapau@ipfw.edu.

Saint Francis

•High school students in grades 9-12 interested in learning about the benefits of dual-credit programs are invited to attend Dual Credit Information Night from 6 to 8 p.m. Wednesday in the USF Performing Arts Center, the former Scottish Rite Center, 431 W. Berry St.