Flathead County Schools Superintendent of Schools Marcia Sheffels was awarded the Lifetime Achievement in Literacy Education by the Northwest Montana Reading Council.

Other award winners included Literacy Teacher of the Year Pat Ashworth, who retired from Flathead High School at the end of the 2013-14 school year; and Literacy Paraeducator of the Year Kane Hines of Russell Elementary School.

Whitefish Credit Union received the council’s Friend of Education award.

Sheffels is only the second person to receive the council’s Lifetime Achievement award. Sheffels will retire at the end of her term as county superintendent of schools.

The awards were presented during the council’s Back to School Literacy Conference recently at Flathead High School.

Conference organizer and Flathead High School English Department Chairwoman Sue Brown presented Sheffels’ award. Sheffels was an “obvious selection” for her commitment to literacy education, according to Brown.

Brown noted Sheffels’ strong work ethic as county superintendent of schools.

“She brought to the office an amazing work ethic, a professionalism respected by all, a tireless honoring of teachers and a passion for helping to improve education for all students,” Brown said.

“Passionate about education, Marcia models life-long learning through the way in which she always stays abreast of educational issues. Hers is a researched and reasoned voice, and therefore a very respected voice.”

Sheffels established her work ethic at the start of her career as a high school Spanish and English teacher. Sheffels taught at schools in Missoula, Great Falls and Columbia Falls.

“Marcia has always had a work ethic topped by none, and any of her former students would tell you that they could always find her late after school in her classroom grading, working with students and planning,” Brown said.

Throughout her teaching career, she spent time supervising student teachers at the university level and working to help students from Montana State University and the University of Montana students become licensed teachers.

In 2005, Sheffels began her first term as county superintendent of schools.

“Her grace and professionalism help make all of us very proud to call ourselves educators,” Brown said.

Flathead High School reading teacher Sylvia Heselwood and council Co-President and Flathead English teacher Leah Schvaneveldt presented Ashworth with the Literacy Teacher of the Year award, comparing the impact she’s made in literacy education to a classic novel.

“Today we honor our own modern-day ‘classic,’” Heselwood said. “This teacher has stood the test of time with grace and perseverance. In fact, she has both supported and inspired our own teaching practice. Her career has spanned 40 years and three states. Her calm demeanor and sense of humor has allowed her to deal with the most challenging and often unique students with ease and class.”

District Reading Coach Betty Darr presented Hines with the Literacy Paraeducator of the Year award, commenting on her caring attitude and commitment to student learning.

“She is a team player who goes above and beyond, often seen working on lesson plans, planning a special event, or collaborating with staff well past her regular half-day schedule.”

Darr also described Hines’ regular appearance as Mrs. Tootles — dressing up in an angel-type costume to inspire students to give words of encouragement known as “tootles,” rather than “tattles.”

As a paraeducator, Hines works with students who need extra assistance in their academics.

“In her work with students, she encourages some of our neediest learners in a way that challenges them but also supports their emotional as well as academic needs,” Darr said.

Whitefish Credit Union Chief Executive Officer Jim Kenyon accepted the council’s Friend of Education award on behalf of the credit union.

Whitefish Credit Union was given the award for going “above and beyond” in supporting education endeavors through donations for various scholarships and arts education, sports and after-school programs. Additionally, the credit union was noted for providing leadership training, financial literacy education and its formation of a credit union Junior Board of Directors.

Reporter Hilary Matheson may be reached at 758-4431 or by email at hmatheson@dailyinterlake.com.