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At Fredonia Elementary School, we are proud of the fact that many of our students run into school each day. Part of the reason for their excitement about school is that the first person they see is genuinely happy to see them, greeting every student as they approach the school, often while wearing a silly hat and crazy socks, and wearing different colored Converse sneakers. Mr. Mark Fitzgerald is one of the Fredonia Elementary School Physical Education teachers and has been outside in the rain, snow, sleet, or sunshine, greeting students as they enter school for several years. The students flock to Mr. Fitz, high-fiving him, shaking their head at his colorful wardrobe, and smiling as he shouts out, “Good morning!” to every child by name. Mr. Fitzgerald has been a teacher at Fredonia Central Schools for the last 28 years, working with the youngest students in the physical education setting, as well as with the health curriculum, social skills, sharing, interacting with friends and overall physical activity.

Mr. Fitzgerald has also been a coach in the district, mentoring students in middle school and high school for indoor and outdoor track and cross country events. He can often be seen running through the community with a gaggle of students running with him, no matter what the weather conditions are outside. Students will comment, long after track season, and even graduation, that they are life-long runners because of the time they spent with Mr. Fitzgerald. It is with great pleasure we showcase Mr. Mark Fitzgerald as our Outstanding Educator this week. It is teachers like Mr. Fitzgerald who let our students know how special each and every one of them are, each and every day.