Parent Teacher Magazine Gaston County Schools January 2014 | Page 7

School custodian wins Kia Outstanding Educator Award and new car

The announcement was made Thursday
afternoon, November 21 during the Kia Outstanding
Educator Awards Ceremony at Stuart W. Cramer
High School. As the award winner, Salazar receives
a 2013 Kia Optima from Kia of Gastonia.
“I just can’t believe it,” said Salazar after
receiving the car key from Kia of Gastonia president
Chris Hafer. “Thank you to Kia of Gastonia – it is a
beautiful car.”
Salazar was one of 57 school and central office
nominees for the Kia Outstanding Educator Award.
The nominees included teachers, custodians, office
personnel, teacher assistants, cafeteria workers,
bus drivers and support staff. A random drawing
determined the winner.
“We congratulate and commend Mr. Salazar and
we are delighted to have him as our Kia of Gastonia
Outstanding Educator,” stated Superintendent of
Schools L. Reeves McGlohon. “All of the nominees
are dedicated, caring people who take great pride
in Gaston County Schools – they are our unsung
heroes and go the extra mile every day to make a
W.A. Bess Elementary School custodian Omer Salazar is the Kia of
difference. We are proud of each one of them.”
Gastonia Outstanding Educator.
During the ceremony, the nominees were
introduced and received a Kia Outstanding Educator
McGlohon continued, “The Kia Outstanding Educator
plaque from Superintendent McGlohon and members of
Awards Ceremony was a wonderful way for us to partner
the Gaston County Board of Education before placing their
with Kia of Gastonia to recognize and salute the outstanding
name in a large bin. With all nominees on stage, Salazar’s
educators we have in Gaston County Schools. We are
name was drawn from the bin and he was declared the
extremely grateful to Kia of Gastonia and Kia president
Kia Outstanding Educator. Family, friends and school
Chris Hafer for making the Kia Outstanding Educator Awards
representatives celebrated with Salazar as he sat in the
program possible.”
driver’s seat of the new Kia Optima.
The ceremony aired on the GCS Education Station Channel
Kia of Gastonia is located at 4290 Wilkinson
21 Monday, November 25 through Sunday, December 1 at
Boulevard in Gastonia.
3:00 p.m., 5:00 p.m., 7:00 p.m., 9:00 p.m. and 11:00 p.m.

Parent Teacher Magazine • January/February 2014 • 5