ANDOVER – Pymatuning Valley Local Schools Superintendent Christopher Edison recently presented Lori Tabor with the December Hard Hat Award.
Tabor is the Pymatuning Valley High School Hospitality teacher and PV Middle School Independent Living teacher.
Her peers nominated her for the honor.
“Lori Tabor is exceptionally deserving of the Hard Hat Award for December because of her remarkable dedication, creativity and unwavering commitment to the students and community of Pymatuning Valley Local Schools,” shared her nomination.
Tabor’s peers shared that over the past year, Tabor has gone above and beyond her role, fully revitalizing the high school’s food classes and transforming them into a vibrant, real-world learning environment that students are excited to be part of each day.
“Her efforts led to the development of the Boathouse Brew/Café, an innovative, student-run space where learners gain authentic hands-on experience in food preparation, customer service, business operations, and teamwork. This program has not only elevated student engagement but has also helped many of them discover potential career paths in the culinary and hospitality fields,” shared her nomination.
Her impact extends far beyond the classroom.
“Recognizing the needs of students and families within the district, she worked closely with high school Principal Mr. [Mark] Mollohan to create a fully functional school food pantry. Through this initiative, students facing food insecurity are able to discreetly and consistently take home essential items, ensuring that their basic needs are met so they can focus on their education. Her compassion and commitment to removing barriers for students exemplify what it means to serve with heart and purpose,” her nomination read.
Additionally, Tabor’s peers shared that she has strengthened PV’s community partnerships by guiding her students in forming a Pymatuning Valley High School chapter in collaboration with the Greater Cleveland Food Bank.
“This partnership provides invaluable community service opportunities and allows students to engage in meaningful work that benefits families across the district. Through this effort, the school now receives fresh produce and resources delivered directly to the building, expanding food access for the PV community and reinforcing the importance of service learning,” reads her nomination.
Her nomination continues, “Mrs. Tabor’s leadership, vision, and passion for student success are evident in every project she takes on. She consistently demonstrates an incredible work ethic, a genuine care for young people, and a desire to make PV a stronger, more supportive place. For these reasons and many more, she stands as a truly outstanding choice for the Hard Hat Award, and her contributions continue to make a lasting difference in the lives of our students and families.”
