Tracy Foley
By Megan Alley
Sun staff

A full-time volunteer at Felicity-Franklin Middle School received a prestigious education award from the United Way during a luncheon on Oct. 28 at Duke Energy Center.

Tracy Foley, of Felicity, was honored with the Clement L. Buenger Award for Leadership in Education, which recognizes community members who are strongly committed to ensuring that all children and youth succeed academically, according to a press release.

The award is named after Clement L. Buenger, who served as the president and chief executive officer of Fifth Third Bank for more than 10 years. Buenger led what became known as the Buenger Commission, which developed a report outlining recommendations for improving Cincinnati Public Schools, according to a press release.

This is the fifth year the award has been presented.

Foley, who left her full-time job as a construction management firm accountant two years ago, devotes her time to the Girl Scouts, the Parent Teacher Organization and providing classroom assistance at the middle school.

“I was surprised and grateful to receive the award,” said Foley, who has two daughters, ages 12 and 5.

Joe Pfeffer, principal at Felicity-Franklin Middle School, said the award is a huge deal.

“The impact she has had on our school district has been phenomenal,” Pfeffer said. “She’s a very structured, motivated and creative person.”

He added, “Four years ago, we started looking to increase our parent participation. We started having meetings, and Tracy was one person who was always there. She’s actively involved in the middle school, not only during the school day, but with after-school programs as well.”

Foley’s most significant activity has been organizing after-school clubs through the middle school’s Caring Parent Council. The interest-based clubs, which received startup funds from the United Way, are free to all students in fifth through eighth grades.

Foley develops the activities, materials, schedules and snack menu.

“When the Boys and Girls Club left Felicity, there wasn’t anything to do after school for the kids. That’s when we started the after school programs,” Foley said. “I felt like I wanted my kids to have a great experience after school, and was happy to help other kids have that as well.”

One in five students have participated in at least one after school club since they began last year, according to a press release.

“The students look forward to being part of the programs she’s created,” Pfeffer said.

In the classroom, Foley developed a reading program for sixth grade students, based around the “March Madness” National Collegiate Athletic Association basketball championship.

Students read books, completed book reports and received brag tags, to be displayed on their necklaces.

“The month of March was the biggest success in reading when Mrs. Foley came up with the idea to create March Madness reading brackets,” said Patti Cruse, associate marketing manager at the United Way of Greater Cincinnati, in a press release. “Students were challenged to read a set of books and vote on the winner.”

She added, “The project motivated students to do additional reading as they latched onto the sports theme and picked up books.”

Pfeffer said reading scores have gone up since the program was developed.

“Students’ enthusiasm has increased too,” he said.

Foley said she enjoys doing things in the classroom that enhance the curriculum.

“I think school should be a great experience for children,” Foley said. “Sometimes they get caught up in all of the work, but if there are fun things to do, they seem to like it more.”

She added, “I like to bring extra activities into the classroom that will enhance the teacher’s curriculum.”

Foley said that her work with the students has taught her that children are looking for a connection with other people so that they can receive help.

“They might not always ask for help when they need it, so it helps to have other people in the classroom to notice the need,” she said. “I didn’t realize they wouldn’t feel comfortable to ask for help all the time.”