Three teachers have been recognized for excellence by ILRBW

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

May 5, 2026

Ann Cleary, Mary Ruth Kolk and Gerry Nemeth are recipients of ILRBW’s annual Distinguished Teacher Award.

The award is presented to teachers who have taught ILRBW courses for a significant number of years, and their classes have been well received and well attended by ILRBW members. Nominees, who are proposed and voted on by the ILRBW Governing Board, are deemed persons of great integrity, competence, character and good standing.

Ann Cleary is a national board-certified teacher in adolescent and young adult science. She taught 9th grade earth and space science for more than 30 years. Ms. Cleary now specializes in astronomy topics for ILRBW and strives to make course content simple and easily understood. She resides in Berea.

Mary Ruth Kolk develops and teaches ILRBW courses on women’s history, hidden historical Ohio landmarks health and the power of human connection. By weaving research, personal stories and visuals into her classes, she encourages learners to see history and life in new ways. Ms. Kolk, a past president of ILRBW (2020-2022), lives in Brecksville.

Gerry Nemeth spent most of his adult life working in the electronics industry, and then in higher education by teaching and tutoring mathematics and engineering. During his five years with ILRBW, he has taught courses on TV game show history, Cleveland-area Rock & Roll history, and Cleveland sports history. Mr. Nemeth lives in Parma Heights.

Distinguished Teacher Award recipients will be recognized on a prominent display at the ILR office on the first floor of Bonds Administration Building at Baldwin Wallace University, 275 Eastland Road, Berea.

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