SARANAC — Lisa Napper wants her students to smile.

She wants them to feel safe in her classroom and know from day one they are part of a family.

"My mom told me a long time ago that any decision I made with students, as long as I made it with my heart, it would never be the wrong decision."

As a result of Napper's dedication to education and her students, New York state has selected the fourth-grade teacher at Saranac Elementary School as 2009 recipient of the Helen Bach Moss Memorial Better Beginnings Award. The award recognizes teachers who are gifted in finding and nurturing the strengths of each student and fostering trusting relationships among pupils, parents, teachers and administrators.

'EXCEPTIONAL'
"I have always thought she was an exceptional teacher who cares about students and nurtures them and cared about families and didn't forget about them when they were no longer in her classroom," said Saranac Elementary School Principal Marguerite Tamer.

"It doesn't matter what she is going through in her life. She is constantly reaching out to people and has taught her students to be community contributors.

"She is always the first one in line to help out."

The Better Beginnings Award was created to honor Helen Bach Moss, a young educator who touched the lives of many people and died suddenly in 1988.

Her family and friends petitioned the Board of Regents to establish a memorial fund and provided an endowment to award a cash stipend of $1,000 to the winning elementary teacher.

HELP WITH TRAGEDY
Renee Castine, a first-year teacher at Saranac Elementary School, first met Napper when Castine (then Roberts) was 5 years old.

Napper taught Castine's brother, Joshua, when the young boy was diagnosed with non-Hodgkin's lymphoma, 10 months before he passed away.

"Mrs. Napper took me under her wing and nurtured me," Castine said. "She helped me to continue my relationships with friends, teachers, counselors and my family through that difficult time."

Castine ended up in Napper's classroom as a fourth-grader, and they never lost contact.

When she entered college, Castine knew what career she would seek.

"I knew I wanted to be a teacher. I wanted to follow in the footsteps of Mrs. Napper.

"It was my dream not only to become a teacher but a loving, caring, compassionate friend and mentor."

Castine did her student teaching with Napper, who has been her mentor at Saranac Elementary School.

"With having Lisa Napper as a teacher, friend and mentor, I have seen how encouraging one human being can be."

SCHOOL FAMILY
Napper's own fourth-grade teacher inspired her to pursue a career in education.

Today, she strives to make school fun and lessons engaging, ensuring students know they are loved.

If they know they are cared about, Napper said, they give 100 percent in the classroom.

She attends students' after-school activities, even an occasional graduation party.

"I have my family at home, and they (students) are an extension of my family," said Napper, who has been teaching since 1988.

She's quick to point out she doesn't deserve all the credit.

"A family is a little world created by love, and I am fortunate and blessed to be part of the Saranac Central School family. Any one of my colleagues could win this award, and it is a privilege to work with so many talented people."

Napper wants her students to know that even after they leave her classroom, she will be another adult in their life who cares about them.

"I can't imagine doing something else. I never could."

E-mail Stephen Bartlett at: sbartlett@pressrepublican.com