The drive and overwhelming desire to serve young people that sparked a career change for Madelyne Bettis has earned her the 2021 Education & Services Award from the Rotary Club of South Haven.
The Rotarians, in collaboration with the South Haven Public Schools system and the South Haven campus of Lake Michigan College, annually recognize a teacher or educator in the community. The Rotary club contributes $250 to the South Haven Public Schools Education Foundation in the name of the honoree, as well.
Candidates for the award are nominated by administrators at their respective school.
Madelyne Bettis graduated from Florida State University with a degree in mechanical engineering. Her work as a project engineer at a Holland, Michigan company centered on the introduction of interior automotive components, but she felt a higher calling.
She decided to enter education and to pursue a Masters degree in secondary education at the University of Phoenix. From 2006-2013 she taught in the Covert school system. She became a member of the South Haven High School faculty in the 2013-14 school year.
Madelyne is the team-based teacher leader of the South Haven High School mathematics department and teaches all levels from pre-algebra to advanced placement calculus.
High School Principal and nominator Ryan Williamson, says, “Mrs. Bettis capitalizes on students’ strengths as she provides opportunity and support for participation in her classes,” and adds, “She provides ample time for all her students, both before and after school, to assist any student requiring additional understanding of the subject.”
For her part, Bettis says, “Watching the growth of students at all levels is rewarding,” while she adds, “You can’t control what happens when a child leaves your classroom, but you can control what happens when they are present by making it the most positive, encouraging, accepting place they know. Only then can the students be excited about learning.”
She is active in the Lily of the Valley Church in Covert as a participant in praise, worship and dance, Sunday school and youth ministries. She has participated in Our Town Players productions and is a former Girl Scout leader.
Madelyne is also an active member of the school improvement team and is the sophomore class sponsor at the high school. She has been a sponsor of the Student Council, Diversity Club and Robotics Team.
Mrs. Bettis and her husband, William, have three children, all of which have been in the South Haven schools system. Lauren is a 2019 graduate and currently a college student while Sydney and William are 9th and 11th graders respectively.
The photo accompanying this story on Moody on the Market is courtesy of Professional Photographer Tom Renner of South Haven.
