Two outstanding South Whidbey teachers were honored recently by the South Whidbey Schools Foundation.

Tom Kramer, a South Whidbey High School social studies teacher and the boys’ and girls’ tennis coach for 55 seasons, was the recipient of the Mentorship Award. Nominations are made by the South Whidbey school district graduating seniors. Kramer was nominated by seven different seniors.

Kramer, who graduated from Langley High School in 1969, was voted “Most Athletic” by his fellow classmates that year. He was a former basketball and track coach before becoming the tennis coach at SWHS.

Comments from student nominations about Kramer included: “He is always willing to help students and he pushes them to do the best they can.”

The Mentorship Award was created by Debora Valis and Steve Shapiro and honors teachers who have contributed the most to their students’ success.

The Extra Mile Award went to Dianne MoonDancer, an award-winning English and psychology teacher and director of the Bayview School, who retired this year. MoonDancer was nominated for both awards.

“In her years at Bayview High School, MoonDancer is credited by school officials and the Foundation for creating a strong foundation in which the alternative school has flourished.

“Everyone remembers at least one teacher who was very special and unique and had a positive impact on them,” said Dave Haworth, president of the South Whidbey Schools Foundation.

And it’s because of the importance of such teachers, Haworth said, that the South Whidbey Schools Foundation established the two awards.

The Extra Mile Award, funded by an endowment from an anonymous donor, recognizes teachers who have gone the furthest in the service of South Whidbey education in the past year. Nominations for the award are made by the entire faculty of the South Whidbey School District.

Winners of both awards receive a $500 honorarium from the foundation.

This year a record-breaking 33 nominations were received for these awards.

Community volunteers have worked since 1995 to make the foundation a presence in the education of South Whidbey students; the foundation has since provided more than $50,000 in grants for innovative teaching projects and creative programs.