GEDDES TEACHER DARE EDUCATOR OF YEAR

St. Charles School's Sue Migon Wins State Honor for Her Work in Drug Education

Quite often, when the police come into a school, some students squirm.

But Wednesday morning, fifth-grade science pupils at St. Charles School in
Geddes were eyes-front and all smiles as their teacher, Sue Migon, was
honored by Geddes police.

"I'm proud to be here today," Geddes Police Chief Michael J. Walsh said.
"There are a lot of teachers in New York state in the DARE program.

"To have your teacher win this award is quite an honor."

Walsh then read the plaque that said Migon was recognized as the DARE
educator of the year.

The selection was made at the state conference of DARE officers in April,
and the official presentation took place in the front of her classroom.

DARE is the national Drug Abuse Resistance Education program, generally
taught in the fifth grade by local police departments. Geddes police Sgt.
Gail Barrella, who directs the DARE program at St. Charles, praised Migon's
participation in class as special.

"She takes part. She will sit in the back and, if things are moving slowly,
she will raise her hand and ask a question - just like a student," Barrella
said.

"She knows how to get the kids stirred up, to get things going."

And, Barrella said, "Everybody's special to her - not just the student who
writes a winning essay, or makes a nice poster." Migon, who has been a
teacher for more than 20 years at St. Charles, said, "I was very pleased,
but surprised. I was very honored just to be nominated."

Geddes police nominated Migon for the award.

While the DARE program cuts into her classwork 16 times a year, Migon is
proud of her link with the program.

"I feel the program is worthwhile if we save one child," Migon said. "In
the classroom, I hear kids' comments, hear them talking about how someone
on TV made a mistake by drinking too much.

"So I know we're at least bringing the awareness to the forefront."

St. Charles Principal Sister Donna Driscoll said Migon, "is an outstanding
teacher. What sets her apart as a DARE educator is she gets excited about
what she does."