Going The Extra Mile
DOER
PROFILE
ELLEN B ET =
City: West Bloomfield
Kudos: Livonia's Teacher of the Year
Why did you decide to be a teacher?
"It's amazing how things work out. I wasn't looking
at options like young women do today — or maybe
there weren't so many
options. There wasn't
much counseling in the
schools. Basically, you
could be a secretary or a
teacher or a nurse.
"In high school, I was
very interested in current
events and diplomacy. I
majored in political sci-
ence at the University of
Michigan in Ann Arbor.
I got married at 20 and
transferred to U-M
Dearborn to get teaching
credentials while my
husband finished pharmacy school."
[Betel has been married since 1970 to Edward
Betel; the couple has three daughters and a grand-
son.]
Why do you like teaching at Churchill High?
"I have extremely interested, involved students, and
I'm able to develop new courses when the students
want them."
Is there one teaching innovation you're especially
proud of?
'All my government students are required to do
CPA (Civic Participation Activities), an experiential
learning program I developed.
"Each student meets with me and we develop a
plan based on their career choices, or on some kind
of strong avocational interest.
"Most kids come into government class think-
ing, 'I have to take this, but it's not interesting to
me.'
"Whenever you can base your curriculum on the
students' interest, you increase learning."
— Diana Lieberman, staffwriter
staff
Iff ore and more are
seeking ways to
help conquer seri-
ous diseases —
especially those affecting loved
ones.
Instead of just waiting for a sci-
entific breakthrough, concerned
SHARON
family members and friends have
LUCKERMAN found creative ways to raise money
and awareness for a cure — and
Staff Writer
for improving the quality of life
for patients and their families.
Nine members of the Canvasser family of West
Bloomfield, Farmington Hills and San Luis
Obispo, Calif, for example, have raised more than
$62,000 for the Leukemia and Lymphoma Society.
Simultaneously, they are training
to run the 13-mile, half-marathon
in Phoenix, Ariz., Jan. 11, to raise
more money for this cancer and
related blood diseases like
Hodgkin's disease and myeloma.
"We wrote letters, did fund-rais-
ers and bake sales, worked at the
Mongolian Barbeque and asked for
donations outside of Kroger's and
Farmer Jack's," says Cheryl
(Canvasser) Kerwin of West
Bloomfield."
The parents, Robert and Beverly
Canvasser, of West Bloomfield say
they are very proud of their chil-
dren. The funds their children raise
will help support Michigan-based
research facilities that include
Barbara Ann Karmanos Cancer
Institute, Children's Hospital of
Michigan, Wayne State University and the
University of Michigan, they say.
Only one of the nine siblings and in-laws has
run a marathon before, says brother Mark
Canvasser. "The remaining eight started training
this past summer for the event."
Their involvement is also a way to show support
for a family member who learned three years ago
of a lymphoma diagnosis. Today, the patient is in
remission.
Since that time, says Mark Canvasser, "My fami-
ly has witnessed the results of the research and
development of new drugs as a result of the funds
raised through the Leukemia and Lymphoma
Society."
The society has raised more than $360 million
through their marathons, which started in 1988,
and other fund-raising events, he says, and adds
that this money will fund research for new drugs
and treatments to eradicate leukemia and lym-
phoma.
While training for a marathon has not been easy
for these 40-somethings, says Canvasser, "It doesn't
compare to the challenges patients face every day
in their struggle to overcome these life-threatening
diseases."
For more information, call Mark Canvasser at
(248) 790-4490. ❑
The Detroit contingent of Canvasser family head-
ing to the marathon.
Bottom Row: Marla Canvasser ofWest
Bloomfield, Cheryl Kerwin ofWest Bloomfielth
Laurie Nedelman ofWest Bloomfield, Debbie and
Eric Canvasser of Farmington Hills.
Top row: Mark Canvasser ofWest Bloomfield and
Michael Nedelman ofWest Bloomfield.
Shabbat Candlelighting
REPORT A DOER..
Know a Doer — someone of any age doing inter-
esting, meaningful things in their life outside of
their job? We'd like to hear about them for possible
inclusion in this column. Call Keri Guten Cohen,
story development editor, at (248) 351-5144 or e-
mail kcohen@thejewishnevvs.com
"By kindling Shabbos candles with a blessing, we express our ability to illuminate our homes,
families, communities and the world by acknowledging our connection to God and mitzvot."
Devorah Lerner, secretary, glassblower, Oak Park
Candlelighting
Friday, Jan. 9, 4:59 p.m.
Shabbat Ends.
Saturday, Jan. 10, 6:06 p.m.
Candlelighting
Friday, Jan. 16, 5:07 p.m.
Shabbat Ends
Saturday, Jan. 17, 6:13 p.m.
Sponsored by Lubavitch Women's Organization. To submit a candlelighting message or to receive complimentary candlesticks and information on Shabbat
candlelighting, call Miriam Amzdak of Oak Park at (248) 548-6771 or e-mail: mainzalak@juno.com
1/ 9
2004
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