Dearborn Students Bid Geer Park Principal Fond Farewell

Smiles quickly turned into tears on Monday as students from Geer Park Elementary in Dearborn gathered to honor Principal Andrea Awada-Zeaiter for her years of service.

Awada-Zeaiter is retiring on June 30 after serving for 35 years at Dearborn Public Schools.

Students and faculty, along with Awada-Zeaiter's family and the Geer Park PTA, presented the school's founding principal with a cherry blossom tree as a token of their appreciation.

"I tree is a perfect example to put in place in front of the school because Mrs. Awada was a part of helping our students blossom," David Mustonen, communications coordinator for DPS said. "Every year now, as students come to school, they will see the tree blossom and grow, and they will be able to remember Mrs. Awada."

Hussein Berry, trustee with the Dearborn Public Schools Board of Education, said he appreciates Awada-Zeaiter's leadership and vision for education in the district.

"She's a bridge builder. She is able to leverage her relationships to benefit not only the students at Geer Park, but our entire school district," Berry said.

Awada-Zeaiter has worked for DPS since 1978. She began as a paraprofessional at Fordson High School. She also taught at Stout Middle School and William Ford Elementary School before serving as assistant principal at Salina and Lowery schools.

In 2005, Awada-Zeaiter was actively involved in the building design, curriculum planning and staffing of Geer Park Elementary prior to the school's opening in 2005. She is currently finishing her eighth year as principal.

"Mrs. Awada's leadership, dedication and love for the children at Geer Park will be missed," Zeinab Zaban, PTA president said. "Even though she won't be principal, she is always welcome to visit."

Following the tree ceremony, students sang "You Are My Sunshine" and took photos with their principal.

"No matter where you are in life, I want you to remember that Geer Park students always shine brightly," Awada-Zeaiter told the students. "Why are you always going to be helpful? Why are you always going to make your gamily proud? Because it's the right thing to do."

Geer Park teacher Lamis Srour has been named principal at the school for the 2013-2014 school year.