Tindall recognized for going 'above and beyond'

The emotion was clear in Rosie Tindall's voice.

The Chester Grade School special education teacher has taught for more than 25 years - 22 of them at CGS - in assisting children of all disabilities with the creation and development of life skills.

She was recently selected winner of VSP Vision Care's "Gift of Sight" contest, in which a kindergarten through 12th grade teacher is honored for going "above and beyond to help his or her students see the world through a new lens."

"She's constantly thinking of the children in new programs," said CGS Principal Tim Lochhead. "She has helped in our peace program and bullying and I could go on and on.

"She's truly a professional and has a heart for children. I think it's very deserving that she's recognized."

As a result of winning the contest, Chester District 139 students will receive up to 100 gift certificates for no-cost eye exams and glasses for students in need.

"I feel it's a gift for me, but something I could have never done by myself," Tindall said. I could never have sent 100 kids to the eye doctor and buy them contacts and glasses.

"Most of us can't do that, but you want to."

Tindall was nominated by her younger sister, Beth Wingerter, who highlighted the traveling coffee bar that Tindall and her students have created as a class business.

"Every week, her students have a traveling coffee bar for the entire staff," Wingerter wrote in her nomination of Tindall to the contest. "The students not only learn how to prepare hot and cold drinks, they learn how to handle money and most importantly, they learn people skills.

"Mrs. Tindall also goes above and beyond for her students by purchasing clothing and other hygiene items that they may need."

"I was very touched," Tindall said, fighting back tears. "She's my baby sister and we're super close. She works in the insurance industry, so this opportunity came across her desk.

"I was flattered that she would take the time to write something."

Tindall will receive a pair of designer sunglasses, but a person of her choosing will also be able to receive a VSP Direct vision care plan.

"I think that's really terrific that our kids could benefit that great from it," Tindall said. "I have a student right now who needs glasses and I know the Lions Club does a great job of supporting us in that, but this would give them a little a break too."

In an email to the Herald Tribune, VSP Global Public Relations Specialist Brittany Wesely said the company had received many entries for its contest, but was "especially moved" by Tindall's story.

According to Wesley, the certificates are available to students under age 18 who have a social security number, but no other vision insurance - including government programs.

Wesley said VSP Global is coordinating with CGS nurse Amy Eggemeyer to distribute the certificates.

"Even if there wasn't any award, I think the bigger story is (Tindall) is being recognized for something she does every day in going above and beyond on everything," Lochhead said.

Teaching was Tindall's second career choice - the first being fashion merchandising - but giving swim lessons as head instructor to a young girl with cerebral palsy helped steer her toward education.

"I just really enjoyed that time with her and that challenge," Tindall said. "That was a challenge for me and that really got me thinking.

"Seeing that she's able to swim a little and enjoy being in the water and her mom has some peace about her safety in the water, gosh if I could do that, that would be an amazing career."

Tindall later committed to education her sophomore year of college.

"There's been some rough years and some rough situations, but I remember when I got into teaching and it was kind of my second choice," Tindall said. "I thought 'Well, if I can make a difference.'

"That's all I wanted to do, was make a difference somehow."