BY KARISSA MILLER

Third Creek Elementary School staff, students and parents held a special ceremony on the last day of school to dedicate a bench in memory of Michael Gerycz, a beloved fifth-grade teacher who died at the beginning of the school year.

His family came from Pennsylvania to join students and school staff to honor Gerycz, who was affectionally known as “Mr. G.” He devoted nearly two decades of his life and career to serving others.

“Michael Gerycz will always be remembered. His impact continues to ripple through the lives he touched … May we be inspired by his example: To teach with passion, to lead with kindness and to live with confidence,” TCE Instructional Facilitator Lisa Reckert said during the ceremony.

This bench, she explained, will offer support, a place to rest and a reminder of what it means to truly care. The school held a 5K run in March to raise funds for two benches, which will be outside on the school fields.

“Mr. G was more than a teacher. He was a mentor, a guide, a friend and, to many, a hero,” Reckert said. “His passion for teaching math wasn’t just about numbers and equations — it was about helping students discover their own potential, building confidence and showing them that they were capable of more than they ever imagined.”

He touched many lives with an infectious smile and sense of humor that teachers and parents said helped make learning fun for students. Many of the students who were in attendance cried and hugged one another during the ceremony.

“He made a lot of jokes. He was a good teacher and helped me get better at math,” said student Sophie Adair, who was in Mr. G’s class in fifth-grade class last year.

Jennifer Adair, Sophie’s mom, who works as an interventionist at TCE, said, “He knew how to bring out her strengths as a student. I wanted my son to have him in fifth grade. He was the teacher that everyone wanted to have.”

Over the past year, Gerycz’s absence has been felt deeply by the staff.

“To his co-workers, Mr. G was the colleague everyone looked forward to seeing in the hall,” Reckert said.

“We miss his jokes, his wisdom, his generous spirt and his presence,” she added.

Gerycz also developed his own effective strategies for predicting and improving student outcomes on standardized tests, which was one thing many of his co-workers admired about him.

Outside the classroom, Mr. G had passions that ran deep. His love for the Pittsburgh Steelers, Penn State and golf were legendary.

“Whether he was cheering on his teams or hitting the fairways, he brought the same enthusiasm and joy that he brought to everything in his life,” Reckert said.

His sisters, Amy Edmiston and Michele Janosik, wore Penn State and Pittsburgh Steelers jersey during the ceremony.

“We are grateful that away from home, he was able to find a community that loved him so much and appreciated him,” Janosik said. “He has made a difference in the lives of so many people.”

Edmiston said her brother was caring and compassionate. She was thankful that the school honored him.

“The bench stands as a tribute to a life well lived … it’s a place where students, co-workers and friends can sit and remember. It’s a place where future generations can wonder …. and hear the stories of laughter, the lessons and the legacy of Mr. G,” Reckert said.

Before the bench’s unveiling, Principal Carla Moorefield said a prayer and told the group that the bench was yellow because it serves as reminder “of the light he brought into our lives and his profound love for the Pittsburgh Steelers.”

Photos

Michael