Patricia Gakstatter Recognized for Contributions to Education

    ARMADA, MI, March 16, 2023 /24-7PressRelease/ -- Patricia Gakstatter has been included in Marquis Who's Who. As in all Marquis Who's Who biographical volumes, individuals profiled are selected on the basis of current reference value. Factors such as position, noteworthy accomplishments, visibility, and prominence in a field are all taken into account during the selection process.

A native of Detroit, Michigan, Ms. Gakstatter was drawn to the field of education by her mother, Theresa, who served as her mentor and inspiration after working for Detroit Public Schools as a secretary since graduating from high school. She was also motivated by the limited career options for women at the time, though she quickly fell in love with teaching children as she began teaching first graders in 1963. After more than 20 years of teaching throughout Michigan and Illinois, Ms. Gakstatter was eventually recruited by Armada Area Schools as an educator in 1987, thriving in this position until her formal retirement in 2008.

Outside of her exemplary efforts in the classroom, Ms. Gakstatter is incredibly proud of co-founding Project CARE, a nonprofit initiative that provides struggling families with food and necessities, including critical apparel during colder seasons. Working alongside her superintendent, she was driven by the core concept that every child deserves a free breakfast and free lunch at school. Moreover, Project CARE has gone above and beyond to help those in need, including providing a financially burdened parent with an outwater tank, and helping preserve positive memories for students, including ensuring that graduating high school seniors do not go without yearbooks.

To support her professional endeavors in academics, Ms. Gakstatter initially earned a Bachelor of Arts in elementary education at Siena Heights University. She subsequently concluded her studies at Eastern Michigan University, graduating with a master's degree in reading education. Beyond her primary responsibilities in her field, Ms. Gakstatter was additionally affiliated with the Armada Historical Society as well as the core committee for Community Heart & Soul.

Ms. Gakstatter attributes her success to her soft heart, her openness, her exceptional communication skills and being raised in an environment that emphasized the importance of education. She is also incredibly passionate about teaching students to read, socialize and think critically, and cites seeing her students grasp concepts such as reading for the first time as a highlight of her career. Having passed on her passion for caring for others onto her own children, Ms. Gakstatter's stellar career has been accentuated by a number of accolades, including being honored as a Distinguished Worldwide Humanitarian and recognized as the Elementary School Teacher of the Year.

In addition to her professional achievements, Ms. Gakstatter is grateful to have been married her best friend, Charles "David" Gakstatter, for nearly 50 years, in which time they have raised two wonderful children and one amazing granddaughter. She advises the next generation of elementary school teachers to practice patience, love and kindness in the classroom, as she fondly recalls former students who have described her as "family forever" after having taken part in her lessons and remain in contact to this day. Looking toward the immediate future, Ms. Gakstatter hopes to continue helping people though her efforts as a Shaklee business leader, as Shaklee's nutritional supplements, vitamins and products have helped improve the quality of life of many people, including those suffering from the side effects of rheumatoid arthritis medicine.

About Marquis Who's Who®:
Since 1899, when A. N. Marquis printed the First Edition of Who's Who in America®, Marquis Who's Who® has chronicled the lives of the most accomplished individuals and innovators from every significant field of endeavor, including politics, business, medicine, law, education, art, religion and entertainment. Marquis celebrates its 125th anniversary in 2023, and Who's Who in America® remains an essential biographical source for thousands of researchers, journalists, librarians and executive search firms around the world. Marquis® publications may be visited at the official Marquis Who's Who® website at www.marquiswhoswho.com.

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