Community Perspective
Teachers recognized this week
Published Friday, May 9, 2008
Throughout the school district this week, parents, principals and parent-teacher organizations have prepared meals, baked homemade treats and made small gifts for teachers. As the school year nears its end, it’s time to show educators that their efforts do not go unnoticed.
During Teacher Appreciation Week, Fairbanks folks really reveal their understanding and compassion for teachers. I’ve heard about many creative expressions of gratefulness, ranging from the presentation of original poetry to a gift of cashews emblazoned with the message, “We’re nuts about you.”
One mom on our staff sent notes to her son’s teachers first thing Monday morning, just to say, “Thanks for all you do for children.” The child’s music teacher was thrilled to start the week knowing parents appreciate her.
Our 983 public school teachers are in classrooms day-in and day-out with our 14,000 students, working hard to ensure every student receives a quality education. Teachers pass on their knowledge and values to children and prepare them for their future.
According to Henry Adams, “A teacher affects eternity; he can never tell where his influence stops.”
The impact teachers have on the lives of children cannot be underestimated. Teachers are guiding forces in helping our children develop into healthy, happy and successful adults.
Several teachers in the district earn certification from the National Board for Professional Teaching Standards each year. These are highly accomplished educators who meet rigorous standards by completing intensive study, expert evaluation, self-assessment and peer review. Cori Anthony, Patricia Boertj and Jane Sandstrom are the most recent recipients of this prestigious recognition.
The Milken Family Foundation National Educator Award honor outstanding educators in hopes of attracting, developing, motivating and retaining talented people to the challenge and adventure of teaching. The most recent local recipient of the Milken award was Morgan Gray, Tanana Middle School. Each year during spring break, Mr. Gray takes students and parents to a foreign country, a culminating experience that draws upon everything the students have learned about that country throughout the year. When they return from the trip, students create a presentation to share what they learned in their travels. Mr. Gray brings the world into his classroom through a variety of learning activities that include programming robots, creating aboriginal artwork, producing video advertisements and even solving complex engineering dilemmas.
Later this month BP will recognize five district teachers for their outstanding efforts at an award ceremony in Fairbanks. This year’s BP Teachers of Excellence are: Patricia Aikman, Woodriver Elementary School; Patricia Behner, North Pole High School; William Kilgore, Randy Smith Middle School; Sonja Marshall, Barnette Magnet School; Christine Villano, Denali Elementary School.
While not every teacher wins awards or has the opportunity to see his or her name in lights, trust me, they make a difference in the lives of children. Although feeling truly appreciated for their impact can be something which a teacher may wait years for, or perhaps never truly know, I hope our teachers realize they are appreciated by students, colleagues, the community and the state.
Please join me in honoring our teachers in recognition of their lasting contributions to our society.
Nancy Wagner is the Fairbanks North Star Borough School District superintendent.
Community Discussion
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Kuddos to the students, teachers, parents, and staff for a peaceful school year in the FNSB district. I learned to use "lattice" to multiply from my fourth grader. I hope the math gets easier next year.
Bravo teachers! My kids go to Pearl Creek and I must say that the teachers there are excellent and absolutely dedicated to the kids. The staff at Pearl Creek are also. I just returned from an overnight camp out with 2, 1-2-3 multi-age classes (about 50 students) and, again, I am just amazed at the effort these teachers put out for the kids. In the meantime, my son and husband are on a 5-day trip to the Seward Peninsula with my son's 5th grade class. The teacher had the idea, ramrodded the fund raising so that the trip was free for every kid, and has now spent 4 consecutive nights on gym floors in southcentral Alaska with these 24 kids and about 10 parents. The school counselor and resource teacher also joined the kids on the trip. These professionals are dedicated and wonderful! I'm sure the kudos are welcomed by them but I hope the school district will give them the raises they deserve.
Both of my daughters have had Mrs. Villano, she is awesome! Glad to see that it doesnt go unnoticed!
And might it be noted that none of these teachers will be receiving any overtime pay/per diem for these trips and it is hardly done for the selfish purpose to travel, anyone who has spent a couple of nights in a gym with 20+ children know that nowhere on Earth is worth that, and they are taking time away from their own family to do this.
My suggestion to anyone who complains about teacher's salaries should spend a week in a classroom, completely in charge, and tell me what they think. There isn't enough tea in China. Thanks teachers!
WELL DONE MS. MARSHALL! My daughter loved your class this past year, and I'm so happy for you! We're out of Fairbanks for now and miss Barnette terribly. What a wonderful environment for kids, what great teacher and PARENT involvement. We miss you!
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