District administrator's corner

by Loren Glasbrenner,  River Valley School District Administrator This week the River Valley School District will honor and celebrate National Teacher Appreciation Week, which is celebrated during the first full week of May and is when teachers get the extra credit they deserve. At one time, there was only a special day, but teachers are just so darn dedicated they now get a whole week to gain our appreciation.  Whether you were a teacher, have been a teacher, know a teacher, or are a teacher, there are many ways to show a little extra gratitude to teachers. Teaching is known to be a time-consuming and rewarding profession, so this week is our chance to say thank you to those that play or have played such a huge role in our lives. Who doesn’t have a fond memory of a teacher who inspired them in some way? The River Valley School District employs the following education professionals: • 105 Teachers • Principals  • School Nurses and 1 Health Assistant  • Districtwide Administrators • School Psychologist It is an incredible team. It is a team of professionals that support each other. Educators don’t pick their careers for the money, yet they are resourceful. We will continue to find and advocate for resources to do what is best for our community of students. Teachers support families. River Valley educators help guide, feed, clothe, and support student needs beyond the school day. In order for a student to succeed, teachers take the steps to listen, problem solve, and make sure students are taken care of so they can learn. Teachers have found new ways to report progress to families in order to keep them involved. They find resources and work carefully to maintain confidentiality and care without expectations of thanks. Teachers encourage students by making learning fun. Whether it is a field trip to a children’s museum, designing homes in a woodworking class, writing a persuasive essay after researching current events, examining molecular structures, learning how to throw a softball, performing a musical piece, or debating statistical data–teachers create interest. Teachers believe in the future. Educators believe in the future of our valley and our nation. They come to work each day with the expectation that they will learn themselves. Teachers model learning while teaching our students. They develop new techniques while holding on to their purpose of educating our future leaders. They don’t give up. Within the educators that teach our students in the River Valley School District, they represent approximately 2,000 years of total experience. That is an incredible amount of collective wisdom! How fortunate we are to have their expertise building a better future with our students! When you see an educator this week, recognize this expertise and say thank you. Send a teacher a note or a quick email. They deserve our gratitude.