In District 49, we are committed to earn the choice of students, parents and colleagues. Every time a parent chooses to enroll in D 49, we are honored. Every student who chooses a team or contributes to a classroom is a source of pride. Those parents and students do not arrive or stay in District 49 because we have the fanciest buildings or the fastest busses ó even though we have fantastic facilities and tremendous services. They donít choose us because we win the most championships or send the most students to elite universities ó even though our students earn trophies, applause and admission to service academies and selective universities every year. Even though District 49 is on the rise in all these areas and more, our community tells us, year after year, that they love our teachers above all.As leaders in our district, principals and other administrators want to earn the satisfaction of our community. But no matter how popular a principal might become or how much expertise an administrator provides, they will never match the personal impact of teachers and other classroom educators. Teachers in District 49 lead the way. They are our first line of support for students, and the final demonstration of district performance. Recently, our board of education has featured teachers and classroom educators as honorees during Fantastic 49, our monthly recognition event. During the first month of this new year, our community celebrated Bobby Odom, a paraprofessional who supports students with specific learning disabilities at Falcon Elementary. As his principal observed, ìBobby goes above and beyond to support students.îIn February, we honored a group of elementary students who were sponsored by amazing teachers. Ingrid Daniel, from Stetson Elementary, presented student vocalist Tailor F., who shared a song with the board and audience. From Remington Elementary, kindergarten teacher Bonnie Bonser introduced Laiyla B., a kindergartner who became the youngest person to achieve such recognition in District 49. Laiyla warmed our hearts by sharing that she likes school because, ìI like to make friends and be nice.î To close the event, teacher Ashley Bergland from Odyssey Elementary introduced and affirmed Natalia Roach for her ìcourageous leadershipî and ìcontagious passion.î To round out the individual recognition, Lani Bryan, who teaches at Springs Ranch Elementary, celebrated Madison N. for her overall academic leadership and brilliance in the Battle of the Books competition.The celebration of students lifted up our young learners, but the lever that lifted those children to recognition was the servant heart of dedicated teacher leaders. We finished the recognition event with a group of students from Falcon Elementary who introduced Drums Alive! ó a multi-sensory program where students and adults drum on exercise balls to driving music and choreography from teacher Melissa Ardolf. Even a childlike board member joined in.Bringing out the best in our students is the high calling and deep commitment of every teacher in District 49. It is a privilege to learn from their example and become students ourselves of the way they challenge and build up the children of our community. There is evidence all around that District 49 is rising toward peak performance, and the greatest data points of all fill our classrooms and schools with the honored title of, ìTeacher.î If you see one, thank one.
