Features
Teacher Appreciation
Alexis Torres
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IT TAKES A BIG HEART TO SHAPE LITTLE MINDS If you can read this, thank a teacher;) History: Around 1944, Mattye Whyte Woodridge (an Arkansas teacher) began working with political and educational leaders about bringing up a day nationally known to honor teachers. At the time, Mattye wrote to Eleanor Rooseveltㅡconvincing her of it’s major importance of having a National Teacher Day. In the year 1953, Roosevelt was able to persuade the 81st Congress to proclaim a National Teacher Day. Student Council: Hard at work The hard working team (Student Council) worked together to plan out what they could do to get the student body pumped about upcoming school events and figuring out how to show their appreciation for all the things Ronald Reagan teachers do. INTERVIEWS: |
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#1-Peter Kuehl (Mr. Kuehl)
How long have you been teaching?At Reagan?: 12 years total, at Reagan 3 years What subject(s) do you teach?: I teach English 9 & 10 Have you received any appreciation notes or pictures from any of your students over the years?: I have received notes, pictures and even a membership for Discovery World from a 5th grade class at Milw. Spanish Immersion School when I did a long term sub position listed above I have everything ever given to me over the years. It reminds me of the reason I am a teacher: the students. The gift card almost had me in tears and a thank you card from a student who was in foster care that my wife took shopping to buy her summer clothes since she did not have money to buy any. I have most of them with me to remind me of the students and some are posted in my room. What have you done for your students that show that you also appreciate them? : I am empathetic, have filled out many letters of recommendation, visited some in the hospital (one after a suicide attempt), attended the activities at Reagan like the concerts, musicals, sporting events, etc. and am genuinely a truthful person in regards to many aspects of life. Essentially, students can feel (I think) that I care about them as people as well as students. Do you have any favorite stories about you being appreciated as a teacher or of you appreciating your past teachers or students? Why is it your favorite? : When the students at Milw. Spanish Immersion presented me with the Discovery World year long subscription. As a student, a group of us took a former teacher out for a retirement dinner when he retired 7 years after we graduated. Do you have any thoughts on the holiday that is Teacher appreciation? : It is nice to have an "official" day (quite a few restaurants offer free meals for teachers) but I feel that, for the most part, teachers are appreciated often throughout the year. Any concluding thoughts/comments? : Teachers are often looked at as having it easy because of having the summers off but with the amount of time we put in outside of school hours equals that if not exceeds it and it would be nice if the general public would appreciate and accept that since the first thing I hear when I tell people I am a teacher is "That's gotta be awesome having an entire summer off!" BTW most of us work other jobs or have families to take care of since our kids are also out of school. #3-Lori Gamalski Brenegan (Mrs. Brenegan) How long have you been teaching?At Reagan?:16 years ; 2 years at Reagan. What subject(s) do you teach?: MYP Algebra I & Algebra II/Trigonometry Have you received any appreciation notes or pictures from any of your students over the years?: Yes, and of course I keep them. If so, what kind of appreciation trophies were they?: Pictures & cards are my favorite, although the jewelry I was given on a couple occasions wasn't bad. :) Do you have any on you or on display?: I wear the jewelry once in awhile and the others are stored in a chest that I keep in my bedroom. What have you done for your students that show that you also appreciate them?: I never had children of my own - main reason being I didn't want any of my attention taken away from my kids I have the privilege to work with everyday. I hold all of my students to high standards because it's what I would do if they were my own and because I know they can meet them. I had also coached volleyball for over 20 years, I am a Confirmation sponsor & I keep in contact with many of my former students - some of whom have children of their own now. Do you have any favorite stories about you being appreciated as a teacher or of you appreciating your past teachers or students? Why is it your favorite?: My dad has been a teacher/AD/football coach since 1978. When I am with him, I'm always amazed at how many former students recognize and stop to reminisce, no matter how close or far away from home we are. He is retiring this year & if/when I reach this same point in my career I have a fraction of the people my dad has who continue to reach out to him with their gratitude & kind words, then I will have achieved my ultimate goal. 
"Education is the most powerful weapon and you can use it to change the world."
- Nelson Mandela In my opinion, teachers should be appreciated. Some students may not like certain teachers for their own personal reasons, but those same students need to understand all of what teachers do for their students - not only teaching, but guiding and forming relationships to help create a better atmosphere filled with encouragement and value. “Any human anywhere will blossom in a hundred unexpected talents and capacities simply by being given the opportunity to do so.” -Doris Lessing |
#2- Oscar Silva (Mr. Silva) How long have you been teaching?At Reagan?: I have been a teacher for 4 years and have been here at Reagan for all 4 of those years! What subject(s) do you teach?: English 10, Literature and Performance, and Life 101. Have you received any appreciation notes or pictures from any of your students over the years?: I keep the notes the students give me in a special folder in my desk. Every now and then I open that folder and read the notes.They especially come in handy on the rough days. The notes remind me how much kind words matter. What have you done for your students that show that you also appreciate them?: Food. Every now and then (probably on a payday) I will stop and get my classes donuts. Students are growing and they are hungry 24/7. We have amazing students here at Reagan. We have to show them every now and then that we appreciate them, as well. Do you have any favorite stories about you being appreciated as a teacher or of you appreciating your past teachers or students? Why is it your favorite?: All appreciation is wonderful. The notes I have received over the years that students leave in passing mean the world. But the ones that really tug at my heartstrings are the letters, emails, or text messages that students send me after they graduate. Having alumni reach out is one of the greatest feelings in the world. Do you have any thoughts on the holiday that is Teacher appreciation?: I did not know that this was an actual holiday, but it’s great to know. The best way for my students to celebrate is to be successful in anyway possible. #4-Carrie Baker (Ms.Baker) How long have you been teaching?At Reagan?: I have taught for 14 year, 9 of those have been at Reagan. What subject(s) do you teach?: I teach MYP Performance and IB Theatre I & II and IB Literature - Level I. Have you received any appreciation notes or pictures from any of your students over the years?: Yes, cards, gifts, thank you notes, Facebook shoutouts! Do you keep them?: Yes, I have a file folder of all the personal notes, cards I've received. Sometimes if I have a bad day, I pull it out and read over some of the notes. What was your favorite one that you received?: Anything that is personalized, talks about a specific activity or incident where I helped influence a student for the better. What have you done for your students that show that you also appreciate them?: I will bring treats sometimes. When my IB Theatre classes complete a large assignment, we will have a party to celebrate where everyone contributes something. Do you have any favorite stories about you being appreciated as a teacher or of you appreciating your past teachers or students?: The personal cards are the best! They show that the student took time to write it and really thought out why he/she wanted to thank me. Do you have any thoughts on the holiday that is Teacher appreciation?: I think you should work to appreciate people whenever they go above and beyond to help you, not just on one day of the year. #4-Joseph Paltzer
How long have you been teaching? At Reagan?: I've been teaching for eight years. This is my third at Reagan. What subject(s) do you teach?: I currently teach PBL with an emphasis on Reading. However, prior to PBL, I was a traditional English teacher. Have you received any appreciation notes or pictures from any of your students over the years? If so, what kind of appreciation trophies were they? Do you keep them? What was your favorite one that you received? Do you have any on you or on display?: I happen to have a few keepsakes from over the years, but the ones that stand out are hanging up in my room. I have three portraits of me that students have done that I really like and follow me to any teaching space I've had. What have you done for your students that show that you also appreciate them?: Do letters of rec count? Aside from that, I'm always willing to lend an ear or help along this crazy world of high school. Do you have any favorite stories about you being appreciated as a teacher or of you appreciating your past teachers or students? Why is it your favorite?: A few years ago I went back to my high school to talk to my English teacher now that I was one myself. I could tell he really appreciated it, and I was finally able to explain how he had impacted me, as well as understand the complexities of the role that made him that outstanding. Do you have any thoughts on the holiday that is Teacher appreciation?: It's a silly thing really. We go into this profession because we like it, and part of the job is helping our students grow with our time. However, on the opposite side of the coin we can easily lose ourselves in that and it's nice to receive some appreciation especially as our year comes to the close. For me, it's the small things that have always meant the most, a simple thank you for sharing of success on tests/papers that I was able to help with. Doris Lessing Quotes. (n.d.). Retrieved April 24, 2017, from https://www.brainyquote.com/quotes/quotes/d/dorislessi121455.html?src=t_blossom National Teacher Day History. (n.d.). Retrieved April 24, 2017, from http://www.nea.org/grants/55161.htm |
Summer Festivals
Emma Duffy
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Making the Most of Your Summer
Jacqueline Jones
Summer is a time that you have off of school for relaxation and time to do whatever you want for three months. It's when you have a lot of time on your hands but really don't know what to do with it. There are many ways to make the most of this summer that can keep you occupied and make it enjoyable.
Find a Hobby
There is always something new and interesting that you have no idea about that could interest you. A hobby is something you put your time into for relaxation and enjoyment.
There are different ways to discover a new hobby. The first thing is to do your research things that you are interested in or have been wanting to look into but didn’t have time during the school year. If you’re stuck for ideas, you could also search common hobbies until you find something that inspires you. Once you’ve made your choice, find the things that are needed to accomplish learning more about it. If your hobby requires more attention, then take the time to practice the new skill and really get into it. This can also be used in the future and into the next school year as a tool for relaxation or something fun fall back on. And if you’re a freshman, you can even potentially use it as the basis of your sophomore Personal Project next year!
Get a Summer Job or Volunteer
Earning a little money here and there is a good way to gain a little independence while on a summer break. A summer job can be beneficial for many reasons; you can use the money to buy new clothes, save up for a car, or managing your money for bigger future purchases.. Also saving up for something or just the future in general is always a good use of summer money.
Helping out somewhere even if it is for free can always be a good way to spend your summer time. There are many places that will take any help they can get. Plus a benefit of volunteering is it will help you to beef up an application. There are many foundations that look for summer volunteers and many aren’t hard to get into. A good way to get started is research for volunteer opportunities on the internet or stopping in at places to find what you may be available for. Most likely the organization will have an application for you to fill out or have you meet with a coordinator at the location. Either way, its usually a simple process with plenty of opportunities in any field of interest.
Rediscover your community or Vacation Somewhere new
Every place and community always has new things to discover. Summer festivals, parks, landmarks, summer events, museums, art galleries, water parks, and hidden wonders are all things that may be found in any community. A good way to find out about these things is to ask around, look at a map of your community or enter it into that search box. It may take some time to sort through all the information but it be worth it to find something exciting and interesting to discover this summer.
Spending time in a new location can be refreshing. There are many opportunities to be had in a new environment such as: discovering new places, surrounding yourself with new people in familiar ones, new restaurants with new foods to try, landmarks to visit, and other tourist attractions are well known for uses of time and enjoyment.
Spend time with the people you know and love
There are many new people to meet and new places to go, but there are always those people you know and love that you can choose to spend your time with. There are places in your community that you can visit together and easy things that you can do at home to spend time. Summer doesn’t mean that you have to go somewhere new or try this or that — it means that you spend your time doing something that you enjoy with the people that you love.
Find a Hobby
There is always something new and interesting that you have no idea about that could interest you. A hobby is something you put your time into for relaxation and enjoyment.
There are different ways to discover a new hobby. The first thing is to do your research things that you are interested in or have been wanting to look into but didn’t have time during the school year. If you’re stuck for ideas, you could also search common hobbies until you find something that inspires you. Once you’ve made your choice, find the things that are needed to accomplish learning more about it. If your hobby requires more attention, then take the time to practice the new skill and really get into it. This can also be used in the future and into the next school year as a tool for relaxation or something fun fall back on. And if you’re a freshman, you can even potentially use it as the basis of your sophomore Personal Project next year!
Get a Summer Job or Volunteer
Earning a little money here and there is a good way to gain a little independence while on a summer break. A summer job can be beneficial for many reasons; you can use the money to buy new clothes, save up for a car, or managing your money for bigger future purchases.. Also saving up for something or just the future in general is always a good use of summer money.
Helping out somewhere even if it is for free can always be a good way to spend your summer time. There are many places that will take any help they can get. Plus a benefit of volunteering is it will help you to beef up an application. There are many foundations that look for summer volunteers and many aren’t hard to get into. A good way to get started is research for volunteer opportunities on the internet or stopping in at places to find what you may be available for. Most likely the organization will have an application for you to fill out or have you meet with a coordinator at the location. Either way, its usually a simple process with plenty of opportunities in any field of interest.
Rediscover your community or Vacation Somewhere new
Every place and community always has new things to discover. Summer festivals, parks, landmarks, summer events, museums, art galleries, water parks, and hidden wonders are all things that may be found in any community. A good way to find out about these things is to ask around, look at a map of your community or enter it into that search box. It may take some time to sort through all the information but it be worth it to find something exciting and interesting to discover this summer.
Spending time in a new location can be refreshing. There are many opportunities to be had in a new environment such as: discovering new places, surrounding yourself with new people in familiar ones, new restaurants with new foods to try, landmarks to visit, and other tourist attractions are well known for uses of time and enjoyment.
Spend time with the people you know and love
There are many new people to meet and new places to go, but there are always those people you know and love that you can choose to spend your time with. There are places in your community that you can visit together and easy things that you can do at home to spend time. Summer doesn’t mean that you have to go somewhere new or try this or that — it means that you spend your time doing something that you enjoy with the people that you love.
Summer days
Ema Nimphius
Dear Summer,
I would like to give you my thanks for the magical times you bring to my life. I feel as if sometimes you go unappreciated, so I decided to share the love I have for you. I know I can always count on the warm breeze that you send through my hair as I walk in the summer heat on days that seem to never end. You make simple things extraordinary, such as cold lemonade, freshly cut grass, and the smell of a crackling fire nearby.
I can name an ongoing list of activities that I love to do when you come around. A few of my favorite things that I love to do when you come around is swim in the lakes that you shine upon, and take long drives with the wind circulating and the music blasting. One of the most amazing things about you is that no matter what life throws my way, you always make me smile. You are like the best friend that comes once in a long while, but every time you come around, you bring happiness, joy, and warmth. It is like every time you say hello I seem to feel my emotions explode within, sending delight through me.
Even though there is a plethora of amazing things about you, I can’t stop myself from telling you the things that I don’t enjoy. I never liked how fast that you pass, it is as if one second you are greeting me at my door then the next you are stealing my heart and walking out, leaving me behind. I also have never personally liked when the days I treasure so much get taken away by the nights that bring forth sleep. I know you don’t have control over these things, but it is because I love you.
I love that you bring forth a long joyous break from the continuous school year, and you fill my calm days with relaxation and time for myself. Though I love your long days I love sleeping until I hear the birds chirping as the afternoon sky sends odd clouds across the sky. I can’t help but be fond of the weather that you bring to us, you allow us all to leave our houses and step into the world that you make so beautiful. You allow us to see the colors of the world in a new perspective, see our friends with new eyes, and look upon the world with a completely different outlook.
Thank you.
I would like to give you my thanks for the magical times you bring to my life. I feel as if sometimes you go unappreciated, so I decided to share the love I have for you. I know I can always count on the warm breeze that you send through my hair as I walk in the summer heat on days that seem to never end. You make simple things extraordinary, such as cold lemonade, freshly cut grass, and the smell of a crackling fire nearby.
I can name an ongoing list of activities that I love to do when you come around. A few of my favorite things that I love to do when you come around is swim in the lakes that you shine upon, and take long drives with the wind circulating and the music blasting. One of the most amazing things about you is that no matter what life throws my way, you always make me smile. You are like the best friend that comes once in a long while, but every time you come around, you bring happiness, joy, and warmth. It is like every time you say hello I seem to feel my emotions explode within, sending delight through me.
Even though there is a plethora of amazing things about you, I can’t stop myself from telling you the things that I don’t enjoy. I never liked how fast that you pass, it is as if one second you are greeting me at my door then the next you are stealing my heart and walking out, leaving me behind. I also have never personally liked when the days I treasure so much get taken away by the nights that bring forth sleep. I know you don’t have control over these things, but it is because I love you.
I love that you bring forth a long joyous break from the continuous school year, and you fill my calm days with relaxation and time for myself. Though I love your long days I love sleeping until I hear the birds chirping as the afternoon sky sends odd clouds across the sky. I can’t help but be fond of the weather that you bring to us, you allow us all to leave our houses and step into the world that you make so beautiful. You allow us to see the colors of the world in a new perspective, see our friends with new eyes, and look upon the world with a completely different outlook.
Thank you.