Super Educator Appreciation

Super Educator Appreciation
Posted on 05/03/2021
This is the image for the news article titled Super Educator AppreciationEvery first full week of May, schools across the U.S. celebrate Teacher Appreciation Week. Because we have so many staff playing strong supporting roles in our students lives, Salt River Schools celebrates Educator Appreciation Week to honor all our staff who impact student lives.

This has been an incredible year - incredibly challenging, but also incredibly amazing with how much our educators rallied to ensure students continued to have robust learning experiences regardless of whether their classes happened in person or remotely. Salt River Schools is proud of all our educators have accomplished.

This week, Salt River Schools set up "Super Selfie Stations" and encouraged staff to take photos of themselves, which we've shared below, along with statements from the educators about their favorite teachers, how they got into teaching, why they teach, and more.

We'd also like to thank Discover Salt River, Medieval Times, Great Wolf Lodge, Imagine 3D Mini Golf, and Whataburger for their generous donations. It means so much to our educators!

Teaching is a work of heart.

We also invite students, families, and community members to submit photos and/or videos to thank and support our educators; email [email protected] and we'll share it on social media!


Brian Flanigan-Arthurs
Teacher
Accelerated Learning Academy

Brian Flanigan-Arthurs   My favorite educator was my 10th grade geometry teacher, Dr. Hayes. As a sophomore, math was probably my least favorite subject, but this teacher was different from many others I had to that point. The first thing was his strong Boston accent (which will play a big role later in this story), and then appreciating how he generally taught from the back of the classroom, opting to call students up and directing them to work out problems on the board for the whole class to follow.

One thing I remember most was his No. 1 rule – he called it the “Golden Dart Rule,” and he kept a prop of a dart wrapped in gold foil in the classroom. As he often expressed in class, the Golden Dart Rule included the fact that we all make mistakes, and we learn from those mistakes. That’s what makes us better than when we started. He held that when he makes a mistake, or a student puts an incorrect answer on the board while following his directions, no one “throws darts” at them to make them feel cheap.
One day, I was selected to jump up to the front of the class, and work out a problem he dictated. I was excited to do this. While I didn’t volunteer (he never chose volunteers), everyone who worked out problems on the board always left that class happy because he would help them through it step by step. There was no need to fear being in front of the class. CLICK HERE TO CONTINUE READING THE STORY.


Tanya Romans
Teacher
Early Childhood Education Center

Tonya Romans  I love being an educator, because I am able to shape the minds of my students to become life-long learners.


Chantel Romans
Teacher Aide
Early Childhood Education Center

Chantel Romans 

I love being an educator, because...

  • I get to help change lives and get students ready for kindergarten.
  • I get to help children become life-long learners.
  • I am surrounded by rock stars everyday ---> my colleagues.
  • We are part of something BIG... much larger than ourselves.
  • We get to have FUN!
  • Parents trust me with their most valuable possession ---> their kids.

#SaltRiverStrong



John (JP) Jones
Teacher
Accelerated Learning Academy

JP Jones  I love being an educator, because I can really make a positive impact on the life of my students. Nothing is more rewarding than when you see one of your former students years down the road, and they share a memory and thank you for making a difference in their life.


Tianee Lane
Teacher Mentor
Early Childhood Education Center

Tianee Lane  Why do I enjoy being an educator? I enjoy providing a positive yet meaning experience on a child's education journey of achieving developmental milestones and preparing them to become lifelong learners by building relationships and connections with the child's family through a variety of shared experiences such as: story time, cultural food experience, and volunteering in the classroom or at ECEC events.


David Crebs
Art Teacher
Salt River Elementary School

David Crebs I love being an educator, because I get to do something I love and share this with my students. 


Seipe Flood
Education Native Language & Culture Teacher
Accelerated Learning Academy

Seipe Flood For my favorite teachers: You are my teachers. My family, my students, my childhood teachers and adulthood mentors, you made me feel safe, like I could do it. You tested me and some of it was hard. A lot of it was hard. You taught me music and to dance and cook; I learned how to sew and work hard, and be a mother. So many things I still need to learn. You taught me to use common sense, to think outside the box, and to look for things on my own. You didn’t give up on me, so I didn’t give up on me. What you taught me, I can never repay but to say thank you and I won’t forget you. Love, Seipe Flood (O’odham Culture/Language Teacher, ALA)


Marissa Garza
Teacher Aide
Early Childhood Education Center

Marissa Garza
I love being an educator because I get to make such amazing connections with the children in my class and set them up to be lifelong learners. Shoutout to the Turtle classroom staff and children! It's been such a great first few weeks back! #saltriverstrong 


Tiara Boye
2nd Grade Teacher
Salt River Elementary School

Tiara Boye Why do I love being an educator? I love the excitement when a student realizes the power of learning. Virtual or in-person: Students' eyes continue to twinkle, the light bulb goes off, and the words "I got this!" are exclaimed. I'm blessed to be there in those moments. 


Dawn Meyers
Music & Movement Teacher
Salt River Elementary School

Dawn Meyers I love the "Smiles & Connections!"


Caroline Sekaquaptewa
FACE Early Childhood Educator
Salt River Elementary School

 Caroline Sekaquaptewa I just want to share a HUGE shout out to our parents who have been partners in education this year. It has been exciting to see this partnership, and it opens doors for many great things with their children’s education!


Cheyenne Begaye
Paraprofessional
Salt River Elementary School
Cheyenne Begaye  As an educator I enjoy building relationships with students to make a difference and impacting future generations, which reminds me of my 5th grade math teacher. She used to always have a positive attitude, and I saw her as a second parent. I also want to give a special shout out to all teachers teaching online while supporting their own kid's schooling.


Jamie Todechine
Teacher Aide
Early Childhood Education Center

Jamie Todechine
I love being an educator, because every day brings new development, new challenges and something funny to laugh at. I love that I get to see the difference I make in my student’s lives every single day.


Nancy Yurek
Librarian/Media Center Specialist
Salt River Elementary School


Nancy Yurek I love my job! I am so busy and it is fun! I'm involved with all grade levels, whether it be testing or fulfilling a multitude of library book hold requests. Plus, I get to work with super people! We are here for the students and we love our roles here at Salt River!


Ipa Dutchover
Samantha Rohwer & Elyse Newman Amelia Carlos
Doug Skarlupka
Coach B

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