From Principal Edwards:

“As I look around, I see students and teachers who care about the well being of their peers and they work hard to help one another. When I was walking down the hallway the other day, I stopped to talk to a teacher (Ms. Roderick) and she tells me she is so excited to have a student teacher. That she’s not sure she has the experience to have one, but she is so excited about it. Her enthusiasm, that enthusiasm, that makes us great.  Then I asked her, what else should we be celebrating? And she responds, so quickly with ‘Shannon Brown. Shannon works so hard to help everyone and it is so great.’  I continued walking the halls and ran into Mrs. Helena Townsend.  As we were talking, I asked her who should we be celebrating? She said, ‘Amanda Galbincea. Amanda has a husband and kids at home, but she still manages to spend her time building the robotics team. She spends all her time dedicated to the students, not for monetary gain, but for students to better themselves.’  How great is that?? The teachers here so easily praise the efforts of their peers. That makes us the best school in the universe. “

From Rebecca Roderick:

“How can I even explain the blessing that teaching is to me? It has been the catalyst of my joy, my growth, my compassion, my patience, my humor, my maturity. It has awakened creativity I didn’t know I had, made me tap into patience I didn’t know was possible, and corrected my vision to be able to see so much further than my own perspective. Through it I’ve learned that respect is essential but the only control I have over it is how much I give it to others. I’ve learned to set my pride aside to work and collaborate with people for the good of our students. I’ve learned how to put the needs of others above my own. I’ve learned how to keep pushing even when I’m emotionally drained, physically exhausted, or just simply not in the mood. I’ve learned to assume the best in others and to hear them out rather than jump to conclusions about their motives. I’ve learned that life often gives you two choices: be frustrated or laugh. I’ve learned to laugh. I’ve learned that I still fail frequently and that apologies always work. I’ve been humbled by my own limitations and failures while being unwilling to accept them as permanent. I’ve gotten to be a part of kids journeys and to see them grow, change, and mature as well as been saddened by their decisions to regress. I’ve gotten to keep loving them no matter what they choose. I’m a teacher but I’m constantly learning how much more there is to learn. The opportunity to teach is the biggest gift I’ve ever been given. I am unbelievably thankful for all that it has given to me and for all that it’s allowed me to give to others. I hope it takes more from me and I hope I always have more to give.”