One of our roles as the JEF Board is to recognize Outstanding Educators. Back in January, we received a binder full of nominations to read through and evalute based on a specific ruberic. I spent countless hours reading letters from parents, students, and fellow teachers about amazing teachers who defintely go above and beyond to help their students, schools, and communities. I can't put into words how inspiring it was, and the graititude and love I felt for these individuals I had never met.
We ended up with 61 Oustanding Educators of the year - 1 from each school in the district; and then narrowed that group down to the Top 19 to be surprised in their classroom and invited to our yearly Gala honoring Outstanding Educators.
As a board, we cleared our schedules for March 19th and planned to get on a yellow school bus, 'Publisher Clearing House Style' and surprise our Top 19 teachers in their classrooms with balloons and a big check and lots of hoopla. The fancy Gala to recognize them along with a spouse or friend had been finalized - Hotel banquet rooms had been reserved, Dan Rascon & Sandi Resigraf had agrred to MC the night, the menu had been chosen, crystal awards had been ordered....ready to go.
Then Covid-19 hit. Uuuugh. No school, no gatherings, no recognizing teachers. We were sad and not quite sure how to proceed. It was finally decided and approved by the Superintendent, that the Board would do Home Visits to surprise and recognize all our Outstanding Educators. It had never been done before, but we were up for the challenge.
Oh my, what a treat!! We took 1 week in April to do home visit suprises for the Top 19. The principals coordinated with the family and set up Zoom observations with the unknowing teachers so that they would have all their students online with them when the visit took place. It was a lot of coordinating (hat's off to Steve & Anne for that) but I believe we were able to SURPRISE all 19 of them (as well as their neighbors)
Here's how it happened. The principal would be on a Zoom while the teacher was teaching, then they would interupt and say that someone else would be joining the Zoom. Then someone for the board or the Superintendent, would hop on the Zoom call, say Hello to all the students, and invite the teacher to come outsside to their front yard. We were all outside listening into the Zoom call and once they were invited outside, we went crazy honking horns and making all sorts of noise. When the teacher came outside....... there were news camera's, balloons, yard signs, friends, other teachers, etc outisde to Congratulate them! It was awesome!!!!
Here are short clips from few of the visits....
It was such a treat to recognize these teachers and to have their students and family be a part of the celebration, especially during these difficult time.
The social distancing on our part was a little tricky, but we did our best.
The Superintendent then shared a few words, along with their principal, and we awarded them a $1,000.00 check, which they are NOT to use on their classroom and all of the nomination lettters we have recieved about them. Such a special time to honor those who are doing so much to teach and support our students. You wish you could honor every single teacher out there for all they are doing.
With the Jeep doors and roof off, Emily was our official DJ for one of the days and played Kool & the Gangs 'Celebration' at each out the house stops. Brenna also joined me for a few of the visits and it is always fun to have them there!
We scheduled to visit the other 42 teacher in early May....so stay tuned for that.
