Teacher Appreciation Week runs Monday, May 5 to Friday, May 9. Teachers play a critical role in educating and shaping our children into the future leaders of our country. These kind, patient, hard-working, dedicated, and understanding professionals help mold our children and guide them in positive directions. We entrust our children with teachers during the school year and they play a pivotal role in their lives daily. Today, we are showing appreciation for our High School teachers! Here are stories from families and staff.
Auburn
Jessie Barrett
"Ms. Barrett is one of the kindest most considerate teachers I have had the pleasure to be taught by. Daily, Ms. Barrett is caring without question, and always finds a way to be helpful and brighten up my day and the school day of others." -submitted by Brayden Velez
Christina Barte
"It's the kindness and the appreciation I have for this teacher. She always make sure I have a good day, and she makes sure I get to class. She makes sure I have snack. The best teacher ever in my opinion." - submitted by Randy Willias
Mario Beltran (pictured above)
"Mr. Beltran is the coolest teacher I've ever met. He keeps it real. He's not to hard on his students about work. He does make sure we are doing what needs to be done, but all of all, he's the just best. I haven't been knowing him too long, but from what I have witnessed being his student, is that he listens and he cares about us. He cares about our feelings, about issues, and if he can help with the issues, he speaks his mind about it. I can say that Mr. Beltran impacted my life and I will always thank him for being the teacher most students need. " -submitted by Lashala Torry
Robert Hammer
"For always being caring and considerate to his students and giving his fullest effort to make sure we learn and understand all class topics." -submitted by Brynleigh Houston
Dennis Jack
"For being a patient teacher, willing to help and teach whenever and however he can. Being himself and working hard." - submitted by Adella Francis
Marianna Ruggerio
"She makes harder concepts seem very simple, which is especially crucial in one of the hardest AP classes offered. Her style of teaching resonates with everybody with a mix of fun activities and core lessons with the goal to engage students with physics; physics that she makes fun. " - submitted by Dhanush Ramaswami
Jennifer Shriver
"She's the best math teacher I have ever had and she does a great job explaining concepts that are hard for me." -submitted by Julia Kurien
Maureen Werner
"She helps out with work and is always calm and collected when others are loud and acting up. Not only that but she is very understanding and fair with her rules." -submitted by Quashee Coffee
East
Paul Albright
"A lot of kids aren't nice to him in our 3rd hour, but he never gives up and he shows up with positive energy everyday. He's my favorite teacher at East! So thank you Mr. Albright!! " -submitted by Jayla Anderson-Westbrook
Dylan Bane
"He's helpful to his students and helps them get ready for their future. Amazing coach as well." -submitted by Carter Fraser
George Bathje
"This teacher has made it his number one priority to make sure kids pass his class. Whether it's staying after to help with homework or saving time during class to ask him questions so we fully understand the curriculum. He honestly has become one of my favorite teachers to talk to, and he's really helpful by supplying us with extra tools before a test. Thank you Mr. Bathje for all you've to help make sure I pass your class." -submitted by Ni'Caya Frazer
Amy Caulk
"I want to thank Miss C for being my band teacher for all 4 years of high school. I believe that she has taught me a lot more than just rhythms and notes. The opportunities given to me during this program has helped me find myself and understand what I want to be. I know she'll continue to grow even when I graduate. Love you Miss C!" -submitted by Jatori Wilder
Katrina Garnhart
"She's helped students stay on track and has helped me open up and become more confident. She's there to listen and attended my school activities. She's very dedicated to her students and will always be there to off her time and advice. She's made looking toward the future possible. Thank you Mrs. Garnhart." -submitted by Aliyani Melecio
Jackie Hennelly
"I first had Mrs. Hennelly as a teacher my freshman year of high school. She would always greet everyone who came through the door with a smile, no matter what she had going on that day. She would always put her students before anything else. I remember I was not having a good day and just started crying in class, she of course noticed this and took me outside of the classroom to talk. She told me that everything would be okay and that she would always be there for me when I needed her. Even though this seems like a small action, it was big to me. I had never had a teacher that cared so much about me and my feelings. Now, I am a senior and Mrs. Hennelly is my favorite teacher. Her kindness and memory will live with me forever." -submitted by Ava Gallagher
Janelle Huston
"She has been one of the teachers that had made me so comfortable, she is super fun and yet still teaches us ASL with different activities and stories. She makes the class enjoyable and makes it fun to learn ASL." -submitted by Nelly Sanchez-Lopez
Ashley Kohlberg
"Ms. Kohlberg has been my daughter's teacher/casemanager for the past 4 years and has been one of the best teachers she has had throughout her school years. Ms Kohlberg is very responsive to my questions and concerns. She has also done everything she can to help support my daughter so she can be as successful as possible." -submitted by Shannon Jones
Sarah Logemann
"I want to thank you for help me to improve my English when I was in sixth grade at Lincoln Middle School." -submitted by Saleh Mukucha
"I want to thank you for give us candy and take us to play soccer every day in 6 grade ." -submitted by Abdul Alhanshali
Madison Passmore
"Ms.Passmore has made me feel welcomed since the day I walked into her classroom. Not only is she a great teacher, she's also a genuine, caring, warm-hearted, and mindful person. She always goes out of her way to make sure her students are doing okay, academically and mentally. Ms.Passmore is very understanding, if you're ever having a bad day she's always willing to do whatever to make your day a little bit better than it was when you walked in. Whenever I feel like giving up or stuck on an assignment, she is always right there helping me step by step. Ms.Passmore deserves so much recognition and appreciation, as a teacher and as a person. Thank you for always making me feel so welcomed and comfortable to talk to you about anything." -submitted by Juliana Giacomazzo
"Ms.Passmore is a very lovely teacher. She is always there when you need her, and a very understanding person. She loves her students so much!! " -submitted by Brianna Zarinana
"I think Ms.passmore is an amazing teacher, and she is always there. WE ARE BESTIESSS!! Never fails to make us laugh and smile. LOVE YOUUU!! - submitted by Kyelle Gomez
William Rowald
"For teaching things in an easy to learn and memorize way." -submitted by Evan Caton
Pamela Ruenger
"Over the course of 3 years with her, she convinced me to go to college and helped me with that journey all the way up to the point I was accepted. Now shes preparing me for it and helping me figure out my best path forward such as dorms or commuting and classes, expectations and effort. She acted as another mother if that makes sense to you. I would say the classmates agree. " -submitted by Dalton Nystrom
McKenna Turek
"I want to thank my teacher, Ms. Turek for always being there no matter what, actually caring when nobody does. I also want to thank her for being so supportive, and for listening to me when no one else will. Thank you Ms. Turek!" -submitted by Kadyn Hill
Guilford
Deanna Ballard
"She is good at teaching Physics." -submitted by James Versino
Jeffrey Barabasz
"I wanted to thank this teacher because he has become my sole reason for coming to school. I've been struggling extremely with not only my mental health and my physical health. Even though I have never told him about it, he would always ask how I am and that meant the world to me. He is the teacher that motivates me to keep going and to keep trying in life and to get through my senior year. I truly believe having him as my teacher this year was a blessing from God because he knew I'd need it." -submitted by Caylea Carter
Hannah Bowers
"Because she listens to my problems." -submitted by Carter Graham
Shannon Callahan
"She always trys her best for her students. She talks to them with respect and treats them as adults not children." -submitted by Mackenzie Jenkins
Noah Erickson
" He is the most fun and entertaining teacher in the whole school." -submitted by Rodrigo Valdivia
Tes Hastings
"She has been one of my favorite teachers. She has helped me actually be able to understand my math. She goes a different way about teaching which makes the learning fun. She has to be an amazing teacher." -submitted by Madelynn Reinagle
Alexis Ihonde
"Miss Ihonde is an incredible teacher and mentor to my son, Matthew. She has made his transition to high school go smoothly. She has his best interests at heart, gives him confidence in himself and his school work, and always makes time for him and his needs. She encourages him to aim high in school and life goals and she has incredible sensitive side for him. We cannot thank her enough for her guidance, confidence, and incredible teaching skills to help make Matthew successful. Thank you, Miss Ihonde! Matthew thinks and speaks very highly of you and I can see why. We appreciate you!" -submitted by Carrie Marinelli
Jacqueline Kliebe
"I want to thank Mrs. Kliebe because she is an amazing teacher who deserves so much credit. I had her last year and she would always encourage us to ask questions to better understand math. She broke up the math lesson in steps to make it easy to comprehend. I still visit her today and she makes her students feel appreciated and recognizes their potential. She uplifts her students and encourages them to show their full potential. She is the best teacher I've ever had and deserves a huge thank you." -submitted by Elizabeth Uchehbu
Courtney Kubacki
"She has helped me through so many ups and downs. She is honestly my safe space and I am able to talk to her about almost anything. She makes me feel like a valued student." -submitted by Arianna Barbuto-Macko
David Lynch
"Thank you for helping me with my work. You are good at explaining problems." -submitted by Anthony Versino
Kari Morris de Hernandez
"This teacher works so hard to help make her students day better. She wakes up at 4 o'clock just to plan, goes to bed at 9 taking care of all the children in her household. She works so hard and nobody sees it. She has 9 other people living in her house. She always tries to help her kids, and her students don't realize how good of a mom, wife, daughter, aunt, sister, and teacher she really is." -submitted by Elouisa Hernandez
Bryce Thomas
"He makes class fun and enjoyable while also teaching us class material." -submitted by Khaliel White
Jefferson
Lynn Graczyk
"Mrs. Graczyk was honestly the best teacher in all the 4 years in my high school career. She is so sweet, caring, and kind to all her students. She is also an amazing teacher. I learned so much in her AP 11 English class! I love her and she deserves to be teacher of the year!! After her class, it was a breeze to write essays. She is super understanding and truly wants the best for her students." -submitted by Megidia Abayeva
Laura Gray
"Thank you for being the person you are and always being there for all of us!" -submitted by Bella Escobedo
Victoria Mitkusevitch
"I'd like to thank Ms. Mitkusevitch for being such an incredible teacher and for making such a lasting impact on my learning. Having her for two years was truly a gift. She created a classroom where I felt supported, challenged, and encouraged to grow. Her passion for teaching and her belief in her students made all the difference, and I'm so grateful for everything she taught me. She not only helped me become a better writer and thinker but also made learning something to look forward to. Thank you for everything, Ms. Mitkusevitch!" -submitted by Trey R
Benjamin Randecker
"He has been a huge inspiration to me and many other students. He has taught me more than how to play my instrument, but taught me life skills that will stick with me forever. He has always been a huge supporter to me and many other kids, and strives to help everyone be successful. I have never had a teacher be there for me, and have so much faith in me as he has. I want to thank him for just overall being the best teacher I could have asked for. " -submitted by Vanessa Carroll
Brooke Stover
"Mrs. Stover is always kind and considerate with her students and it is obvious that she wants them to excel. She keeps her students engaged in class and offers a safe and comfortable space for the students to learn." -submitted by Rosina Goodloe
Erica Teller
"Thank you for always being here for all of us and always going above and beyond for all of us and teaching us so much. We love you! " -submitted by Bella Escobedo
"Making class easier and having personal connections with most of her students making them comfortable and the environment fun." -submitted by Elizabeth Lamb
Brianna White
"Thank you for being there for all of us, even after we aren't in your class anymore and always being someone we can talk to about anything!" -submitted by Bella Escobedo
Roosevelt
Greg Johnson
"Greg has taught me many things. He's always very understanding and flexiable with assignments and makes things easy to help me get it done. He's let me work in our makers space on different cool projects and makes it a good environment." -submitted by Addison Prochnicki
Angela Keller
"She makes my daughter LOVE going to school. She is so excited everyday to go to school. Great start and introducing school! " -submitted by Crystal Daugherty
Kristy Topalovich
"She always helps me." -submitted by Avae M
Caleb Wells
"I am incredibly grateful to this teacher for connecting me with a local skateboard shop, owned by a friend of his, when I needed skateboard decks for a student design project. His generosity and willingness to help made it possible to turn this project into a reality, giving my students an exciting and meaningful creative opportunity." -submitted by Kyle Wolfe