Making Belleville Beautiful

Few families have done more for our schools than Team Ten Broeck! The very walls of Tyler Elementary proclaim the efforts of Mrs. Ten Broeck – as they beckon young learners with messages of inspiration. Mr. Ten Broeck, like his wife, is known for his kindness, generosity, and an ever-present willingness to do whatever it takes to make our schools better. No matter the situation, these educators see the silver-lining – and remind us all of where we too can find it. For all you do to make Belleville beautiful, I thank you! You are champions! #itsaboutkids

A Teacher's Saturday

Saturdays- also known as lesson planning, paper correcting, data analyzing, and general catch-up/catch-your-breath days for teachers across the nation. Today I celebrate Mrs. Kunz who often uses her Saturdays to prepare exceptional experiences for the Kindergarteners she so passionately teaches. The massive amount of preparation, however, comes second to the love she has for the children who enter her classroom. You will never meet a teacher with a bigger heart or a kinder soul for the children she has been called to educate. Mrs. Kunz takes babies and teaches them not only the curriculum, but how to be students. For every shoe you tie, nose you wipe, snack you provide, boo-boo you heal, story you read – and for everything in between, I thank you! You are a champion! #itsaboutkids

Academic Growth Isn't Always Easy

Since Fridays are twice as nice as every other day, I will talk about two incredible teachers! Mrs. Lindsay Roe Pawlowski and Mrs. Delfuoco - both of these ladies have been known to share random pictures of their students’ accomplishments with me. You see, academic growth is not easy for every child. “Getting it” takes twice as long (or longer) for some students! But no matter if the road was easy or difficult – whenever a child reaches the destination, the teacher gets to share in the success. For all those times when the success was too great to keep to yourselves, I thank you. You are champions! #itsaboutkids

Important Work

Long days are not unusual for elementary teachers- especially those who work with our youngest learners- but they often go unnoticed. The work, however, is important work. It is the work of champions. Mrs. Rafail, thank you for putting in the time to ensure your students get what they need each and every day. You are appreciated. You are a champion! #itsaboutkids

For the next month, I have decided to highlight an educator each day who consistently goes above and beyond the call of duty. I can’t fix the many problems surrounding education – but I can remind myself how lucky I am to be part of something greater than myself! Feel free to join me! #itsaboutkids