Connie Douglas Makes A Difference at Columbia Elementary!

Connie Douglas makes a difference in the lives of the students at Columbia Elementary School.  This year she was recognized by the CES staff with the “You Make A Difference Award.”  She is an amazing asset to the students and teachers.  As the librarian, her enthusiasm for reading and getting children excited to read more books is infectious! When asked why she likes to work at Columbia Elementary School, Mrs. Douglas said, “It is the absolute best place to work, the rewards, the staff, everything about it is wonderful!”

When talking about Mrs. Douglas, the Columbia Elementary School principal Mrs. Wright, said “Wow!  She does it all.”  She went on to comment, “Connie greats each student every morning.”  Mrs. Wright talked about Connie’s way of encouraging students to read.  She said, “Connie makes reading fun by dressing up in costumes and decorating the library.  During March is Reading Month she dressed up like a pirate!”  Mrs. Wright went on to say that the theme for the special reading emphasis was “We Arr-gg Readers!”  It was a fun time for the students, because Mrs. Douglas decorated the library with items associated with pirates. 

Mrs. Douglas’ enthusiasm for reading helps to motivate the students.  She mentioned that during the year, she does a “Top Reader of the Month Award for two students and keeps track of the students with the most accelerated reader points on the Star Wall.”  She continued saying that, “The top 10 first graders and the top 10 second graders get their pictures on the Star Wall.”  She explained that, “This wall has students from as long ago as 2002, and our readers are excited to earn enough points to take someone’s place on the wall. This is a real accomplishment.” 

Mrs. Douglas has had various jobs for the Columbia School District, including being a one-on-one aide and assisting students in special education.  As part of her duties, Connie tracks student attendance and fills in for the school secretary during lunch time.  She is very creative and tries to make a difference for the children in Columbia.  In addition, Mrs. Douglas is very active in working with the staff to increase their level of fitness.  She does a special walking club called, “Move Your Butt” on Monday, Wednesday and Friday, that involves walking and exercising in the bus loop between the elementary buildings.

Mrs. Douglas gets involved with positivity at Columbia Elementary by encouraging students to work hard and be kind.  She helps award students for their behavior by assisting in the celebration for the Columbia Elementary School Student of the Month Award.  Mrs. Wright mentioned that additionally, Connie “gives out prizes every Friday to students who have been chosen for Mystery Behavior! “  Connie explained that, “This is a focused behavior on positive actions by the students.”  She mentioned that she also does the “Work Hard and Be Kind” student award each morning.  Connie said, “The students love receiving awards for positive behavior!”  Connie is a blessing to the children and staff at CES!  She is very deserving of her award for making a difference!   Learn more about Columbia School District at www.myeagles.org .

Mrs. Burge Makes A Difference at CES!

Barb Burge was honored with the “You Make A Difference” Award this year for her ability to continually give our Columbia Elementary students the attention that makes each moment extra special.  This award is voted on by her fellow staff members.  Barb loves her job as a dedicated teaching assistant for a child.   She said that her degree in therapeutic recreation gives her a special insight to do her job.  She works to be creative and make learning fun for her “Little Eagle” student.

Mrs. Burge said, that she appreciates the team work and camaraderie at Columbia Elementary School.  She commented that the “teachers and staff are always asking others for ideas and everyone is willing to share ideas.” She continued by saying that there is a spirit of encouragement and humility within the staff.

Barb mentioned that she looks “forward to connecting with the kids every day. It's important to me to stop when a child is speaking to me and look them in the eye and really pay attention to them. Everyone wants to be heard and understood and working at CES is the perfect place to show I value the kids.”

Mrs. Burge enjoys working with the children at Columbia Elementary.  Her experience raising her three boys with her husband has given her insight that comes in handy with the “Little Eagles.”  She said that her son Kaden, who was the prince in the CCHS production, ‘The Little Mermaid’ has also played in the band and soccer.   Since many of the students saw the play, she gets to use him as an example of the positive opportunities at Columbia.

Barb also enjoys working with first grade teacher, Mrs. Wisneski to encourage the students to eat healthy.  She mentioned that because they set an example by eating fruit for snack each day many of the students would bring fruit for their daily snack.  The interest in bringing fruit for snack even encouraged the principal, Mrs. Wright, to bring her apple into the classroom and join in the healthy fun! 

Mrs. Burge continued to make a difference in the lives of the children of Columbia Elementary even through the school closure this spring.  She continued to encourage children to keep learning and taking advantage of the time with their family.  Barb missed seeing the children every day, she added that, “kids give the best hugs!”  Thank you Mrs. Burge for your work at Columbia Elementary School! 

Making A Difference: Mrs. Hawkins!

“You Make A Difference!”  At Columbia Elementary School, Wendy Hawkins makes a difference in the lives of her students each and every day!  She was chosen by her peers for the “You Make A Difference” award.  Mrs. Hawkins said, “As a first grade teacher, I get to have so much fun with my students! Even though we have a lot of challenging lessons to learn, we get to read great books, sing, laugh, and create all the time. I can't imagine a life without fulfillment that comes at the end of a day of teaching.”

Mrs. Hawkins continued by saying, “I love teaching because it allows me to give my students a gift they will use they use for the rest of their lives, the ability to read. Seeing a first grader come to school knowing a little bit about reading and how words work, and then blossoming into this child that reads book after book is amazing. The pure joy that is seen on a child's face when they get to read something on their own is priceless.”

Mrs. Hawkins spent more than a decade in the business world before she began teaching.  She began teaching she was 35 and she is so thankful that she made the change to work in education because she gets to do something she loves.  She commented that she “still gets excited to see my students and coworkers every day. Each day is a new adventure.”

Wendy is thankful to the Columbia community for being generous and supporting her classroom through grants for books, robots, building, and art materials.  She mentioned that, “Columbia School District truly has my heart. I was raised here, am a member of the community, my son is a Columbia grad. I feel such a strong bond to our local families and our district. We have so much to offer students and families, and I believe we are the best district around. So, I am very blessed.”

Not only does Mrs. Hawkins make a difference in her classroom, she is an integral part of the community.  She volunteers with the Columbia Schools Educational Foundation by working on their social media, helping with the annual golf outing and assisting with the scholarship process.  Thank you Mrs. Hawkins for making a difference every day!

Lori Hunter Makes A Difference at CUES!

Lori Hunter is an amazing lady and Columbia School District employee.  Her caring attitude and intense concern for Columbia students has taken her from working with preschoolers, to Options High School, to Columbia Elementary, and now to Columbia Upper Elementary, where she serves as the administrative assistant to the principal.

Mrs. Hunter said that she is, “so proud to have been recognized by my peers with the ‘You Make a Difference’ award.  It came as a complete shock, but what an honor!”  She continued by saying that she feels, “so appreciated and thankful for the staff at Columbia Upper Elementary School.  I work with such amazing people that go above and beyond each and every day!”

Lori Hunter mentioned that “the best job in the world is to be able to spend each day helping children and families. Yes, at times it is stressful, but working hard for this school district and community is my passion. Every day, I get to do something that I love and hope to make a difference. All I know is that I would not trade it for the world!”

Mrs. Hunter loves her position at Columbia Upper Elementary.  She said that she receives much joy and hugs every day.  She continued by saying that, “It warms my heart and it keeps me going!” She added, “Every day the students bring a smile to my face and I love to watch them grow!”

Mrs. Hunter is a Golden Eagle for life!  She commented that, “I have had the pleasure of working with generations of families. Many of those I once had as students at COHS now have children of their own. It is incredible to see those I once had as students now flourish as parents.”  She continued by saying, “I am proud to say that it is an honor to be a part of this amazing school district that I call part of my family and it is a “Great Day to be a Golden Eagle!”

Making A Difference Every Day: Kristy Hannewald!

Columbia Options High School administrative assistant Kristy Hannewald was honored with the “You Make A Difference Award” this year.  Kristy is well loved by the students and staff members at Options High School.  When asked what she liked about her position at Options High School, she said, “Working with the students here at Columbia is rewarding to me. I enjoy being a part of the students’ development, as I help create a loving atmosphere and a constant in their lives.”

Kristy Hannewald began as an integral Columbia School District team member in the transportation department as a driver and secretary.  During her time serving the Columbia School family she has also been the Columbia Community Fitness Center Director and the Columbia Central Junior High secretary.  Her love for supporting our students, teachers, and community members has made interactions with Kristy a positive experience. 

Kristy works to motivate the Columbia Options High School students by encouraging them to exceed their expectations and their past academic performance.  Her caring and nurturing spirit supports the students both academically and socially.  She said that, “The position that I hold at the Alternative building has been so positive. In the two years that I have held the position, I have been able to listen and direct some students in a positive direction to help them accomplish their goals.”

Mrs. Hannewald is greatly appreciated by her fellow staff members.  They appreciate her ability to play an integral part of the leadership team.  Mrs. Hannewald says she is so blessed to have a job in which every day is diverse, and is so privileged to work in the satisfying, life-changing career of being the administrative assistant for such fabulous students and staff members.  She continued by saying, “I am truly blessed to be in the position that I am in, surrounded by my students and staff in a district that I call my second family.”  If you are interested in learning more about Columbia School District and our programs, email me at Pamela.Campbell@myeagles.org or call 5175926641.

Annette Friday: CUES Teacher of the Year!

Columbia Upper Elementary sixth grade teacher Annette Friday was chosen as the Teacher of the Year by her fellow teachers and staff members.  Each and every day she gives 100% to her students.  She says that, “My foray into teaching began with the hope of making a difference in the lives of children.”  This statement is obvious when you watch her with her students.  Columbia Upper Elementary principal Jennifer VanWagnen mentioned that Annette is a caring teacher and continued by saying, “Mrs. Friday is very accommodating to individual student needs and she designs her instruction accordingly. She frequently uses small group stations in her classroom. Mrs. Friday spends hours crafting her lesson plans, and has created new lessons that require higher-order thinking and application.”

Annette works with her students to support them as they grow and mature.  She works with them to help keep them focused on becoming successful, both in school and in life.  She said that she firmly believes that her students can achieve anything they set their minds to do.  She continued by saying, “My hope is to create a classroom experience of collective courage as we all stretch ourselves, make mistakes and grow. It’s not just about growing academically but evolving as human beings whose purpose goes beyond the classroom and into the world as a whole.”

Columbia Upper Elementary is fortunate to have Annette as part of the teaching team.  She brings an energy and positive spirit to the school.  She mentioned that she loves teaching at Columbia “because I am surrounded by caring professionals who lift one another up and share this passion.”  Principal VanWagnen talks about Mrs. Friday with great respect for her ability to communicate with her students and her drive to continue to improve her own knowledge of teaching.  She said, “Mrs. Friday is a lifelong learner. She works diligently to expand her repertoire and knowledge of both pedagogy and content specific information.”

As we celebrate Mrs. Friday as the CUES Teacher of the Year we appreciate her diligence and intense spirit of caring and consideration of her students’ best interest.  She commented that, “Ours is an environment where we seek out opportunities to share insights and strategies with the ultimate goal of serving our students with excellence. I want my students to know that I am invested in helping them to be the best version of themselves they can possibly be.”  Thank you Mrs. Friday for all you do for our precious Columbia students!

If you are interested in learning more about Columbia Schools, email Pamela.Campbell@myeagles.org or call 5175926641.

Columbia Options Teacher of the Year: Mrs. Adams!

“If a student knows they are safe, they are free to learn and bloom,” said Melissa Adams as she was discussing her love for teaching at Columbia Options High School.  Melissa cares a lot for her students and continued by saying, “Each student deserves to know they are special.”  Her focus is to “build students up from the inside out.”  She commented that she tries “to build a relationship based on respect and trust.”  She mentioned that, “A student who is cared for can develop not only the skills required to be an excellent student, but learn those that will build a fulfilling life.”

Melissa began working in the Columbia School District as a substitute teacher.  After several years, she took an interim position working with our Adult Education students.  She was very excited when she learned that there was an opening in the social studies program at Columbia Options High School.  During her time at Options, she has worked diligently and now is also certified as an English teacher.  Mrs. Klink, Columbia Options High School principal said, “Melissa is such a hard worker and always goes above and beyond.”  Melissa was honored by her fellow teachers and staff members at COHS by being selected as the Teacher of the Year this year. 

Melissa talked about her love of teaching and said, “I love to educate the whole child. I love to see them trust themselves.”  As she continued, she said, “I look forward to seeing my students gain the confidence to explore learning. When they learn to unpack information they are given and build their own questions and discoveries, I have done my job.”  As a teacher in Columbia, Mrs. Adams feels that, “In today's world students need to have more than a basic education. I am proud to work in a district where caring staff helps develop today's youth into a strong generation of strong self-reliant adults.” If you are interested in learning more about Columbia School District and our programs, email me at Pamela.Campbell@myeagles.org or call 5175926641.