Columbia Hero! Introducing Mrs. Thacher

 

Mrs. Thacher is a teacher at Columbia Upper Elementary.  Her positive and energetic personality invigorates her students.  She says, “I love the energy that my students bring to the classroom. We always manage to make a lesson become engaging and adaptable to other concepts.”  Mrs. Thacher is a Columbia Hero!  She was nominated by a parent of one of her students.  The parents commented, “I would like to recognize Jackie Thacher. She is one of the most amazing teachers I have ever met. She strives for positive relationships with her class.”

Throughout this critical year, Mrs. Thacher has worked alongside her peers to innovate and create educational opportunities for her students.  When talking about teaching during this time, she said, “I enjoy having the opportunity to work with students of all backgrounds and find ways to continually update my teacher "tool bag" with new ideas.”  Although it has been challenging to have her students online due to the virus at times this year, she mentioned, “I enjoy finding new ways to celebrate overcoming challenges, such as taking the class sledding after missing our Christmas party due to virtual learning.”

When nominating Mrs. Thacher for recognition as a Columbia Hero, the parent wrote, “I’ve never met someone so dedicated and so authentic. During our time remote, she delivered books and resources to each of her students’ homes. This is a small indicator of how passionate she is for the children in her classroom. She is the kindling that really ignited the fire of learning for our son. She is a true hero in education, and we are so blessed that we have the amazing ability to have her in our life.”

Mrs. Thacher is delighted to have her students in the classroom so they can learn Face to Face!  She is passionate about literacy and wants to have her students develop a love for reading.  She believes reading is not just for elementary students, but that developing a life-long love for reading is important for her pupils.  She commented that, “It is a joy to have students become excited about new books being added to our classroom and providing the opportunity for the students to select books they want in their classroom library from book catalogs.”

The Columbia School District is fortunate to have excellent teachers who have achieved Hero status
during this critical time in our community.  Mrs. Thacher has touched the lives of her students and their families due to her caring demeanor and positive impact.  She said that she loves the fact that “we are truly a classroom family. We work on supporting one another and helping each other accomplish everyday tasks and goals.”  Thank you Mrs. Thacher for your passion for educating Columbia students!  If you are interested in learning more about Columbia School District, please email me at Pamela.Campbell@myeagles.org or call 5175926641.

Columbia Hero: Mr. Clanton!

When we download apps they ask all about us.  The app developers want to know all of our personal information: Our location, our address, and various other bits of information.  In Columbia, unlike app developers, our teachers know all about our students.  Our teachers pay special attention to their pupils and focus the educational activities to help promote successful academic development.

Our teachers have given extra attention to their students over the past year.  They have developed special digitized interactive websites to help their students feel comfortable in the new learning platform.  In addition, Columbia School District teachers returned to school last fall to make sure that their student had every opportunity to learn in the most positive environment possible.

Columbia Elementary teachers Mr. Clanton was nominated as a Columbia Hero by Dalana Trumble and her son Dalton.  They said that Mr. Clanton, who teaches second grade, used inventive and creative activities to help motivate his students.  One activity he used was a class auction.  Mr. Clanton would give students “Clanton Dollars.”  The students earned the Clanton dollars for each page in the books that they read. 

Ms. Trumble, went on to say, “That Mr. Clanton is a great communicator to students and parents, and
conveys a passion for truly connecting with his students.”  She commented that, “He made Dalton feel like an All Star.”  When Mr. Clanton was notified that he had been nominated as a Columbia Hero, he said that “CES is my home away from home.  I love building relationships with my students.  Teaching them that life has so much to offer.  I love our classroom environment where we truly are a family, helping them to realize their potential.” 

Ms. Trumble noted that it was easy to tell that Mr. Clanton cared for his students.  She commented, “By far, Mr. Clanton has been Dalton’s favorite teacher. And even though the school year was cut short last year from COVID, the Trumble family appreciates the time that Mr. Clanton was Dalton’s teacher.”  When talking about his students actively learning in his classroom, Mr. Clanton said, “I love to see their faces light up with amazement as they learn something new or they have finally ‘gotten it’ after persevering for days, weeks, or even months on something.   I love being able to teach them what it takes to be their best day in and day out and to truly be an ‘all-star.’”  If you are interested in learning more about our Columbia Heroes and the great programs at Columbia, email me at Pamela.Campbell@myeagles.org or call 5175926641.

Mrs. Howland: A Columbia School District Hero!

During this past year Columbia School District teachers and their students have learned to work together in a new way.  Working side by side, sometimes across Zoom, our teachers have developed new activities to increase the academic skills of their students.  Last spring as they worked from home, our teachers made sure that their students had paper packets and all of the material they needed to succeed.  This fall Columbia teachers and staff bravely came back to their classrooms because they believed that being in person would benefit their students. 

Columbia School District teachers have continued making a difference in the lives of our students throughout the year and have become heroes to our community of learners.  Mrs. Howland was nominated by Kari Vinson as a Columbia Hero!  Jennifer Howland has exhibited creativity and ingenuity.  Her intensive exhibition of teaching excellence has allowed her kindergarten students to continue to learn and grow.  When talking about how much she likes teaching, Jen said, “I get to see so many smiling faces each day, get a million hugs, and watch the children grow year after year.”   She continued by commenting, “I love getting to know each child and finding their spark for learning and helping it to grow and flourish.”

When nominating Jennifer as a Columbia Hero, Ms. Vinson said that Mrs. Howland “has gone above and beyond in this very difficult year.”  When learning more about Mrs. Howland’s classroom, it is easy to see the results of her dedication to her students.  In her nomination, Kari Vinson said, “My daughter absolutely adores her and enjoys coming to school.”  When hearing about the nomination, Mrs. Howland explained that her joy in teaching is enhanced when her students are making academic gains.  She exclaimed, “I love being able to see the moment when the children master a new concept.”

This year, one of the responsibilities of our fabulous teachers was to adjust the curriculum to take their students from learning in the classroom, to learning virtually.  When creatively thinking about making the adjustments in programming for her kindergartners, Mrs. Howland continually focused on activities that would make an impact.  Mrs. Vinson explained how pleased she was with her daughter’s experience.  She wrote that, “While we were on virtual, Jen's Google classroom was AMAZING, she put so much into it for us parents and for her students.”

Mrs. Howland represents Columbia teachers with her positive attitude and love of her students.  She mentioned that she “loves being able to wake up each day and come to a job I love at a place I love.”  She explained, “I love new beginnings and being part of something magical… teaching our young learners.”  Thank you to Mrs. Howland a Columbia Hero, for being an amazing teacher and making a difference in her students’ lives each and every day!
 

CSD Hero! Columbia Central Jr. Sr. High School Teacher Mr. Jackson!

This past year has been brought about a myriad of changes.  Our teachers have worked collaboratively to develop innovative programs, learned to teach on new educational platforms and worked to help their students fulfill their academic potential.  Columbia teachers revised their curriculum to give our students a chance to learn online or in person, even if the rules changed from day to day.

During this winter semester, I asked community members, parents, teachers, staff members and students to nominate one of our teachers or staff members as a Columbia Hero! These Columbia Heroes have put their heart and soul into reaching out to their students in new and different ways.  The creativity and ingenuity exhibited by these special teachers have allowed our Columbia pupils to continue to learn and grow.

One of the nominated Heroes is Columbia Central Junior – Senior High School Spanish teacher, Derek Jackson.  Mr. Jackson was nominated as a Columbia Hero by Ondrea Bayes and Jen Steele.  Ondrea wrote that he is “an absolutely amazing teacher!”  She went on to say that, “You can tell he genuinely cares about his students.”  Jen commented that Mr. Jackson “has a zest for teaching.’  She continued by painting a picture of Mr. Jackson as an energetic, exuberant teacher, who connects with his students in an “impressive and incredibly important” way.

When writing about how Mr. Jackson comes across on the Zoom platform during virtual learning, Ms. Bayes said that his teaching methods are creative.  She mentioned that “there’s always laughter when he is teaching.”  She continued by saying that she ‘wished that she had a teacher like that when she was in school!”  Mrs. Steele agreed and wrote that Mr. Jackson could see the “big picture on the lives of his students.”  She commented that, he works to “cultivate relationships where his students feel loved and respected.” 

Jen wrote about how Mr. Jackson has had a tremendous impact on her kids.  She mentioned that his “influence has given her son the desire to become an educator.”  She continued by saying that she “feels incredibly blessed to have a teacher like him in our district.”  She mentioned that, “We are truly lucky to have him” teaching at Columbia.  

When talking to Mr. Jackson about his nomination as a Columbia School District Hero, he said, “I love my students. They are the reason I continue to implement engaging, meaningful activities in the classroom.”  He continued by saying that, “the relationships I build and nurture with my students are reinforced in our daily interactions.  I thrive when I see them excel in their endeavors and explore their potential.”  Mr. Jackson mentioned that his “colleagues are top-notch educators who strive for excellence and push me to be the best I can be for my students.”  He added that “Columbia Central administrators provide opportunities for personal and professional growth in and outside of the classroom. I strongly believe that I am a better person with their guidance and leadership.”  If you are interested in learning more about Columbia School District, call me at 5175926641 or email me at Pamela.Campbell@myeagles.org .

Columbia Hero: Teacher Jessica White!

Columbia School District has fabulous teachers.  During this critical time, our teachers have stepped up their focus, developed new programs and worked to help their students fulfill their academic potential.  Beginning last March, Columbia teachers revised their curriculum to give our students a chance to learn whether they were in person, working Face to Face or completing their curriculum in a distance learning or virtual way.

During this winter semester, I asked community members, parents, teachers, staff members and students to nominate one of our teachers or staff members as a Columbia Hero! These Columbia Heroes have put their heart and soul into reaching out to their students in new and different ways.  The creativity and ingenuity exhibited by these special teachers have allowed our Columbia pupils to continue to learn and grow.

One of the nominated Heroes is Columbia Central Junior High School resource room teacher, Jessica White.  Miss White has been teaching at Columbia for several years.  She was nominated as a Hero by one of her former students, Joe Haeussler.  Joe wrote that he has known Miss White since his fifth grade year.  He continued by saying that she was instrumental in assisting him with his struggles when he returned to school after being struck by a car. 

Joe said that she is a Hero because “she goes above and beyond.”  He mentioned that she deserves this award because she is the teacher who has shown the highest level of care and that he could always count on Miss White.  He said, “She is honestly the greatest and I think she is more than deserving of this award.”

When hearing that she was nominated for the Columbia Hero Award, Miss White talked about the fact that she loves teaching at Columbia Central Junior High School.  She said that the students “make coming to school fun and they make work interesting.”  As a Columbia Hero, Miss White believes that her students are very caring.  Her attitude is one of positivity and a belief that all children can succeed in school and in life.

Congratulations to our Columbia School District Hero Jessica White!  Her determination to make a difference in the lives of our students and give them an opportunity to grow and mature, has made a positive impact on hundreds of children.  If you see Miss White, please tell her “Thank You” for all she does each and every day for our students!  If you are interested in learning more about Columbia School District, please contact me at 5175926641 or email Pamela.Campbell@myeagles.org .

Building a Community of Learners at Columbia!

Over the past several years I have had the opportunity to gather various pieces of coral that have washed up on beaches.  The coral is beautiful, and full of intricate designs made from their former inhabitants.  Although coral seems like nothing more than rock once it washes up on the shore, it represents a piece of a former colony that was bursting with marine animal life.  In much the same way, our brick and mortar school buildings may look like any other structure, but they are bursting with life and activities.  Our precious students and staff members have built an amazing impactful teaching and learning colony filled with mutual respect and passions for education.

Our staff members actively reach out to students, whether they are in person in the classroom, or participating through a virtual portal.  Our teachers and staff work with their students to establish an environment that becomes a community of learners.  Our staff members work together in a collaborative and cooperative manner to make sure that the community is a positive environment that is bursting with energy and camaraderie. 

Our teachers actively work to cultivate a respectful, caring connection between those in the community of learners. By supporting their students and enabling them to learn and succeed, Columbia teachers show that they have nurturing hearts aimed at a positive environment.  The amazing classroom environments, help reassure our parents so that they may take active roles in their child’s education.

Columbia teachers work together to emphasize common beliefs and goals.  They focus on incorporating the school improvement plans and the Columbia Strategic Plan into their classroom to help develop a strong sense of community.  By integrating character qualities of positive work ethic, fairness, responsibility, caring and kindness, our students share in the enactment of the school’s values.

In addition to providing opportunities for their students to learn about community values of service and cooperation, they make it possible for our students to collaborate with their peers as they develop a love for learning, while making friendships that will last a lifetime.  Columbia students experience the opportunity to learn while they contribute to the greater community by donating to food drives, toy donations, and a focus on making the Brooklyn area a better place to live.

As I look at the pieces of coral, most of them are small and seemingly inconsequential, I think about how important it is that our student community is made up of individual children who, as they come together, are building a strong, cohesive society.  By establishing a positive climate in the classroom and in the school, our teachers and staff members prepare our students for the complexities they will encounter as they build towards a successful future.  If you are interested in learning more about Columbia School District and our fabulous teachers and staff members, please email me at Pamela.Campbell@myeagles.org or call 5175926641.

Thank You to Our Columbia Board Members!

Recently I was reading about the duties and role of the school board.  On one of the websites, they depicted the work of school board leaders as “helping kids soar to success.”  I had never heard that description, but it is perfect!  Officially our school board members listen to the community, make policy and set the budget.  However the magic of our school board is their “helping kids soar to success” activities.  Inevitably, you will see them at musicals, band concerts, and football and basketball games.  They attend community meetings, parent teacher conferences and the Hope Run. 

January is School Board Appreciation Month.  This month gives us an opportunity to recognize the service and selfless time given by seven individuals in our community for the benefit of our schools. As the board members help kids soar to success, they continually imagine the future for our students. We all have hopes and dreams for each child in our community to have a successful future.

January is a great time to focus on the crucial and critical role the school board plays in Columbia School District.  Their focus on success for all of our students, takes dedication. Their actions and decisions affect the present and future lives of our children.  Their service to the community includes caring for students, parents, staff members and administrators.  They carefully examine all sides of a policy or an issue prior to making a decision.  Through their decisions, they are laying a pathway for the future of our school district.

School board members take their responsibility and public trust very seriously, dedicating an enormous number of hours to their work both in and outside of board meetings. Attending school functions, preparing for board meetings, reading financial reports, agendas and proposals, and making a host of difficult and challenging decisions are just a few of the regular activities board members participate in through their service.

Today, more than ever, school board leaders are faced with the overwhelming charge of providing a quality education at a time when financial constraints weigh heavily on the health of school district budgets. In an era of unprecedented choice in education, school boards are also tasked with charting a course that provides long-term, sustainable success for current and future students in all of Michigan’s public schools.

This year much of the focus of our seven school board members will be collaborating with the teachers, administration, community and the superintendent to establish a Strategic Plan.  They will spend countless hours working and focusing on increasing student achievement and planning for the future of the Columbia School District. 

The 2021 School Board is made up of seven energetic, tenacious community members, who are: Bob Wahr, Garrick Zuver, Brian Knapp, Chris Holbert, Lindsey Schiel, Kyle Bamm, and Jennifer Steele.  These seven fine individuals make up an efficient and effective board that has taken on the huge responsibility and challenge of working together to lead the way in the Columbia School District.  Their ability to work as a team will help increase the effectiveness of the district and give our students the optimum opportunity to succeed now and into the future.