District Administrator's Corner

by Loren Glasbrenner River Valley School District Administrator The River Valley School District is fortunate.  We employ incredible professionals to teach, support, and serve our students.  They are creative, inclusive, and inspiring.  Here are details and facts about your River Valley School District staff: • 103 teachers • Three principals • Two school nurses and one health assistant • Four districtwide administrators • Two computer and network operation employees • 27 teaching assistants • One school psychologist • 11 food service employees • Eight school administrative assistants • Three district office administrative assistants It is an incredible team.  With this week being Teacher Appreciation Week (May 3-7), it is impossible for me to celebrate the teachers without celebrating the entire team of people that support our families.  Yet, let me also make note what it is to choose the field of education. It is a choice to study the field of education and find a focus area that aligns with you.  To teach a subject well is not just a responsibility, it is a privilege.  Teachers in public school teach all children—they reject no one.  Teachers don’t pick their careers for the money and many teachers pay-out-of-pocket for materials to make sure content is relevant and engaging for students. Teachers support families.  I have already experienced teams of River Valley educators helping feed, clothe, and support student needs beyond the school day.  In order for a student to succeed, teachers take the steps to listen, problem solve, and make sure students are taken care of so they can learn.  Teachers have found new ways to report progress to families in order to keep them involved.  They find resources. Teachers encourage students by making learning fun.  Whether it is a field trip to Devil’s Lake State Park, hatching chicks to examine the life cycle, designing homes in a woodworking class, writing a persuasive essay after researching current events, learning how to throw a frisbee, or debating statistical data--teachers create interest. Teachers believe in the future of our community.  They come to work each day and learn themselves.  Teachers model learning while teaching our students.  They develop new techniques while holding on to their purpose of educating our future leaders.  Simply, they don’t give up. Within the 103 educators that teach our students in the River Valley School District, there is a collective 1,937 years of total experience.  That is an incredible amount of collective wisdom. How fortunate we are to have their expertise building a better future for our students! When you see an educator this week, recognize this expertise and say thank you.  Send an educator a note or a quick email.  They deserve our gratitude.