Tecumseh Public Schools Teacher Luncheon

Terri Williams, Amber O'Shell, Kara McLain, Angela Paige, Ashley Steward, Angie Henson, Jennifer Lewis and Katie Marrs were honored at the Tecumseh Chamber of Commerce Teacher Luncheon on April 21. Photos by Julie Talton, Countywide & Sun

Chamber Director Kim Elliott closed out the Chamber of Commerce Teacher Appreciation Luncheon by saying, "Everything that we heard today wasn't about the curriculum that you're doing. It's not about all the events. It was literally about every single teacher that was awarded today ... about the way you make your students feel. They feel like they belong. They feel loved. Thank you for being those people in our children's lives."

Angie Henson, Lola C. Durham Award Principal Griggs says, "her learning extends far beyond the classroom. Mrs. Henson carries the same philosophy into her own teaching, creating an environment where students feel safe to take risks and break, embrace mistakes and develop a lifelong love of learning. In addition to her work in the classroom, she is also our department head. She does important mentoring of young teachers in our building, and she's continuously seeking ways to improve instruction.

Superintendent Robby Kinsey addressed the audience at the Chamber of Commerce Teacher Appreciation Luncheon on April 21. Photos by Julie Talton, Countywide & Sun.

Jennifer Lewis, Presidents' Award Principal Drew says, "She always kind of knows what's going on in the background. And I think as educators, we look at the whole child, the whole situation, and she has a real heart for families. She is a graduate of Tecumseh, so she knows the community, and I think that she brings that into her classroom...I asked the kids about you, and here's what they said, 'She's crazy. Her class is awesome.' They too, said 'she loves us.'"

Katie Marrs, Lola C. Durham Award Principal Drew says, "She's always busy, always doing something, and we're so very proud. I asked the kids about Katie. I said, ‘talk to me and tell me about Miss Marrs. And what is it about her classroom that you love?’ And here were some of the comments that they said: they said ‘she makes math fun.’ Another student said 'she's really cool.’ Another student said ‘she loves us.’ That one, you know, that's what it's all about, isn't it, for kids to love school.

Kara McLain, Lola C. Durham Award Principal Lisa Thompson say this, "She serves in one of the most challenging and important roles on our campus, and it has made a difference in many people's lives, including mine. This is a place where students come when they're when they're faced with significant behavioral challenges. But under her guidance, the Climb Room becomes so much more than a consequence. It becomes a place for growth and reflection and hope.

Amber O'Shell, Presidents' Award Principal Buchanan had this to say,"Amber is currently in her eighth year of teaching tiny humans how to read, write and not lose their shoes. She's passionate about creating a classroom where learning is fun, engaging and occasionally a little loud. She spends her day sounding out words, solving math problems, answering very important questions, like, can I go to the bathroom and is it fun Friday? Amber believes in building strong relationships with her students.

Angela Paige, Presidents' Award. TECC Principal Giaudrone said this about her, "She loves big and I mean big! Her classroom is a very welcoming environment. It's like a little miniature beauty shop, because boys or girls, if they can come into her classroom and their hair is not done, they don't leave without a bow, a ponytail, or something each and every day. Iit doesn't even have to be someone that's in her class. She spends a lot of her own money purchasing those bows and shoes and all of those things.

Ashley Steward, Presidents' Award Principal Giaudrone described Steward by saying, "Not only does she love big, she loves the challenging kiddos. So not just the kiddos that come in and are well behaved and sitting at their desk. Ashley loves the ones that give her a little bit of a run for her money. ...She currently is in our role of Instructional Coach. So she helps the teachers, helps students, and helps me."

Terri Williams, Lola C. Durham Award Principal Buchanan said this of her and her welcoming room, "She calls it the porch. When you walk in, it actually looks like a porch. There's a picnic table and there's Adirondack chairs. Her room is that place where the kids know they can go and have someone that can listen to them and understands them. They know that they are safe. She makes all of our children feel safe, and that's so important to us at Bernard."