Saturday, January 18, 2020

Honor Educators

Cambridge dictionary defines honor, when used as a verb, in the following way:

  • to show great respect for someone, especially in public
  • to give someone a public reward to show appreciation for unusual achievement
We honor people in a number of different ways.  On a grand scale, we set aside holidays, we build monuments, and we name buildings to honor those who have had a major impact on society or who have made significant contributions to our world.  We also honor people with ceremonies, assemblies or dinner events, where we present them with with certificates, trophies, or gifts.   Educators throughout history have been honored in many ways, sometimes in a public manner, but more often through private means such as notes from students or families and passing comments from students or peers. 

All educators deserve to be honored, and I am always so pleased when I see people being intentional about honoring them in a public way.  In fact, our office has recently decided to begin hosting a yearly Educator Gala to honor and celebrate the educators in our region.  As we plan, however, I want to ensure that we are deliberate in honoring ALL of the most deserving members of the educational community.  Unfortunately, I have seen too many instances where the loudest and flashiest educators are recognized while the ones who work more quietly and thoughtfully in the background are overlooked.  Often the latter group educators is made up of the ones who do not want the extra attention or the accolades, however it is just as important for them to be honored publicly.

Recognition intended to honor people does not have to be costly or time intensive, but it must be genuine, authentic, and relevant.  West Aurora School District 129 has established an annual recognition, called The Power of You, which is a ceremony embedded in their January School Improvement day. I was honored to be invited to witness this  year's amazing event and it did not disapooint.  I was completely blown away by the professional approach they took in honoring and celebrating educators in an incredibly genuine and authentic way.  It is extremely relevant because it is focused on their vision and it honors members of their community past and present.  It is held on a school improvement day, allowing all 1200 members of their staff to be present.  Furthermore, it is held at West Aurora High School and is supported by their own tech and operations staff, making it fiscally manageable.  

The morning started off with a 3 minute video of short clips of students, staff, and families engaged in a variety of activities throughout the school district and community.   The lights dimmed and the large audience was welcomed by assistant superintendent, Dr. Brent Raby, who reiterated the theme for the year, which is Embrace the Journey.   The next 90 minutes was devoted to honoring and celebrating members past and present of the West Aurora community.  Dr. Michael Smith, assistant superintendent, called the teachers who became National Board Certified Teachers within the last year to the stage and presented them with certificates so they could be celebrated by all of their peers.  Next, three teachers were presented with scholarships providing them the financial support to attend a national conference of their choice where they will extend their learning and then return to share their learning with other educators in the West Aurora district.  Dr. Jeff Craig, superintendent, presented customized Challenge Coins (pictured below) to five West Aurora leaders who have demonstrated commitment, courage, excellence and integrity as they have dedicated their lives to their community and schools.  
I especially loved the next part of the ceremony where educators were presented with the Golden Apple award, which Dr. Craig described as the highest honor awarded to educators in West Aurora.  Eight educators, including an administrative assistant, a paraprofessional, an operations employee, and a variety of teachers, were named Golden Apple Award recipients.  They were invited to the stage where they were met by family members and presented with a gift and flowers.  While they were on the stage, a video of their peers and students talking about whey they deserve to be honored was shared.  The response from the crowd and the heartfelt testimonials brought me to tears despite the fact that I did not know a single one of the educators being honored.  The recognition part of the morning was closed out with an on stage recognition of all staff members who have served 25 years.  

My emotions continued to be tested by the final part of this amazing experience, which was the 2020 West Talks (click here to see videos of other West Talks from previous years).  In line with the theme, Embrace the Journey, two current teachers and one former student shared their journeys, which included struggle, but also a resilience which was supported and inspired by caring people.  I cannot really do them justice without making this blog way too long, so I encourage you to keep checking the link above too that when they are posted, you can watch them for yourself.  

Well done, D129.  You made it a priority to take 90 minutes out of your school improvement day to build community, appreciate your staff, and honor and celebrate what matters most.  

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