Cheers & Tears: District 45 recognizes teachers of year, retirees

The Barnwell School District 45 (BSD45) Warhorse family came together to hold their end-of-year celebration. Administrators and fellow educators shared kind words about new retirees, each school’s Teacher of the Year, and the District Teacher of the Year.

Superintendent Dr. Crissie Stapleton described the 2022-23 school year as a whirlwind ending in this celebration. The breakfast buffet was brought back this year by the BSD45 Teacher Forum to further show the district’s appreciation for its educators.

“To all of our staff members, we thank you again for all you do,” said Dr. Stapleton. “Thank you for being the light for those around you, and please continue to shine bright. We look forward to seeing you again at the start of the 2023-2024 school year!”

Under the theme “See the Good, Be the Light, and Make the Difference,” executive assistant to the superintendent Tina Smith decorated each table with a lightbulb centerpiece and goodie bags with words of wisdom speaking to the theme.

DISTRICT 45 TEACHER OF THE YEAR

Tanya Anderson was named the Barnwell Elementary School (BES) Teacher of the Year as well as the BSD45 District Teacher of the Year.

Cheers and tears erupted from the crowd when Anderson’s name was announced as the new District Teacher of the Year.

According to Anderson, “it is pressing that the public understands that it truly takes a village, and we need to work together for the good of the students.”

She grew up with family members who exemplified this. Dr. Stapleton read a bit about where Anderson’s love for teaching began before announcing the district-wide recognition.

“Our new District Teacher of the Year recently talked about what factors influenced her to become a teacher,” said Dr. Stapleton. “She told of her grandparents who encouraged her to achieve greatness and they both supported her dreams. She told of her aunts fostering her love of teaching and how her younger family members were forced to be her students. She also told how her grandparents were the administrators of her school.”

Anderson taught her younger cousins and children in the neighborhood by writing lesson plans and keeping track of grades in a grade book.

Her grandfather would do observations of her classroom and her grandmother would evaluate her lesson plans.

“It was known by everyone that I was going to become a teacher,” said Anderson.

Anderson’s grandfather passed away before he was able to see her fulfill her dreams and graduate college.

“I smiled knowing that my first administrator prepared me well,” said Anderson. “I am truly a blessed child because most children looked up to movie stars and entertainers, but I had my very own stars right there beside me. My grandparents told me that it was my calling and I still know that it is almost 25 years later.”

“That story speaks to my heart, and those are powerful words from a dynamic educator. We are so glad that this individual’s grandparents guided her to be a dynamic presence in the lives of so many students,” said Dr. Stapleton.

Anderson finds teachers often become who their students need and encourages educators to work together to “improve the journey of our youth.”

When named District Teacher of the Year, Anderson also received gifts, a planter full of flowers, a picnic basket with special treats, a Teacher of the Year ring, and a $1,000 check.

TEACHERS OF THE YEAR

Jenny Raines, the BSD45 Teacher Forum president, and outgoing BSD45 Teacher of the Year Deanna Grubbs presented each school’s Teacher of the Year with a gift bag, a charcuterie board, and a plaque.

Lisa Collins was cheered on by her family as she was named the BPS Teacher of the Year.

“We asked each school-level Teacher of the Year what their message to teachers would be,” said Dr. Stapleton.

Collins responded, “I would tell teachers to stay the course. It’s worth it. Teaching is not always easy and it has many ups and downs, but the rewards are plentiful. Continue to shine, even when you think your hard work is unnoticed. There is always a student somewhere that notices.”

She states being a teacher requires a “love of children, lifelong learning, adaptability, empathy, and patience.”

“Teaching is about knowing each child's individual needs and collaborating with everyone in that child's circle of love to help create a safe, secure, and engaging learning environment, where we can enrich and excite young minds and create a firm educational foundation for them to grow as successful, lifelong learners,” said Collins.

Alex Kinard was named the GBMS Teacher of the Year after joining the district only at the start of the school year. Kinard teaches seventh grade science and STAR Academy science.

Kinard refers to teaching as “watering the garden of tomorrow.”

“Our students are seeds that are growing over time and we are sowing them. But, we may not be able to reap from their growth in our time but they will grow,” said Kinard.

“Our experiences may be rough at times, but they make us a better teacher for our students. We have the opportunity to celebrate with our kids on the small things and the big things. We can make a difference in our kids' lives,” said Kinard.

Lainey Burdge, an English teacher, was named BHS Teacher of the Year.

According to Burdge, teachers are thought of as ‘world changers.’ She explains how the pressure can feel overwhelming.

“How do we, mere teachers, administrators and staff members, manage to change the world?” asked Burdge. “We do it with a kind word, a quick check-in to see how that ball game went or if that sick family member is healing, a compliment, warm smile, a fist bump or a hug.”

“This is how we change ourselves, our classrooms, our students, our communities, and our world, one small deliberate action at a time. That is our superpower. Building a relationship with our students paves the way for true learning and growth to take place. Each day, we must choose to do something, however small it may be, to leave our students better than they were the day before,” said Burdge.

RETIREES

The district also recognized several retirees for their years of service.

“On behalf of the district, I would like to extend our heartfelt gratitude to each of the retirees. “I thank you for your commitment to our students,” said Dr. Stapleton. “I feel truly blessed to play a part in honoring such an amazing group of educators and professionals that have dedicated their careers to making a difference in the lives of children. We wish you the best in your retirement and will always consider you an important part of the BSD45 family.”

“It is an honor today to acknowledge our staff members who are retiring and have dedicated so many years of service to their careers in education,” said Dr. Stapleton. “We will dearly miss these individuals and we sincerely appreciate the difference they have made in the lives of our students each and every day.”

Joye Kinard’s retirement after 47 years of teaching was described as a “bittersweet moment” by Guinyard-Butler Middle School (GBMS) Principal Henrietta Williams.

Kinard has already retired once, according to Williams, but her commitment to the children brought her back.

As a special education department (SPED) specialist, Kinard enters the building every day and implements the individual learning plan she has created for each of her students.

Williams described her as “a light.”

“If I had all day and all the words in the world, it still wouldn’t be enough,” said Williams.

Sherry Cooler guided GBMS using her 33 years of experience and commitment, which Williams finds irreplaceable.

“She set her schedule based on the needs of our school,” said Williams.

She described Cooler as a “lifeline” who supported her through it all and mapped out unfamiliar ground.

“I wouldn't have made it without you,” said Williams.

She is described as “dedicated to helping students get the most out of school and helping them handle all types of problems,” according to a post by GBMS on Facebook.

“I am happy that I’ve had the opportunity to work with Mrs. Cooler,” said former GBMS Principal Michael Beasley, who is now the district’s director of operations. “She demonstrates what a school counselor should be.”

Dawn Searson has been an educator for 31 years and spent the last five at Barnwell High School (BHS) as a SPED teacher.

“We will miss you tremendously, but we wish you the best,” said BHS Assistant Principal Jared Thrasher.

Dr. Jessica Brabham-James, BHS assistant principal, said kind words of Searson, describing her as prepared, strong, kind, thoughtful, dedicated, and patient.

Sylvia Wallace has spent 33 dedicated years at Barnwell Primary School (BPS).

“She is just one of those amazing people,” said BPS principal Donna Selvey of the teacher’s assistant.

Wallace was described by Selvey as consistent, dependable, and reliable.

“Ms. Wallace is one who will take their hand and say, ‘yes you will,’ said Selvey.

Minnie Robinson was not in attendance at the event but is retiring from the transportation department after 33 years.