Teacher Appreciation Week celebrated

MINERAL COUNTY – Students from all across Mineral County took some time last week to celebrate a few of the people in their lives who devote their time and energy into making sure students receive a quality education.

Last week was Teacher Appreciation Week and some students took advantage of the occasion to say why they like their teachers. In St. Regis, some elementary school students said they liked their teachers for a wide variety of reasons. Shelby Simkins was very outspoken about her feelings toward her first grade teacher, Seth Barnes-Smith.

“He’s really talented and he does a lot of funny stuff,” Simkins said. “He makes art with us and teaches us French.”

Haley Jade said her kindergarten teacher, Mallory McEldery, was also a fun person to have at the helm of the classroom.

“She lets us do art,” Jade said. “She also teaches us math.”

Jim Kelly said his third grade teacher, Julie Burklund, is in the habit of making her classroom a fun environment in which to learn.

“She always has something fun for us to do,” Kelly said. “It’s not always just work, work, work. Sometimes we get to take a break during the day to read. I have fun reading now.”

Jeremy Haig said his second grade teacher, Rachel Wagner, followed in the footsteps of other teachers at the St. Regis Elementary School by turning learning into an entertaining experience.

“She’s funny,” Haig said. “And she’s nice.”

Students at the Superior Elementary School also had nice things to say about their teachers last week in honor of Teacher Appreciation Week. Sadie and Sidney Smalley said they liked their teachers because of how they conducted their respective classrooms. Sadie said her teacher, Trish Donovan, was always there to lend extra help when needed.

“She’s nice and really fun to work with,” Smalley said. “If you need help, she will come and help you. She has fun activities for us to do. She’s the best teacher ever.”

Sidney Smalley said she liked her teacher, Randy Kryzsko, because of how he treats his students.

“I like him because he’s nice,” Smalley said. “He’s kind and he cares about his students and he lets us have free time.”

Wyatt Haworth said his teacher, Stacy Crabb, rewards her students when they perform up to her high standards.

“She’s really funny and let’s us do cool stuff,” Crabb said. “Like in math class, when we get done with one of our workbooks, she let’s us go and play in the back of the room and listen to music.”

Kaylen Allen, who also has Donovan as a teacher, said the reason he liked her method of teaching was because she makes sure no one is left behind on any given subject.

“Whenever we are studying a subject, she doesn’t go on to the next subject until she makes sure everybody understands what the subject is about,” Allen said.

Ella Clark, who also attends Crabb’s classroom, said she liked her teacher because of her attitude in a learning environment.

“She’s nice and kind,” Clark said. “She teaches us a lot. She lets us take a brain break and listen to music or toss a ball around.”