From Teachers to Teachers -- excerpts

Our district is going in a revolutionary direction for the betterment of our students as well as the education profession. What we do for students in Harrison is often misconstrued, but we cannot make the kind of change that will adequately prepare our students for todays society without a dynamic shift- both in our mindset and our methods. I am honored to be a part of this change. (Lauren Major, Fox Meadow Middle School) Working in Harrison School District is exceptionally rewarding. The children that I teach come from a variety of backgrounds which gives me the opportunity to really make a difference in the life of each and every student. Because our students are so diverse, they deserve the best education has to offer. Our district reinforces this concept by providing regular, constructive feedback to its employees and paying teachers and support staff according to their performance. I appreciate working for a district that shares the same priority: a commitment to education. (Sara Wulfkuhle, Pikes Peak) Giberson Elementary strives for nothing less than excellence. We are heading in a positive direction to insure the educational success of all our students. . . . I work in a culture of support and compassion. We are all equals in our school, sharing the single goal to help children succeed. (Robyn Wills, Giberson) I love working at my school and making a connection with kids. I enjoy working to help all my students achieve. I have never liked a job more. In D2 we are doing whats best for kids. . . . The administration in my building supports me. They have high expectations of us but they should as the students deserve this. (Sarah Arellano, Centennial) I love teaching at Harrison High School because I am valued as a professional and treated with the utmost respect. During my time at Harrison, I have grown as an educator due to the coaching leadership of the administration and the support of the district through leadership opportunities and continuing education. Harrison High School supports teachers in their pursuit of excellence and has guided me in becoming a distinguished teacher. (Rick Freehling, Harrison High School) I enjoy the daily opportunities of working with the students at Sierra High School. I believe in our administration team and witness their hard work every day. I feel District Two is on the right track in preparing our students to be college and career ready. I definitely do not feel, nor have I ever felt like I work in a climate of fear. I like the students and staff at Sierra High School and believe our students have the potential to succeed. (Pauline McCutcheon, Sierra HS)
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We need to do just what we are doing. We need to ensure kids are leaving high school ready for the real world. We cant make excuses about backgrounds. I grew up in this district and appreciate that finally someone is believing in the kids in this district. We are proving we can do it. (Michelle Frank, Centennial) I come in everyday and am greeting by students who love Art because I have inspired in them a desire to create. They are just as excited to see me as I am to see them. I do my job, I do it well. And if I was not doing my job well, I would expect my Administration to help me to become a better teacher. I would fear the Administrator who never came around or never stepped into my classroom because that would mean that he or she had no clue what I was doing and was still expecting me to perform at my best. I perform at my best and it is due in part to my Administration and the respect that they give me daily. (Felicia Kazmier, Otero) I believe that every student deserves the best education possible and can achieve if they are given the opportunity. Our students deserve every opportunity to be successful. . . . I work in a climate of change not fear. The direction of the district is one of improving student and teacher performance. Change can be uncertain but most of the time it is needed. I feel supported as a teacher by administrators and by our district leaders. (Jamie Pflaumer, Stratmoor Hills) I support what HSD2 is doing for the students. I think we are trying to do what is best for the kids. Some people may think being watched and being held to a high standard is scary. I take it as a personal and professional challenge to provide the best education to my students under the guidelines that Harrison has defined for us. If you are doing what is expected from you, it doesnt matter who walks through the door to observe you. I take their feedback and grow from it. I thank HSD2 for helping me keep kids first. (Misti Woltz, Bricker) I have spent nineteen years as a teacher at Wildflower which now feels like a second home. We have an amazing staff that go above and beyond to support the success of our students. Being on a grade level team as well as a departmental team unifies the staff and enables us to provide our students the best education possible. I am proud to be a Wildflower teacher and would not consider teaching anywhere else. (Shelley Timmins, Wildflower) I think the Harrison School District is heading in an excellent direction in terms of their expectations for learning. High expectations are essential in education and I truly believe students achieve more when academic goals are set at a high level. I also think teachers should be held accountable for student achievement. While pay for performance may create some stress, I don't think it promotes a climate of fear. It
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simply keeps me accountable for the level of academic commitment every educator should have every day. (Sarah Aimonovitch, Wildflower) I love that this District is trying to help students realize they dont go to school just because they have to, but in order for them to have an amazing future they must be here. As for E&R, at times it gets a bit stressful but then I sit back and remember why I am here. I believe over the years it will become less stressful and kinks will be fixed. (Jenn Keller, Monterey) I love working at Turman because of the people! Everyone is willing to help and collaborate. . . . I am glad we are finally making parents, and students, more accountable! The parents should not feel that their childs education is hands off for them. I think we are on the forefront of education. There are some kinks that need to be worked out as far as pacing and tests, but all in all, we are headed in the right direction. (Katherine Siegel, Turman) Every day the students at Harrison challenge me as a teacher, they challenge to become a better teacher and a better person. Every day I challenge my students to become better students and better young adults. . . . It is a challenge to educate students who are at risk, yet the reward of seeing their daily successes is why I became a teacher. I enjoy working with the students and the staff at Harrison High School, they are exceptional people who truly believe that hard work, dedication and perseverance will lead to everyday success. Many people run from challenges, not the staff and students at Harrison High School. It is the backbone of why Harrison High School is going in the right direction. (Al Melo, Harrison High School) In the past six years, I have developed tremendously as an educator and as a person. I have been coached, supported, and given innumerable opportunities to learn, lead, and grow. I have worked with incredibly hardworking, caring, and talented colleagues. I have helped young adults think and question critically, pursue personal interests, and explore post-secondary options. . . . Harrisons transition over the last five years from a school on academic watch to one that earns a performance rating is a testimony that, while at times challenging and controversial, is worth the effort. Kids are accomplishing a great deal, and ultimately, that is why I chose to become an educator. Knowing that I make a difference in the lives of students is why I like working at Harrison High School. (Tiffany Ramirez, Harrison High School) I love working at Turman because our focus is on student achievement and making sure we are giving our students the best education possible. Our students deserve the best education and we work day in and day out as a school to make sure this happens. Our school administration is exceptionally supportive, honest, and knows how to provide valuable feedback to improve individual instruction. . . . I think that the district is moving in a direction that the rest of the nation will be following very soon.
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Although the E&R process is rigorous, the rubrics consistently inform teachers on their current levels of effectiveness and provide clear direction for improvement. (Katie Colver, Turman) I enjoy working at Fox Meadow Middle School because I am positively encouraged to do my best daily and our administration and staff is committed to the pursuit of excellence. (Sonja Linville, Fox Meadow Middle School) I absolutely love working at Giberson. The overall attitude of staff members is extremely positive and it is obvious that we enjoy what we do. . . . I dont feel like I work in a climate of fear. I do feel that the district has very high expectations for teachers, but I think this helps us to stay on top of our game when it comes to our teaching. Because of this, we strive to provide quality instruction all day, every day. With Harrisons population of students, I think this is extremely important to not only their academic success, but their success in life as well. Our children do not come to us with the same background knowledge and skill sets that children in other districts do, so it seems only natural that our teachers are held to a higher standard. (Amy Martindale, Giberson) I really enjoy working with the Giberson community. I feel supported and valued as a Para educator in our building. I enjoy coming to work knowing that I am appreciated for my dedication and hard work with our children. (Laura Trujillo, Giberson) Coming in late in the year, I have been enormously impressed with the amount of support and the quality of resources that Ive been given from every quarter at Sierra High. When I ask for help or feedback on classroom management and investment, someone is in my room within a few days, and their feedback has been enormously helpful in allowing me to establish my relationships with my students in a proactive and productive way. My department and administrators have sought constantly to help me acclimate to my position, and have provided encouragement and positive support on both challenging and great days. (Maggie Jackson, Sierra HS) The vision for Harrison District 2 is powerful, as we realize that it is not enough to just prepare students for high school graduation. Innovate, Educate, Graduate implies that it is insufficient to merely push students along through our schools, while it also creates a foundation for our purpose: to develop scholars that are ready and able to compete in the 21st century marketplace. This vision allows many of our students to see themselves, for the first time, in places where they can equitably compete among their peers to become successful adults, whether that may be college or another postsecondary institution. I believe our students deserve nothing less. (Emily Gross, Panorama)

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Heres what I know about the direction of Harrison: The direction we were going before simply wasnt working well enough, so it seems logical to try a different direction; time will tell if this was the right one. . . . Courage is knowing what not to fear. -Plato (Sean Hedding, Stratton Meadows) I like the direction that the district is going. Making homework, reading and attendance a priority in the eyes of the district helps me be even more successful as a teacher. It helps strengthen parent and teacher communication and it shows students that their parents and teachers have the same expectations of them. I think that the differentiated diplomas and the scholarships that the district is giving to kids, along with the focus of making them college ready, are powerful motivators for students to succeed. Lastly I feel that ending social promotion is a bold step that the district has made about the expectations that we have of our students. (Kevin Dahl, Oak Creek) Pikes Peak Elementary strives to create a home away from home for its students and families. We welcome families and value their contributions to all aspects of their childs education. The teachers and staff work endlessly to bring out the best in each child academically and socially; creating an environment for all that is kind, warm, and welcoming. (Kerry Manzo, Pikes Peak) I love working at my school because of the amazing supportive environment we have! . . . Harrison District 2 is moving in a direction that all schools should look towards to ensure that students are ready to be successful in the 21st century. We believe that if you hold high expectations for students they will reach them. . . . The environment in the district and in my school is very supportive and positive. People are working in this district because they want what is best for kids. I feel that the support I am receiving is making me more successful at what I do and I know that I am growing as teacher every day! (Kahlyn Gearing, Sand Creek) I love working at Sand Creek Elementary! I am here for kids, to help them succeed and because of the commitment to excellence from all of the Sand Creek team: teachers and leaders. (Brenda Griffith, Sand Creek) Within our middle school team, the administration has fostered an environment of creativity and collaboration. While they hold us to high expectations, our administration gives us the tools to succeed. We are not motivated by fear. We are motivated by ensuring that every single one of our students is presented with a well balanced and rigorous education. While I still have room to grow as an educator, I know that I would not have become the teacher I am without the support and advice of my principal. (Joe Laliberte, Mountain Vista)

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Teaching at Stratmoor Hills Elementary has brought me to a deep appreciation of all the hard work our students put forth to become successful. I love the resilient attitude our students have and the willingness to always go above and beyond to be successful. I would never want to teach anywhere else. . . . Being a veteran teacher of District 2, I have seen many uphill battles brought to the forefront. In the past 5 years, many battles have been won and now we continue to make changes for the good of our students. Change is hard. Change means we work harder, but I am willing to make the change for my students. That is why I teach and will continue to support the direction of education. (Allyson Fox, Stratmoor Hills) I love working in my school for various reasons. First of all, I have always felt supported by my administration since I came to Panorama. I also love working with the students that we have here. The students here may sometimes be a challenge, but they deserve to be successful as much as anyone around. It is the greatest thing to watch my students become successful in math. The teachers at Panorama are also the best around. They are always willing to help each other out whenever needed. . . . I have never felt fearful here at Panorama. I know that things are moving toward new areas for teachers in our district which could lead to a lot of anxiety, but I am here because I want to be here with these students. (Patricia Parks, Panorama) I enjoy working at Stratmoor Hills because the staff works together to ensure our students get the best possible education. We collaborate, work hard, and push our kids every day. Even though it is stressful at times, the hard work pays off when I see my students reach their goals. (Erin James, Stratmoor Hills) I think HSD2 is doing many great things to put students on the forefront of education, where they should be, while holding teacher accountable for everything. I find this extremely important and am therefore pleased with how things are going given the populations HSD2 serves. (Anthony Schultz, Monterey) What I admire and enjoy most about Harrison School District Two is that we are a district that believes very strongly and passionately that students come first. Our mission is to increase learning for all students; and by doing so, the district ensures that our students are provided with outstanding staff members who eagerly want to make that vision a reality. I enjoy coming to work every day, knowing that I am working with a team of teachers who are all eager to increase students performance, academically as well as behaviorally. (La-Toya Tillis, Carmel) District Two has a unique population of students whom society feels is unable, and therefore shouldnt try. I believe in the challenge of teaching strength, accountability, and confidence through success in the impossible. With that, I know that I am trying to overcome very difficult obstacles that require my very best teaching and
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collaboration. I feel highly supported by my principal in accomplishing these things, but I also understand that there is a great deal of motivation that I must pull from within. (Kate Fiori, Carmel) Soaring Eagles has molded me into the teacher I have always wanted to be! The positive atmosphere, supportive administrators, and interdependent teams have made my job a joy to come to every morning. I cant think of any other place I would want to teach! Soaring Eagles has become, and always will be my family! (Opal Bentley, Soaring Eagles) When kids enter the doors at Otero, they are encouraged by secretaries, ESP staff, administrators, and teachers. Kids are flourishing under the guidance of my coworkers, and despite hardships and struggles, our staff and students continue to strive for excellence. . . . There are no perfect systems; however, I believe strongly in the philosophy behind the movement of our district. Teachers should be held accountable for student learning. Thats our job. It is not acceptable for students, in particular at-risk students, to not receive excellent instruction. . . . I am starting my 5th year at Otero Elementary, and I am confident that Harrison School District is full of strong, engaging, dedicated teachers who, without a doubt, give everything they have to ensure student success. (Ami Nunn, Otero) It is a great to work with other educators who are prepared to do their best planning and instruction in their classroom everyday for the advancement of our students. (Janet Schafer, Sierra HS)

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