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Volume 58 Edition 24
Frahm selected for Gold Star teacher
Every year since 1989, the RJ McElroy Trust and KWWL selects 10 teachers from around northeast Iowa to be honored with the Gold Star Award for Outstanding Teacher. This year, Cedar Falls High School’s own Tammy Frahm has been selected for her outstanding teaching as a special education teacher. Ten teachers are selected through nominations sent in from students, parents and teachers themselves and rewarded with $1,000 cash at a live ceremony. In 2018, 954 nominations from across northeast Iowa were received by the trust. The program was developed to highlight and encourage excellence in Iowa education and reward teachers for their underappreciated work. The trust says that there is “nothing more important” to education than a teacher who is passionate and good at what they do, and is able to spur growth and excitement in learning within their students. The program highlights members of the profession who are often “overworked, underappreciated and lured into more lucrative fields.” Frahm has taught for 23 years and describes her teaching style as “consistent and relaxed.” She said, “My favorite part of my job is watching my students learn and grow into young adults.” While Frahm said that she is “hon-
“Every day I am thankful that I have parents that give me the privilege to work with their children.”
—Gold Star Teacher Tammy Frahm
ored to be receiving the Gold Star award,” she emphasized what the award truly encompasses, and contributes her success as a teacher and recognition by the Trust to many others around her. “Every day I am thankful that I have parents that give me the privilege to work with their children.” Frahm said.
“I am grateful for the bus drivers that bring my students to school safely. Our friendly janitors clear a safe path and check with me daily to make sure the room is comfortable for learning. I have a team of teachers in my department that are willing to share ideas, and teachers throughout the building are ready to say ‘We can figure this out,’ and ‘Let’s work on this together.’” Frahm also recognized others in the school who do not get recognition for their hard work and contributions to the success of her students, including bus drivers who bring students to school safely; janitors who clear safe paths and check in with Frahm daily to make sure the room is safe for learning; the school nursing staff, who have helped to train Frahm to make sure students’ individual needs are met; skilled counselors who work hard even after school hours; office workers; paraeducators, whom Frahm refers to as the “foundation” of her classroom; and support teams, among many others who Frahm believes are necessary to her success. Even people outside the school
building have helped Frahm reach her and her student’s full potential by assisting with the repair of wheelchairs, learning to use communication devices and providing smooth transitions for her students into post-highschool life. “Each school day I am blessed to work with some of the most amazing young people that are eager to learn everything I can teach them. Truthfully, over the years they have taught me much more than I could ever teach them,” Frahm said. “You see, the award may have my name on it, but a Gold Star teacher encompasses more than just one person.” Frahm and the other nine Gold Star Award teachers will be honored in a ceremony at the Gallagher-Bluedorn Performing Arts Center on the University of Northern Iowa campus on May 22 at 7 p.m, which will feature a performance from the Gold Star Singers children’s choir.
which she journaled her victories and obstacles. In a post she mentioned how she was learning to “Be better. Do better,” and the name stuck. Soon after recovering from her first stroke the Do Better. Be Better. foundation was started. The student leadership team, the graduating class of 1999 and the Dunkerton principal at the time, Justin Urbanek, created the Do Better. Be Better. Scholarship in Smith’s honor. “The scholarship means the world to me. I am incredibly honored that my graduating class began this in my name. It is truly humbling to see so many people donate their time and money to support Do Better. Be Better. and everything that it stands for,” Smith said, “The entire non-profit foundation has given me a positive outlook on all the adversities and challenges that I have been through personally.” The foundation also raises money to help families going through difficult
times similar to Smith’s situation. Student senate Advisor Erin Gardner was contacted by Urbanek shortly after talk of the scholarship at Dunkerton. “Mr. Urbanek, Mrs. Smith and myself all live down the same road. Because Mrs. Smith went to Dunkerton, (Urbanek) started it, then contacted us to see if we wanted to go in and help,” Gardner said. From then a partnership between the schools began. Each school takes turns alternate years hosting the color run, which includes marking the course, throwing color and cheering on participants. “It is good for our students along with Dunkerton. It is nice to be able to work with another school to want to make a positive effort,” Gardner said. Applicants for the scholarships are asked to write an essay about how they have overcome adversity or how they have helped someone overcome adversity.
The 2017 Cedar Falls scholarship recipient was Adison Pace who wrote of his personal experience with cancer and not living in fear. “A big part of that for me was seeing how Mrs. Smith carries herself each day. She’s really an inspiration,” Pace said. This 5k is more than raising money to help community members, it is a symbol of coming together, overcoming adversity. The Do Better. Be Better. Color run is for all ages. You can sign up online from the Do Better. Be Better. Facebook page. All are invited to run, walk, or bike the route. There will also be an opportunity to receive three make up gym credits. It’s your time to live your life and be the person you want to be. Learn how to Do Better. Be Better. one day at a time.
Submitted Photo
After 23 years of teaching, special needs teacher Tammy Frahm recieves Gold Star Award to acknowledge her underappreciated work.
By Editor-in-Chief Elise
LEASURE
Annual color run ready for Saturday On Saturday April 21 at 8 a.m., the gun will go off at Dunkerton High School to begin the fifth annual Do Better. Be Better. color run. All proceeds will go toward the Do Better. Be Better. scholarship. One student from Cedar Falls and another from Dunkerton schools will receive a $500-$1,000 scholarship to go toward their education for the following semester. On Oct. 25, 2013, physical education teacher Jamie Smith suffered a stroke in the pons of her brain, at the young age of 32. The stroke was caused by a cavernous malformation cavernoma (CM). It is a vascular abnormality in the central nervous system, which leads to a cluster of dilated vessels. While going through this hard time, Smith turned to Facebook to keep her friends and family updated on her situation. After receiving a tremendous amount of support through her posts, she was encouraged to start a blog in
By Editor-in-Chief Rachel
SCHMID