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Make time to be thankful.

One of my great blessings was my high school’s centennial celebration, specifically the organization of an alumni marching band. We rehearsed Friday night, played alongside students on the sidelines and got to join them at the end of the halftime show for the school song. Saturday morning we reconvened to march in the parade.

The entire weekend was an exercise in musical muscle memory, copious nostalgia and constantly making sure we all agreed on the difference between left and right. Then, of course, there are the earaches and back pains that come with strapping on abass drum for the first time in two decades.

It would’ve been agoodtime under class, and with whom, through my mom, we stayed in touch.

Then there was Coach Englert, who supplemented his gym teacher salary by selling life insurance to graduating seniors, “because it would be a lifetime investment.” And how could Iforget Mrs. Kalowitz, the English teacher who taught me akey lesson about deciding what’s most important when it comes to responsibilities?

Iguess you never leave school when it comes to a lifetime of learning, and its impact on you and your family. Iconsiderfourth grade teacher Mrs. Durgin, who recognized aproblem one of my sons had with reading that other teachers had missed. Her intervention helped him develop study habits that changed his life and led him to become atwo-time American Collegiate Hockey Association Academic All-American. My wife still sings her praises.

Teachers always will have aprofound impact on our lives. Thank goodness. They have skills and knowledge that could transfer to other careers that could lead to more recognition and money, but they made the commitment to serve, educate and prepare our children for the future. same as entering that time machine. most circumstances, but the weather was perfect, the football team won by several touchdowns, and although carrying percussion down main street is more laborious than aclarinet or piccolo, the actual musical requirements are significantly easier for those of us not responsible for melodies.

Yes, thank you, teachers.

And while I’m at it, let’s also thank all the other people in our schools who make adifference every day. The long list includes the lunch room workers, custodians, school bus drivers, teachers aides and assistants, coaches, school nurses, tutors, counselors, school psychologists, librarians, student teachers and interns, substitute teachers, office and athletic department secretaries, after-school assistants, paraprofessionals, principals and other administrators and the multitude of volunteers who help in all kinds of ways. Thank all of you as well.

Our team at Shaw had alot of fun creating our Thank You, Teachers edition today. Many of the stories you see were suggested by our readers and people in your local schools. And we also received hundreds of letters from children telling us about their favorite teacher. Please take alookatthem, there’s alot of love and admiration happening there.

So, enjoy this special edition, it’s akeepsake.

•DennisAndersonisvicepresidentofnewsand contentdevelopmentforShawLocalNewsNetwork. Hisemailisdanderson@shawmedia.com.

That said, the actual highlight of the experience, ranking just ahead performing in front of my kids, was having one more chance to play for Mr. Shupe.

Icould call him Don, though Inever would, and even running into him at church and around town was never the

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When we graduated 25 years ago, I tried to go out of my to way explain just how special it was to be apart of Mr. Shupe’s band program, to learn the power of working together toward acommon goal and how doing so could build deep, lasting friendships.

But Ialways felt whatever words I said or wrote would never quite do those emotions justice.

Most people wouldn’t relive high school. For me that’s pretty true –with twoexceptions. I’d sign up tomorrow to write for Drops of Ink and play cymbals for the Marching Wildcats, even the hard parts, because Mr. Shupe and Mrs. Schneider modeled for me the kind of adult Iwantedtobepersonally and professionally.

They provided the essence of my high school experience, and my hope for anyone with children is to be able to trust their kids to the care of people like my role models who invested in our success by caring more about the people we were than any skill we might have.

Reflecting on that experience, I realize the real blessing wasn’t how the weekend made me feel, but that it gave me the chance as an adult to look abeloved mentor in the eyes and express my gratitude.

Ihope you have abeloved teacher, and even more so that you have a chance to thank them for shaping your life. •ScottT.Hollandwritesaboutstate

Teacher: Megan Anderson

Youare an amazing teacherand youhelp me when ever Ineed help.Thank yousomuch.

Kara Zimmerman, Cortland

Teacher: Christine Vest

Teacher: Lauren Comstock

Thank youMissComstock forhelping me with my work and checking if ineeded help when ididn’t know when to asksoiwanted to saythank you.

DevonDelaney, DeKalb

Mrs. Vest.DeKalb high-school’sparagon of the history program. She’sknown forher energetic teaching style and passion towardsall topics of history.But beyond that, Mrs. Vest is belovedbythe student body forher careand dedication to her students.

Teacher: Phil Rouse

SThank youMr. Rousefor beingone of thefew teachers thatbelievedinmethroughoutmyhigh school career You’veimpacted my life positivelyand Idon’t know how I’llbeable to repayyou forit. Thankyou Coach.

Avery Flores, DeKalb

Teacher: AmyRussell Mrs Russell,

Thank youfor being an awesometeacher.You made this firstschool year back so fun and Ienjoyeditbecause of you. Ihope all of my newteachers arejustlikeyou. Youhavehelped me grow andlearn so much, especially in readingand math. IknowthatifIdon’t understand something, thatyou will work with me and help me Thank youfor helping me be moreconfident. Iwill miss youthis summer!

Mason Roinas, DeKalb

Mrs. Vest herself has served as asecond-mother figurefor me.With the struggle of returning to school amidstCovid-19,Mrs. Vest provided support and encouragement thatIwouldn’t have gotten through senior year without. Ashoulder to lean on, aperson who’salways theretotalkand giveadvicedespite her numerous papers to grade; alongside my history teacher all in one.I’vehad Mrs. Vest in twoofher AP classes extending from junior to senior year,and her commitment to push her students to provide them the most“normal”high-school experiencepossibleiswhat I’m forevergrateful for. Although I’m graduating soon, Iknowfor as long as Mrs. Vest works at DeKalb Highschool, every childenrolled in her classwillreceivethis same love she provides unconditionally foreachofher students.

Teacher: Erica Swan

This thank yougoes out to my case manager and Special Education teacher, Ms.Swan. She has helped me through sports, school and everythinginbetween. Without her Iwould not be the same person Iamtoday. Ifeel she makes me -and everyone else she works with- an incredible person. She is underappreciated and hopefully this thank youwill help fix that. Youare a wonderful person and twowords will not servejustice. Icannotsay this enough Ms.Swan, thank youfor all that youdo.

Zachary Neblock, Genoa

When youhear “DeKalb-High School”, Mrs. Vest is one of those standout teachers thatisablessing to have within our community.Overmyhighschool career I’ve struggled with anxiety,and Mrs. Vest helped alleviate this with her aforementioned unconditional support. She taught me life-lessons as well; the value of honesty,hardwork, communication and anewfound appreciation for learning. Her passion forhistory is contagious and has inspired me to further my education. Although to her I maybeaformer student, she will always be my history teacher to me.Thank youMrs.Vestfor making these pasttwo years memorable

Kate Kaminski, DeKalb

Teacher: Dominique Yackley

Thank youfor always going thatextramile formyson. We truly appreciate you!

DJ Lorenzo, DeKalb

Teacher: NataliyaZimmerman

Madame Zimmerman has been an excellent French teacher forboth Ian and his older brother.She has provided opportunities to study French cultureinside and outside of the classroom. She has held students’ accountable fortheir homework and been flexible during these pandemic times. She expects excellencefrom every student she interacts with. Thereare not enough wordstoexpresshow awesomeMadame Zimmerman is!

Ian Wickens-Walther,DeKalb

Teacher: Linda Dunham

Mrs. Dunham, My boys both had youasateacher at Malta Elementary (one had you twice).You arestill their favoriteteacher and continue to check in and ask how they’redoing yearslater.Thank youfor all youdofor all of your students, but especially my boys!!

Ryan Villalobos, DeKalb

Teacher: AmyEngstrom

Thank youfor always believing in me and encouraging me to do my best.I have learned many valuable lessons this year.I will keep doing my best untill 1day Iama teacher, just likeyou are. Even if youdont win the contestyou will always be awinner to me and my favoriteteacher

Harper Montgomery,DeKalb

Teacher: Rosario Magaña

Thank youMrs. Magaña forbeing the bestteacher Iliketobeinyour classIwouldn’t want to go to 2nd grade because Iwant to be a1st grade and be in your class. Thank youfor being THE BESTTEACHER!!!!!

Christian JimenezAlvarado,DeKalb

Teacher: Toni Gabriel

Thank youMrs. Gabrielfor ALWAYS believing in me Your positivity and encouragement has pushed me a litter further because youknowthatIcould do it. Your endlesscreativity passion makeitsoenjoyable to be in your class.

Teacher: BruceChennell

Mr.Chennell,

Thank youfor making me fall in love with history.You made me see thatlearning is alifelong commitment we have to choose every day, but thatitissorewarding when we do.Thank you. -Kendall Hampton ‘16

Kendall Hampton, DeKalb

Owen Bohne,Genoa

Teacher: Amanda Baum

Mrs. Baum -thank youfor being the teacherwho made me certain thatteaching wasthe career forme, despitehow difficult it is. Ican neverexpresshow grateful Iamfor your unconditional love andcare, from the moment Ifirststepped foot intoyour CRMS classroom tenyears ago.Your ability to connect with every student in this way amazes me.Your passion and drivefor supporting students, families, and the community remind me everydayofwhy we do whatwe do as educators. Thank you!!!

Lily Smith-Riel, DeKalb

Teacher: TracyPaszotta

Youare thebestteacher ever,you arelikea superhero! Thank youfor loving me and teaching me so Ican be smarter than my brother! Youare so nice and Ilove the songs and dances youteach us, but Idon’t always liketotakepictures. Youmakemelaugh and let me be silly and Ialways want to be in your class. Iwill missyou this summer,and maybe tell my first grade teachers to be as smart and cool and niceasyou!

Mason Roinas, DeKalb

Teacher: Carol Zelaya

Ms.Zelaya gives 110% to her students. We appreciate her so much! Thank you!

Madelyn Prouty,DeKalb