Our breakfast meal was highlighted by the musical and singing performance of Eric Songer’s Blue Grass Band from Chaska High School.
Sheryl Hough welcomed new teachers and administrators from area schools. She gave a brief introduction about our Rotary club and the purpose of the breakfast. Gary Cooper then explained “What Rotary Means To Me”. Gary highlighted the values of our members, the diversity of thoughts and backgrounds, and the shared commitment to serve others. He noted the international projects, our recognition of others who work for the betterment of our community, and Rotary’s Polio Plus eradication efforts. Gary believes that the strength of the friendships formed in our club is based on common beliefs and our team efforts.
David Brecht, principal of Chaska High School, introduced his school’s Band Director – Tim Beckler – as the Teacher of the Year.
Tim humorously provided the new teachers with his Top Ten items of advice:
10. Learn to like coffee. Lots of coffee.
9. Take time to be a person, rather than an assumed role.
8. Ask colleagues for help. Don’t be an island.
7. Buy yourself a tie or scarf.
6. Develop a system to get things done.
5. Befriend the custodial and administrative staff – they keep the whole place running.
4. Give supplies to students. They may not be able to bring them from home.
3. Wear comfortable shoes.
2. Be yourself. Don’t try to be something other than what comes naturally.
1. Develop relationships with students that are beyond your role as a teacher.
Sheryl Hough then called on school principals to introduce new teachers, counselors, and administrators from their schools:
Bluff Creek Elementary, Chaska Elementary, Chanhassen Elementary, Chaska High (David Brecht) , Chaska Middle Schools East, Chaska Middle School West (Sheryl Hough), Chanhassen High, Clover Ridge Elementary, East Union Elementary, Integrated Arts Academy, Jonathan Elementary, La Academia, Pioneer Ridge Elementary, St. Hubert’s Middle School, Southwest Christian High, Specialized Services, and World Learner School.
A huge “Thank You” to Sheryl for organizing, and those Rotarians involved in purchasing the school supplies, decorating the tables and managing this memorable and tangible message to our education professionals.
A special note of thanks to Ray Schalow, who provided the tables with a note that expresses our appreciation of the teachers and all they do. It included 1872 rules for teachers, and an anecdote related to “What Teachers Make”:
The dinner guests were among those sitting around the table discussing life. One man, a CEO, decided to explain the problem with education. He argued, “{What’s a kid going to learn from someone who decided their best option in life was to become a teacher?” He reminded the other dinner guests what they say about teachers, “Those who can, do. Those who can’t, teach.” To stress his point he said to another guest; “You’re a teacher, Susan. Be honest. What do you make?” Susan, who had a reputation for honesty and frankness, replied “You want to know what I make? I make kids work harder than they ever thought they could. I make a C+ feel like the winner of the Congressional Medal of Honor. You want to know what I make? I make kids wonder. I make them question. I make them criticize. I make them apologize and mean it. I make them write. I make the read, read, read. I make them show all their work in math and perfect their final drafts in English. I make them understand that if you have the brains, and follow your heart, and if someone ever tries to judge you by what you make, you must pay no attention because they just didn’t learn. You want to know what I make? I MAKE A DIFFERENCE!”
