Laughter and knowing smiles filled the Zoom screen Tuesday, May 5, 2020, during the weekly conferencewide assembly program for Montana elementary students. The kids were bursting with the surprise about to happen.
After a few introductory comments, the students were given a signal to hold up signs and cards of appreciation for their teachers. Mayra Lindberg, the Montana Conference education department administrative assistant, had put together a surprise for all the teachers in the conference. She had contacted school board chairs to reach out to families. Students were asked to create a presentation to show appreciation for their teachers during the assembly program The students clearly enjoyed the ruse.
However, what they didn’t know was that the teachers had also been contacted to create a show of appreciation for the parents who have been partnering in the education of their children on a new level during the COVID-19 distance learning environment. The teachers held up their own signs of appreciation, which received open-mouthed surprised looks from the students, followed by more laughter.
Distance learning has created new dynamics in the delivery of education. However, in Montana, parents and teachers have teamed up to provide a quality experience to ensure academic success.
Students share appreciation poster with Five Falls Christian School teachers.
Unique Montana inspired appreciation gift for Trout Creek Adventist School teacher.
A student hand delivered gifts to each of the Mount Ellis Elementary School teachers.
Appreciation poster made for Mrs. Arlene Lambert at Five Falls Christian School.
Mrs. Maurita Crew received a beautiful plant on Teacher Appreciation Day.
Glacier View School's Board published a digital poster on the school's Facebook account to allow for likes and additional comments.
Mrs. Kathy Edwards made pies to appreciate parents co-teaching during distance learning.
Mrs. Susie Wiedemann made a collage poster to appreciate from Mount Ellis Elementary parents.
Mrs. Callie Allen, from Mount Ellis Elementary, posing with her parent appreciation poster.
Mrs. Kaila Johnson, head teacher and PK/K teacher at Mount Ellis Elementary, made her parent appreciation poster match her class bee theme.
Mr. Christopher Harmon created a digital poster to appreciate Blodgett View Christan School parents.
Glacier View School created a digital poster highlighting three qualities teachers value from the school parents.
