Teacher Appreciation Tuesday

It is indisputable that kindness as human virtue is in too short supply and too little used these days. Sometimes we wonder how we can heal our seemingly insurmountable divides. Let me posit a single word: Kindness.

Over the past five weeks, you have demonstrated kindness to the teachers and staff the two school districts that serve the South Shore by submitting over shout-outs and donating little gifts to celebrate with. Our educators have worked so hard this year and we took a moment to say thank you. These are the things that make Tahoe not just a wonderful place to live, but a wonderful place to call home. Sometimes all it takes is a random act of kindness to change the world, and you have done that!

Each week books will be donated to school libraries in honor of the top three teachers/staff members honored.

Let’s take a moment to honor this week’s shout outs and honorees!

Winner! Rebecca Musalo - Bijou Community School - She wins a $80 pass to Sierra Express Car Wash - - Ms. Musalo goes above and beyond for her students! She cares about their well being and always wants them to feel heard and appreciated in the classroom. She finds special ways to connect with them and truly sees and accepts each one for who they are. She is a thoughtful, kind and patient teacher who sets high expectations and supports students to reach them. Students thrive in her classroom because of this! - Rosie DePierri

Rebecca has always been a dedicated and fun teacher and colleague but this year with the pandemic she has Leveled Up! Rebecca has been Bijou’s reading specialist-slash-intervention expert-slash-resident Martha Stewart with her handcrafted gifts to staff and students for years. And this year she supported our team by working as a 5th grade English teacher for our TWBI program. She puts more hours than are in the day into her lessons and recorded readings for the kids and truly wants to figure out what will help each student! We are so thankful for you Rebecca!! - Robin McClary

Rebecca has been there for me since the moment I was hired at Bijou! She’s been my mentor for 6 years...I still look up to her as a teacher and ask her questions almost every day. She’s the person at school that anyone can go to at anytime, and she’ll always help you. She goes above and beyond for her students. She meets with them after school, does extra check-ins, and works hard on weekends too. She’s dedicated to her job, and is one of the BEST teachers I know. I want to be the kind of teacher she is. I appreciate her always collaborating, and sharing her ideas. She’s also the one to always celebrate others, and connect staff to make sure we are a community. She deserves a shout out for always being amazing, and it’s her birthday on Wednesday!! - Gina LoCicero

Winner! Kathy Dennis - Independent Learning Academy - She wins a basket from Acqua Hair SalonI'm going to brag about my incredible teacher wife for a minute. This past year has been incredibly challenging for all of our students and teachers. We all have had to navigate through so much change and try to remain positive. Through this, Kathy has had to pack up her classroom and redistribute it in our house so she could continue her new assignment with the ILA program. I'm so proud of her because she continues to put the students first with new distance learning strategies in order to keep the students learning. Kathy is typically working as early as 5:30 am getting the curriculum in order and working with students and parents as late as 10pm. Her weekends are typically involving planning for the next school week to keep the kids and parents engaged. I'm so proud of you Kathy! - Dave Dennis

Winner! Edna Swartz - Sierra House - She wins a basket from Acqua Hair Salon O.m.g. where do I begin? Edna has been one of the most welcoming staff at Sierra house. Since my daughter began the 1st grade at Sierra House, Edna made us both feel welcome and got to know us on a personal level. This woman remembered the small things in our families lives and we saw each other seldom in the halls. When we did she remembered my son, hubby and me by name, never referred to as just Haleigh's mom. She would ask how I was doing with the new baby,, new life in Tahoe etc., and Edna even made a point to take just a few moments to to show she cared by asking for updates on the specifics. Blew me away!!! If I knew it was okay to do so, I would have snatched her right up and adopted her into our family. She is a kindred spirit and one who truly loves with her heart. - Brandy Phillips

Shout outs:

Pat Harnett - South Tahoe High/Mt. Tallac High - Pat has been involved in every aspect of operations throughout the pandemic and has worked tirelessly to support teachers, counselors, and students on many levels each day. - Anonymous

Liset, Lorena, and Michelle - Lake Tahoe Preschool - My coworkers have been amazing teacher throughout the entire lockdown! We were open and ready to provide young children with the care and love they needed in such a stressful year. They have done it totally masked, face to face since April. I am so proud to be a part of this team. - Aubrie Williams

Marlene Moyer, Raine Bullock, Carrie Sills - South Tahoe Middle School - You three are the most amazing, compassionate, hard working teachers I know. Every day you give 110% to your students and to everyone at STMS. Your students are incredibly fortunate to have you in their lives as I am too. - Julie Molesworth

Big shout out to Sr Goldenberg for being such a supportive and amazing teacher to our first graders. Your positivity really brought our kids through with flying colors. Will forever be grateful. - Ali Berberich

Dave Gantzer - Shout out to Dave the bus driver!! Dave always greets my son in the morning and leaves very happy to school. We really appreciate him driving him to school. - The Munguia family

Ms. Alissa - Lake Tahoe Environmental Science Magnet School - Ms Alissa, You have helped me so much this year! Thank you for being so awesome! I love doing art project with you. I appreciate all your hard work and being with you everyday at the Magnet School. - Isla Stockton

Ms. Niki - Lake Tahoe Environmental Science Magnet School - Ms. Niki - you are so kind and wonderful. You work so hard everyday! Thank you for always being there for me and for helping me this year with my school work. I feel so lucky to have you at the Magnet School! - Isla Stockton

Amy Yorkey Ingersoll - Tahoe Valley Elementary - Miss Amy is patient beyond belief. After 5 years of teaching reading, she has spent the past 2 years as a 5th grade teacher thrown into the new COVID-19 craziness. Her patience, kindness and dedication has brought positive light to both the parents and students. - Brandy Phillips

To send in your Kudos for a staff member from the Zephyr Cove schools and Lake Tahoe Unified School District, please visit https://forms.gle/DEbmTP6ue4oBxmeq5.

The you to Lift Literature for starting Teacher Appreciation Tuesday, and Sierra Car Wash, Acqua Hair Salon, Nancy Muller and Jean Bergner for your donations to our honorees and schools this week! If you would like to donate between now and the end of the school year, please contact paula@southtahoenow.com.