Dear Editor,

Over the past few months, everyone’s worlds have been turned upside down by COVID-19. Everyone has been forced to adapt to a new reality; from healthcare professionals, police officers, and firefighters, to grocery store workers and local businesses.

This week is teacher appreciation week, and we feel it is fitting to shout from the rooftops expressing our gratitude, appreciation, and amazement at how our teachers at Whitko have adapted and thrived in this time of change.

Although the buildings have been closed, teachers have been meeting with students regularly through a variety of social media and online conferencing programs and applications. Teachers at the drop of the hat switched from a traditional brick and mortar classroom to a digital platform delivering content and support to students. There have been a million statements over the years that teachers are more than “just teachers”, well here is one more.

Teachers are the glue of the community, they work with all of the students that come through their doorways and build lasting relationships with their students that will impact them far beyond their time spent in school. Teachers deserve every bit of our appreciation and thanks.

So, to the teachers at Whitko Community Schools, thank you. Thank you for being in the classroom every day working with students. Thank you for the countless hours spent planning and prepping your next lesson, or for helping support your students through tutoring or going to extracurricular events. Thank you for adapting to and meeting every situation and challenge that is thrown in your direction. In other words, thank you for everything you do to make the community a better place.

Sincerely, All of Whitko.

Jonathan Baker
Assistant Principal
Whitko Jr.-Sr. High School