Sara Sandstrom-Kobi, Nederland. I know I have my biases, but I do believe teaching is one of the most underrated professions in the United States. I have taught in other countries and the overall respect is at a different level than it is here. It always makes me a bit sad, but if you are passionate about teaching you keep teaching no matter societies attitudes. 

Teachers across the world have moved mountains in the last few months learning and executing At Home Learning. 

Weeks ago I was in the middle of a lesson with one of my students. I paused and couldn’t believe what we were doing. I had my phone propped up to communicate with the student via Facetime. I had one laptop open to their research project and could see him typing and editing. And another laptop open to help the student with research. If the Facetime connection wasn’t perfect, I held up a white board to help with spelling. We worked like this week after week. I was in awe of the technology that allowed this to take place. I was in awe of this student who hung in with the situation. I was in awe of the parent who got this to work on their end. And in awe of myself for learning how to use all this technology.

It is not the ideal way to teach. Students and teachers need that in person contact to truly be successful over time. But necessity is the mother of invention and we did it. There were hiccups and frustrations. We did the best we could. We all got through this with a great amount of tenacity and resilience. No matter what comes in the fall we know we will be better prepared and have the confidence we need to do what we need to do. 

The school year usually ends in a flourish of chaos and ritual. The 2019-2020 school year is closing without the normal hugs, handshakes, tears, cheers and smiles. It is hard on the teachers and the students and the parents. 

Teachers at every level of Nederland’s preschool through twelfth grade system want to say thank you. Thank you to the Class of 2020. Thank you to the parents and students and colleagues. Thank you for finishing the school year strong. 

Hello, Class of 2020! Congratulations on having the determination and fortitude to complete your first educational milestone. High School is a complicated journey of academic requirements and social development. It is four critical years that shape the rest of our lives. For some, the educational journey will continue into college. For others, your education begins in the work world, which can be the best education. Still for others, you have chosen service to your Country, and we are grateful.

The legacy that you leave behind is deep. You had other choices, and you chose NED. There were more opportunities in other places, and you chose NED. We had to cut programs, and you chose NED. We lost sports programs, and you chose NED. Teachers, administrators, and schedules all changed, and you chose NED. The legacy that you leave behind is one of the most powerful and important; you leave a legacy of loyalty. Had you not been loyal to this community our school may not have stood, for without you there is no us. You have shown those that will follow in your footsteps what it means to be loyal. Your loyalty saved our school. If you are ever in need, should you lose your way, if misfortune falls upon you I want you to remember where you started. Our community will always be a light for you to journey back to. Don’t hesitate to call upon the generosity of Nederland. Our loyalty will shine back on you!

May all of your dreams come true!

With Gratitude,

Mr. Elertson

I want to extend my sincerest congratulations to the Nederland 2020 Senior class. Though we have been physically apart these many weeks, we have been together in my thoughts. You are an amazing class. Your humor, kindness, motivation, resiliency, and talent are truly exceptional. It has been my pleasure working with you over these years. There will always be a special place in my heart for you. I wish you all the best. I wish you happiness in whatever paths you choose to follow. Thank you Class of 2020. I am so proud of you.

Mr. Real

To the 2020 Seniors from Geels, your math teacher over the last 4 to 5 years.

I am so proud of all of you! It is hard to believe I started teaching some of you in my first year at Ned, when you were 13 years old. Now you are adults heading off into the world to make your mark.

It is my hope that I gave you a few tools that will help you in your journey, not just math skills, but also the importance of hard work, persistence, and passion in whatever you do. Whether you are furthering your education, entering the workforce, or just taking a short break, continue to remain passionate about learning. I am expecting great things!

Mr. Geels

Hello citizens of Nederland Middle Senior High School. 

Unfortunately, we aren’t able to say hello to summer in person, so I’m writing to wish you all a great and safe summer.  In the absence of in person learning I have missed all of you greatly and look forward to seeing you all again soon!

Best Wishes!

Mr. Doudna

Huge Congratulations on an incredible year! I am in awe of how everyone has turned lemons into lemonade with all of the hard challenges we have faced this year going to online learning. We made it through lots of struggles and ended up having a ton of fun learning together. Thank you all for working so hard to keep yourselves engaged and dedicated to your education. You inspire me and every one of you are incredible human beings. Wishing you a wonderful summer.

Stay strong and keep your passion for learning alive and well!!!

Ms. Beauvineau

This has been an extremely challenging time for many of us, navigating this new way of working together. Thank you for welcoming me into your amazing community during my first year at NES! Thank you for sharing your children. Thank you for your patience and support as I have been learning and growing in this new role. Thank you for your hard work in supporting your children during home learning. I look forward to the day when we can all work together in person. 

See you around town! 

Ms. Emily

I would like to thank Randy Sachter as she finishes her last year in education. Randy has taught real world concepts and problem solving to hundreds of students over the course of her career. The elementary school students and staff have been lucky to have her as our digital librarian and teacher. She’s been at the forefront of innovation, creativity, and STEM. She’s inspired us as professionals. The community and I want to send a heartfelt thank you, a hundred fold. We’re wishing her a retirement full of continued curiosity, lots of reading, and relaxation. Congratulations, a life’s work well done.

Ms. Sylvest

Thank you to everyone for making this semester at NES an amazing experience! I   especially miss my 2nd grade class and wish you a fun, relaxing, and safe summer.

Mr. Geil

Thank you to my amazing co-workers, and fabulous teammate, who made this online adventure a positive experience with their collaboration and dedication! Thank you to Ms. Jacquie, who has made a world of difference. I will miss you dearly next year. Also, thank you to my extraordinary, very resilient students! There are not enough words to describe how much you all mean to me! 

Ms. Meaghan

Thank you to my amazing kindergarteners who have brought a smile to my face each and every day this year!

Ms. Mary

To all of our wonderful school community... WAY TO GO! Including our dedicated parents, who have stepped up as teachers, in ways they haven’t needed to before. We have all learned new things, explored what was needed for our students, and gone above and beyond to meet the needs of this amazing community. Come what may, we will make it through this together! Good luck to all the 5th graders as you move on to middle school, it was great working with you, and I will miss your smiling faces at NES!

With Gratitude,

Ms. Annemarie

Sending love and concern to all our NES students and families, past and present, our supportive community and our determined staff who have worked so hard to make the best of this incredibly challenging time in our history. We will get through this and together we are, indeed, stronger.  

I’m so fortunate to have worked with Randy Sachter in the library over the last several years. She’s been an incredible teammate, collaborator, mentor and friend. We’ve had some wonderful volunteers this past year in our school library. Thanks to Jeannie, Christine and Sandy for all you helped us accomplish this year! We honestly couldn’t have done it without you.  

Ms. Lisa

The first grade teachers want to thank the parents of our classrooms for their support and commitment. We are very aware that the kids would not be able to learn at home without the help of their families. Through this very challenging time they have been making online and offline learning work for their children even with responsibilities of their own. We are grateful.

First grade would also like to thank Miss Jacquie for helping our students with literacy skills. Her insights into their needs based on her knowledge of them as kindergartners was invaluable. We appreciate Miss Randy’s dedication in collaborating with us to make our physical science and geometry units more hands-on. Her expertise will be missed. First graders loved having Miss Ann come in to teach Brainwise lessons and learn about our emotions. Miss Althea’s assistance in helping children learn from their mistakes was awesome. We were so fortunate to have these people enrich our year.

Ms. Jill

(Originally published in the May 21, 2020, print edition of The Mountain-Ear.)