Denver North Stake Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints Host Teacher Appreciation

Sixteen graduating seniors from local high schools honored their most influential teachers at the annual Teacher appreciation Night on March 2nd hosted by the Denver North Stake of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter- day Saints.

Retired Horizon High School Principal Pamela Smiley was the key note speaker and opened the evening with remarks celebrating the role teachers play in the lives of students.   Stating that ” You cannot put a monetary value on the influence a teacher has on their students”.  Remembering and honoring her own fourth grade teacher and the impression she left on her.  Often wondering where she is now but grateful for that special teacher.

Teacher appreciation night is designed for students to express gratitude for those who have helped them achieve goals and live exemplary lives.

 President of the Denver North Stake Ronald Hellbusch and a Mountain Range High School student Wes Sanders both commented  on “Your Master Teacher”  In Wes’s tribute to Rocky Top Middle School teacher David Wiske he quoted,   A guy named Peter McWilliams once said “Your Master Teacher knows all you need to learn, the perfect timing for your learning it, and the ideal way of teaching it to you.  You don’t create a master Teacher-thats all ready been done. You discover your Master Teacher.”  Wes went on to introduce his Master Teacher, saying a master teacher is not someone ordinary but someone unique.  Someone that takes the time to get to know the student he teaches, knows what they need help with, knows what they enjoy, and how to relate with them and how to inspire them to do great things in life.

President Hellbusch also expressed appreciation to the dedicated educators who were being honored and the exceptional role they play in teaching and nurturing their students.

Students referred to their teachers as  “The Best Teacher”, A Major Influence in my Life”,  “An Amazing teacher, “A Master Teacher” & “A Friend”

Teacher Honorees were

Kathy Davinroy, Horizon High School; Judi Madsen, Hulstrom K-8; Ms Andrea Overton, Stem Launch School; Shauna Marble, Director Prairie View Play house; Jill Anderson, Legacy High School; Patrick Jellum, Mountain Range High School; Jennifer French-Jurgens Legacy High School; David Wiske, Rocky Top Middle School; Danielle Johnson, Mountain Range High School; Paul Kaiser, Hulstrom; Justin Schrader & Jill Valentine, Horizon High School; James Hock, Mountain Range High School; Kim Kepler, Erie High School; Ryan Hargraves Horizon High School; Juana Lorenzo, Pathways Future Center School; Steve Lash, Horizon High School

Also in attendance to accept honor for David Wiske; Chelsea Behanna Principal Rocky Top Middle School

Principal Matt Buchler Erie High School, Matthew McCarthy

Seniors

Ethan Pitts, Tanner Flint, Ann Lee, Baylee Hadfield, Tui Fa’amausili, Taylor Nielsen, Andrew Taylor, Wes Sanders, Bresciana Baker, Jessie Davis, Carly Plowman, Halie Madsen, Jordan Cartwright, Emer Rocha, Juliet Delfin, Parker Strain

Picture of Wes Sanders & Chelsea Behanna

Gwenn Woodhouse

Teachers honored:

 Horizon High Scool:  Kathy Davinroy, Justin Schrader, Jill Valentine,Ryan Hargraves, Steve Lash

Legacy High School:  Jill Anderson, Jennifer French-Jurgens

Mountain Range High School:  Patrick Jellum,Danielle Johnson, James Hock

Hulstrom:  Paul Kaiser, Judi Madsen

Rocky Top Middle School:  David Wiske (honored but nor pictured) pictured in attendance in his place  Chelsea Behanna (principal)

Stem Launch School: Andrea Overton

Erie High School:  Kim Kepler

Pathways Future Center School:  Juana Lorenzo

Prairie View Play House:  Shauna Marble Theatre Director