2nd Quarter Winners of Davidson Appreciates Teachers

As the school year is ending, so is the 2nd Quarter of Davidson Appreciates Teachers. What a huge success this contest has been. This quarter we recognized 2nd and 3rd grade teachers from Mill Creek Elementary and Wards Creek Elementary. Words cannot describe the overwhelming sense of joy I felt from reading the nominations from the adults and even the students.  I received emails from parents at other schools in our St. Johns County School district just because they wanted us to know how great their teachers are, too. How amazing is that!!!  Who knew a simple idea to show appreciation could turn into such an outpour of support from our community. I received over 70 nominations. Thank you to all of you for helping Davidson Realty appreciate our teachers! It means so much to us and I know it touches the teacher’s hearts deeply.

I received a very special nomination for Mr. Farnum all the way from Japan from a parent of a 3rd grader at Wards Creek. The mother was deployed to Japan after the earthquake and tsunami hit in March. She was so worried about leaving her daughter, especially right before FCATS. Mr. Farnum assured the mother that everything would be fine. He even allowed the student to communicate with her mother via email. Mr. Farnum gave the mother and the student what they needed. He was a pillar of strength for both of them during this difficult time. He gave the student moral support and a connection with her mother to help the daughter succeed. F.Y.I., she rocked her FCAT!

Mr. Farnum is described as “the best teacher and one of the most caring of the children and their feelings. He is someone my daughter respects and looks up to.” I am so proud to announce that Mr. Farnum is the winner of Wards Creek 2nd Quarter of Davidson Appreciates Teachers! Congratulations to Mr. Farnum!!!

I received my first nomination for, Mrs. Kowieski, a 2nd grade teacher from Mill Creek in January. The nominations didn’t start until March. And, that wasn’t the only one! Her students and parents LOVE her!!! One special nomination I received stated that Mrs. Kowieski is the definition of respect from the character counts program. She teaches her students to respect themselves and each other by sharing real life examples of earning and showing respect. What a contribution Mrs. Kowieski is making to help teach a generation of young people to lead productive lives and become good citizens.

Another nomination I received for Mrs. Kowieski is that she helps children realize their potential with her incredible “can do” attitude. In the words of a previous student of hers, “Mrs. Kowieski was my second grade teacher last year at Mill Creek Elementary School. She is smart, kind, fair, and very fun. I was able to learn a lot. She always made learning fun.”

I could go on and on about all the wonderful things that the students and parents love about Mrs. Kowieski, but a blog isn’t supposed to be any longer! I am proud to announce that Mrs. Kowieski is the Mill Creek winner of 2nd Quarter of Davidson Appreciates Teachers! Congratulations to Mrs. Kowieski!!!

Check out the video blog and see Mr. Farnum and Mrs. Kowieski win their gifts. Thank you to Kings Head British Pub, Balance Massage & Meditation & Davidson Realty for the gifts for the winning teachers! We’ll be kicking of Fall 2011 school year showing appreciation for 4th and 5th grade teachers.