In appreciation of District 113 teachers, staff and nurses

Last week we celebrated Teacher and Staff Appreciation Week. A week is not enough to show our gratitude to recognize all that our teachers and staff do, but it allows us to reflect on their incredible efforts all year long.

Every day our teachers and staff make an impact in our students' lives in ways that matter to students, and in celebrating student and staff accomplishments as District 113 did in a special meeting last week, those amazing accomplishments are just one small part of the story.

The accolades earned by students would not be possible without the dedicated, highly skilled support of our teachers and staff. Like gardeners, they work patiently, addressing each student's unique needs, cultivating an environment that prepares students for their ideal futures, efforts that really bear fruit years after students have graduated.

Also last week, the Lake County Regional Office of Education also recognized the incredible hard work of school nurses, especially during these past two years with the pandemic. To say that our nurses have had to navigate a never-ending set of challenges and changes is an understatement. Their work in helping keep our students and staff safe has been and continues to be, remarkable.

In case you missed it, Deerfield High School received a surprise visit last week from the Golden Apple Foundation. Members of the Golden Apple Foundation Board were on-site to announce that dance teacher Nikki Lazzaretto had won the prestigious Golden Apple Award, which recognizes teachers for excellence in teaching. Only 10 teachers in the state of Illinois win this award annually.

Lazzaretto's family, as well as some of her students and colleagues, were there to witness her reaction upon learning this fantastic news. I can tell you there were few dry eyes in the auditorium as she accepted her award.

The accolades of her students serve as testimony to the profound impact a great teacher makes on the lives of students. The link to the video is on the DHS website, www.dist113.org/dhs.

I encourage you to take a few minutes out of your day to watch this uplifting, short video.

Before determining the 10 winners of the Golden Apple, the Golden Apple Foundation names 32 finalists. I need to mention that DHS had not one but two Golden Apple finalists this year. In addition to Lazzaretto, theater director Britnee Kenyon was also selected as a finalist.

To say it is an honor just to be nominated is not a cliché; even more extraordinary, both are from the Fine Arts Department.

Please take a moment to say thank you to all the teachers, staff, and nurses, who work so hard to make connections with students at school.

I look forward to sharing some highlights of student accomplishments nearer to graduation.

• Dr. Bruce Law is the superintendent of Township High School District 113.