MANLY, IA - It's one thing when a student or two writes in about their favorite teacher, but when we get letters from an entire classroom, we take notice.
A group of Central Springs first graders, including Hannah Waters, Levi School, and Jennifer Overy, sent hand-written notes on the same wide-line paper many of us remember using in elementary school. Each one explained, in the youngsters' best handwriting, why they "think Mrs. Burt should win the Golden Apple Award."
Nominating someone for the award is pretty easy. All you need to do is point and click on our website's Golden Apple logo. But when it came to nominating reading teacher Kristi Burt for the Golden Apple, her students teamed up with their main classroom teacher, Mrs. Arians for a major undertaking.
They started the project before winter break. Now several months - and a lot of letters later - Mrs. Burt's students Holiday wish is granted.
Since Mrs. Arians helped her students orchestrate one of the best nomination schemes we've seen, the whole class tagged along to surprise their reading teacher with KIMT's top teaching title.
Mrs. Burt said she had no idea what they were planning, "I'm very surprised, and it's a great honor."
While celebrating her award is fun, the kids say reading time in Mrs. Burt's classroom is always a ball.
She said she keeps them interested by "always coming up with new games, new activities. The more hands on and engaged they can be, the easier it is for them."
Mrs. Burt's love for reading, and her kids, is obvious. And with a little help from their grown-up partner in crime, these first graders are letting her know, the feeling is mutual.
"Mrs. Burt, congratulations, and thank you for all that you do," added Mrs. Arians.
