SAINT ANSGAR, IA - After forty years in the classroom, it's pretty hard to surprise first grade teacher Joyce Neerhof - but not impossible.
Tuesday morning, Saint Ansgar Elementary Principal Bill Carlson helped KIMT's Colleen O'Shaughnessy present a very shocked Mrs. Neerhof with our Golden Apple Award.
And just in time. Mrs. Neerhof's final day of teaching arrives in just a few weeks.
Student Carissa Blake said, "she is a really nice teacher, and I'm going to miss her a lot."
"It's hard," said Principal Carlson, "cause you hate to see people who have such a love for education, a love for kids, leave."
Mrs. Neerhof's kids said they love her right back.
"I just l like her when she kind of closes her eyes when she laughs," commented first grader Jaxon Kirchgatter.
She's getting more than just the usual Golden Apple Award. Mrs. Neerhof's students spent one of their art classes drawing and writing nomination letters to KIMT. Their art teacher bound the endearing notes into a book for Mrs. Neerhof to look back at for years to come.
Mrs. Neerhof said moments like these make retiring difficult. But she's stepping aside for the next generation of educators.
"We've got a lot of young teachers that need to keep their jobs. Times are tough right now, and this is one way I could help a little bit," she explained.
Students and co-workers said Mrs. Neerhof can retire knowing she's left her mark on this community.
As Principal Carlson put it, "she is what elementary education is all about."
