Area educators observe American Education Week

SIKESTON - From the Pledge of Allegiance in first

grade to mock presidential elections for seniors in

high school, public schools teach us what it is to be

an American in addition to "reading, writing and

'rithmetic."

The week before Thanksgiving has long been celebrated

by communities across the country as American

Education Week - a special time to honor the teachers

and school staff who educate the nation's 53 million

school children every day.

American Education Week runs through Saturday.

"In Sikeston when this week occurs we like to do as

many things as we can to take note of the week," said

Rise' Howard, art teacher at Sikeston Junior High and

co-chair of the public relations committee for the

Sikeston Community Teachers Association. "Each school

chooses how they recognize the week with a variety of

activities."

At Matthew Elementary in Sikeston, students are

treated to guest readers during library class, make

posters in art classes and write "favorite teacher"

essays.

"Mrs. Hunter is my favorite teacher. She is nice and

fun. She teaches P.E. and Library. She must be very

busy and a very hard worker. She must really like kids

a lot to teach that much," wrote Cassie Owens.

Caleb Pruitt wrote: "My favorite teacher was Mrs.

Branch. Mrs. Branch did not yell a lot. She was the

best first grade teacher."

Jenny Hobeck, president of the Sikeston Community

Teachers Association, said kindergarten students

decorated grocery sacks which are being used at Stan's

Food Market this week. Other area merchants are

displaying artwork from the kindergarten and Sikeston

elementary schools as well.

"At the Junior High we are responsible for a public

service announcement on the local radio station," said

Howard.

This year's theme, "Together: Making public schools

great for every child," reflects the idea that quality

education requires a partnership between school staff,

parents and students. "We are all working together for

this goal," said Howard.

The theme also draws attention to the role everyone

has to play in making public schools great - parents,

neighbors, businesses and governments as well as

teachers, principals, bus drivers and the other school

staff.

Wednesday is designated "Educational Support

Professional Day" to salute the important role played

by school support staff.

"No matter what their job at school - whether it's

teaching math or typing attendance reports - school

professionals impart lessons about respect, diversity

and responsibility," said Bob Chase, National

Education Association president. "These ideals will

help students throughout life."

This year's observance also highlights the critical

role public schools play in passing on America's

ideals. It is in the classroom more than any other

place, according to the National Education

Association, that generations of native-born and

immigrant students are taught to understand and

respect American values.

American Education Week was established in 1921 by the

National Education Association and the American Legion

to highlight the importance of education after it was

discovered that a quarter of the nation's World War I

draftees were illiterate.

American Education week has grown since its inception

and today includes the 12 leading national education

organizations such as the PTA and groups representing

principals, school boards and administrators.