Quyana to John Fick at Service High Language Arts teacher! This exceptional teacher taught my son that no matter how long and run—on a sentence is, one is not enough for a paragraph. He can now write pages and pages.
My son’s handwriting is much worse than just bad but this teacher went the extra mille and would talk to him to understand what he was saying so he wouldn't have to just fail him because of his handwriting.
My son started typing his work on the computer so it could be read and even after Mr. Fick could read what my son was saying he still gave him good grades. (o_0) What I find really fantastic is that he somehow got it across to my son that he could say on paper what he actually thought instead of trying to write what he thought the teacher wanted. This really opened him up to actually enjoying writing about every subject he was given. His opinions and thoughts were always well received and that only motivated him to write more the next time. It turns out I have a very opinionated son who isn't afraid to put his thoughts on paper for anyone to read. Look out world cuz here he comes!
The only thing that would make me happier is if I could give this great teacher a raise like he deserves. — Sharon D. Webb, parent
Quyana to Stephanie Asplund at Goldenview Middle School! Stephanie, a counselor at our school, is a tireless professional and a dedicated lady whose focus is helping kids and the staff she serves. Her knowledge and expertise are driven by a sincere passion to help staff support students to achieve and succeed. She is well—liked and highly respected by students, their parents, and her peers. She holds herself to a high standard in all aspects of her job and her own personal values. Her example is a light that inspires those of us who are fortunate to work with her and to know her. — Anne Larche, peer
Quyana to Exit Team at Mears Middle School! Team Exit is extraordinary. They keep kids engaged and parents informed. The students even like them — and that is not an easy accomplishment in Middle School. They truly made my son's middle school experience a positive one. — Sarah Afoa, parent
Quyana to Mrs. McClure, Mrs. Hopkins, Mrs. Baker, Mrs. Hobson, Mrs. Nemecek, Ms. Niemi, Mr. Hoyer, Mr. McCormick, and Mr. Sherman at Campbell Elementary! Words cannot express the gratitude we feel towards these highly esteemed teachers. We have a total of six kids and five of them have been students under these teachers’ guidance. As parents, we feel so fortunate and blessed that our children have/had the opportunity to be taught by them each day. They have instilled the love of math, science, reading, writing, life lessons, and overall love of learning in them, each day.
We appreciate the indefinite amount of patience, endless hours of planning, and selflessness to ensure that their students are capable of obtaining the skills necessary for them to move forward in their schooling and life in general. Our children shares the same enthusiasm for them — as they do towards their studies. We feel that these teachers are a "true gift" to the Anchorage School District and to their future students. They've inspired our children as well as my husband and me. Our children will never forget them and neither will we. Thank you for assisting our children through their journey to success! We are grateful to each of you! We are excited for your future students — they are going to be lucky to have you, as teachers! — Leilani Tufaga, parent
Quyana to Mr. Joe Uson at Ursa Minor Elementary! Mr. Uson is an extraordinary teacher! He has an excellent ability to instruct his learners that is not only clear and to the point, but also fun for the students. He instills a sense of respect in all of the students that they continually show for each other and for him. He corrects his learners in a positive manner that allows the students to correct themselves without feeling ashamed or embarrassed. His students love him and it shows. He has an open-door policy with his parents and is always encouraging them to get involved in their child's education. He says that the parent is the child's first teacher, and he provides endless opportunities to help the parent with that responsibility whether it be through parent workshops, extra worksheets and materials sent home, or unique field trips.
As a first-grader, my daughter was able to dissect a salmon, harvest and raise baby salmon and participate in the release of the fry at the end of the year. Mr. Uson also provides after school programs for the students free of charge. He has coached numerous activities, to include cross country running club, cross country skiing, and basketball. He even gives up his lunch time to read to the students in the cafeteria while they eat theirs. Mr. Uson is an incredible role model for the students at Ursa Minor and we are so very fortunate to have had him this year. He deserves kudos for his hard work! Thank you. — Michelle Glasscock, parent, volunteer
Quyana to Mr. Dennis Vecera at Ursa Minor Elementary! Mr. Vecera has been an incredible teacher for my third grade daughter this year. I have had the opportunity to visit the classroom on numerous occasions as well as attend several field trips this year and have been very impressed with him. This year Mr. Vecera put on a reading night, two separate math and science nights, a science fair, and a talent show, all for the whole school to attend. All of the events were hugely successful and the students flourished from the extra exposure to the math and science. He has an excellent ability to get his students excited about learning. Mr. Vecera has a love for teaching. He is always teaching the students new and interesting facts and it keeps them craving more from him.
Mr. Vecera goes above and beyond as a teacher. He deserves to be recognized for his efforts. I feel so fortunate that my daughter had him as her teacher this year. I feel somewhat worried about next year, knowing that there aren't many teachers out there that can compare! Thank you. — Michelle Glasscock, parent, volunteer
Quyana to Janelle Rogers at Alaska State School for the Deaf and Hard of Hearing! Years ago in 1993 we decided to move from Ketchikan in Southeast up here to Anchorage so that our two young boys (ages 2 and 3) could attend the School for the Deaf.
We had no idea what to expect from this school. We were still reeling from the fact that our boys were deaf.
Here we were in the "big" city of Anchorage. And to top it off here was this brand new teacher. She had never taught before, it was her first year.
What can I say. Each of the boys was with her for three years. For a couple of years she had them both. What a good, solid beginning she gave them.
When I look back over the many years that my boys have been in the school system here in Anchorage some of my fondest memories are of Janelle Rogers’ classroom.
I recently was looking through some pictures to make picture boards to display at the boys’ graduation party. I have an awful lot of pictures from those years.
Some made me laugh, some made me cry, but they all made me really glad that Janelle Rogers had come in to our life as that brand new teacher all those years ago. Thank you Janelle. — Louise S. Klune, parent
Quyana to Kim Mongeau at Alaska State School for the Deaf and Hard of Hearing! By the time my boys reached the upper levels of elementary school Kim Mongeau was teaching a combined classroom of 4th/5th/6th graders.
She had both my boys at the same time. There were some rocky years there for us as a family.
Kim saw the boys and me through a lot of personal issues at that time.
She was always an ear that I could vent to. Always available to listen to my concerns and worries about the boys or just life in general.
She was much more than my boys’ teacher, she became a friend.
I look back on that time with some tears, but also with laughter as Kim was there to continually make me feel that I was doing a good job as a mom.
Thanks Kim for your support and for all you did for my boys. — Louise S. Klune, parent
Quyana to Ms. Barleen, Ms. Gustaveson, Mr. Cohan, Ms. Stein, Ms. Carr, and Heather Jeffords at Service High School! This team has been excellent in helping my child learn and grow this year. The team has been extremely diligent about keeping the parent involved, which I appreciate. Most of all, my child learned valuable concepts from each and every teacher to take to the next grade level and beyond. I want to recognize you as an outstanding team who is very professional. Thank you. — Melanie Cochrane, parent
Quyana to Robyn Rehmann at Creekside Park Elementary! It has been a great honor to work for Dr. Robyn Rehmann at Creekside Park Elementary this last year. She embodies all aspects of a great administrator. Her unwavering abilities to listen and meet the needs of each one of her students are truly amazing. She supports and motivates her staff to be focus on the motto of, “What is best for our children.” She tirelessly works to get parents actively engaged in the decision-making process and has helped to develop one of the most successful PTAs in the district. I can speak for all of the staff at Creekside Park at saying Quyana or thank you. Everyone at Creekside and all others you have touched with your insight in education will miss your leadership as a principal. We wish you the best of luck in your retirement. — David Christal, teacher
