‘Panther Professionals’ honors MCSD educators


Kim Brooks
Babbling Brooks Column
By: 
Kim Brooks
Express Editor

     A couple of months ago, the Express started a series called “Panther Professionals.” The idea behind these features was to introduce the community to those who dedicate their professional lives to teaching the children who live in Monticello.

     At the start of every new school year, the Express does mini spotlights on the new teachers and staff of the Monticello Community School District and Sacred Heart School. Then, as staff retires, we also interview them as their teaching careers come to an end. It’s a way for them to reflect on the past and recall the reason they got into education in the first place.

     After featuring the new and retiring teachers and staff of the MCSD, we got to thinking… What about all those in between?

     New people move to Monticello and their children enter the local school district. But, do the parents know all those who work with and inspire their children from the beginning to the end of their school day?

     We’re lucky to live, work and play in a small town that allows us to get to know those around us. If we had a much larger school district, it’d be hard to get to know them all.

     Since I’ve interviewed several of the district staff thus far, I’ve enjoyed hearing everyone’s unique story about how they got into teaching and education, what brought them to the MCSD, and what they enjoy about what they do for a living. We’ve featured the two MCSD nurses and art teachers, and it’s fun hearing their personal stories. While their jobs and passions might be similar, how they got here is different.

     So hopefully you’ve enjoyed the Panther Professional series, with more to come for sure! The goal is to feature all those who wish to share their story.

     Education is such an important part of a child’s life; our school districts are such important assets to any community.

     I know for me, several key educators in my life help shape who I am, introduced me to my passion in life, and made me realize that lifelong learning is a must. You see many of our teachers and school staff here in Monticello making differences as well, whether it’s that band teacher encouraging a middle schooler to continue their love of playing the trombone, the high school math teacher inspiring a student to become a teacher themselves, or government teacher instilling the importance of politics and serving one’s country. The job of every teacher/educator remains the same, and the lives they’re entrusted with during a school day are even more so important.

     If you have not been contacted concerning the Panther Professionals series, you will. I hope these features have given the community an opportunity to get to know those working in our schools.

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