Erika Nelson is an integral member of John Wetten Elementary’s leadership team. As the teacher who runs our CARE Team, she is in charge of the intervention process for students exhibiting frustration responses that could impede learning for classmates. She has strong relationships with our students who need relationships with trusted adults the most. In reliably showing up for our staff and students, she has a positive disposition and responds to challenges with skill, care and a deep work ethic.
Congratulations to her and all three Gladstone School District staff members who won Thank a Teacher awards this year. The Thank A Teacher award was conceived about 25 years ago by Dick Baker (an original GHS staff member) when he was serving as a founding member of the Gladstone Education Foundation. The foundation manages the income and assets associated with funding these annual awards.
The concept of the award is that alumni can make a contribution to the fund in the name of Gladstone teachers who had a significant influence on their educational experience. The foundation and Gladstone School District do their best to convey those thanks to the former teacher.
Funding for these awards is also sustained in part by Peggy Baker. A former teacher herself, every September on the occasion of their anniversary, she delivers a check to the foundation in memory of her husband and best friend.
In turn, the district is able to thank a current teacher with a cash award. In keeping with Mr. Baker's philosophy of "just getting things done," there are no rules and no reporting associated with how the award money is spent. Teachers are encouraged to do whatever they find fulfilling. Or, as Mr. Baker would say, "Live a little."
In similar fashion, the Making a Difference Award was created to recognize the outstanding work of three classified employees each year with $250 checks. This endowment is funded by a private donor. Checks for both awards are from the Gladstone Education Foundation.