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Elkins-Randolph County Chamber of Commerce and Kump Education Center will host an event Wednesday, Nov. 15, from 4:30-6 p.m. to honor teachers during National Education Week. This "Business Made Smarter" gathering is an opportunity to focus on teacher excellence and to strengthen relationships between educators and the business community. It is also a time to tour historic Kump House and learn more about the Appalachian Forest National Heritage Area.
The celebration of our "Apple for the Teacher Tree" will be a time when the public is welcome to visit our Learning Lab and see the wooden tree created by Randall Arbogast commissioned by Susan Ellison to honor great teachers. Twenty-seven wooden apples on the tree name teachers who have made a difference in the lives of their students. Donors have given $500 for each apple to support Kump Center and represent the unique ways that good teachers have helped individual donors, their family members, and/or their community. In this column you will learn about a few current teachers who have apples on our tree.
Our apple naming Lucy Godwin reminds us of a young teacher at Beverly Elementary School who has been in the news for her work on the Beverly Bookmobile. Godwin does not take all the credit for this project because she believes "It takes a village...." She said, "Many hands and hearts have shared unique talents and ideas that have made our project a success." As a Title I Reading Specialist, Godwin has unique skills in the teaching of reading, and she understands that the most important thing about learning to read well is to practice reading when kids are not in school. Retired teacher Jean Jory is the donor who recognized the importance of Godwin's work.
Another fine local teacher currently teaching at Midland Elementary School is Sarah Wamsley. Principal Tina Wallace said, "Ms. Wamsley has the ability to make every student feel good about themselves, and she creates an incredible learning environment in her classroom." She even expanded learning opportunities to a Butterfly Garden outside the school. Former educator Joyce Allen is the donor who put an apple on our tree to call attention to Ms. Wamsley's work.
Our apple naming Susan Chua represents an elementary school teacher who grew up in Elkins and became a lawyer in California but decided she could make more difference as a teacher. She said, "I teach because I believe that every child has a right to an excellent education. Positive societal change is possible if we provide equitable opportunities for every student. Being able to read, think critically, and learn independently are key skills young people need to become the types of leaders and community members that are vital to creating a more just society." Ms. Chua quoted James Baldwin: "It is certain, in any case that ignorance, allied with power, is the most ferocious enemy justice can have." Linda Chua, who has been one of our best supporters for the last 16 years, is the donor who put Susan Chua's apple on our teacher tree.