South Haven Rotary Honors Teacher Of The Year

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200606annadevries0001

The Rotary Club of South Haven has honored its teacher of the year. The Rotary released the following statement on Sunday morning:

A South Haven teacher who took an extraordinary path to becoming an educator has been presented the 2020 Education and Service Award by the Rotary Club of South Haven.
Anna DeVries, a third grade teacher at Lincoln Elementary, has been honored as an educator who exemplifies attributes that go beyond teaching.
DeVries taught in Covert and Benton Harbor prior to joining the South Haven system in 2014. Her grandparents, Don and Dorothy Jackson, were both teachers. DeVries’ classroom at Lincoln Elementary is the same room where her grandfather taught.
DeVries’ path to a career in education is especially impacting.
“If you knew me when I was younger, you would have never guessed I would have followed in my grandparents’ footsteps. I once dropped out of high school. I was disconnected and lost in the school system. After I had my daughter, I returned to school and found myself at home in a classroom because I truly enjoy learning.
DeVries graduated from Eastern Michigan University and became a reading specialist after getting a Master’s degree from Western Michigan University.
“It is from these personal experiences that I grew a passion for helping every student succeed. Connecting those students who struggle academically and emotionally is important to me,” she said.
Lincoln Elementary principal Katie Jobson, in her nomination of DeVries, observed that “not only does the ongoing development of her craft lead Anna to be a strong presence in the classroom, but the way she develops positive relationships with her students is noteworthy. Anna is our go-to person for science instruction, providing leadership and new learning to her-colleagues.”
In this unique time of a prolonged school closure due to the COVID pandemic, DeVries is credited with establishing ways to connect with her students online and for being quick to respond to their needs.
“As someone who once hated face-timing, I have quickly learned to love it when I see the joy on the faces of the kids seeing their friends,” DeVries said.
“Equality is an issue that definitely sparks my passion,” said DeVries. “Creating equal opportunities for all of our students to succeed, regardless of wealth, race, culture, or beliefs, is something I strive for every day. Unfair opportunities that lead to a gap in achievement is something that disturbs me, something that may likely be getting worse with distance learning, and something I work to fight against as much as I can.”
“Anna’s generosity with her time is a benefit for her students, her colleagues, and the greater South Haven community,” said Jobson.
She is also active in the community, serving on the Board of Foundry Hall and as treasurer for the South Haven Education Association., She has been involved with Girls on the Run, encouraging young girls to have positive self images of themselves. She has partnered with the garden club on projects that have beautified South Haven schools, including an outdoor learning area at Lincoln.
The Rotarians, in collaboration with the South Haven Public Schools Educational Foundation and the South Haven campus of Lake Michigan College, annually  recognize an educator who exemplifies the attributes of quality teaching and is an active volunteer in the South Haven community. Nominations for this honor are received from the education community. A $250 contribution will be presented to the Educational Foundation in DeVries’ name by Rotary.
Over the past 15 years the Rotarians have also contributed over $200,000 in support of financial aid for students at the South Have campus and to benefit programmatic initiatives within the South Haven public schools systems.