What’s Your Why?

Our theme for the 2021-2022 school year is “What’s Your Why?” Your “Why” is a statement of purpose that describes why you do the work you do and why you live the lifestyle you do. It is your calling. It is your conviction. It is your mission statement. It is a vision of your life’s work. All of this together makes up your personal “WHY.”

Stay tuned as we share through the 2021-2022 school year examples of “WHY” we do the work we do. In each issue of Eagle Nation magazine we will share WHY statements from our staff, students and community members!

Fran Rekstis

Instructional Aide at Middlebranch Elementary

To provide stability….Stability for our students with academic needs, as well as emotional needs. I want the students, and our staff for that matter, to know they can count on me to help them any way I can.

Vickie Casper

School Counselor at GlenOak High School

I enjoy guiding and helping youth solve problems and pursue goals. The challenge of working toward a better future for everyone is fulfilling.

Ryan McGonagle

Physical Education Teacher at Glenwood Intermediate School

Teaching provides a unique opportunity to connect and build relationships. My “WHY” is to use that opportunity to do three things on a daily basis. Be a positive influence in the lives of our students, impact the overall school culture at GWIS and give our students a GREAT experience — we want them to leave us and be glad that they went to school here. My “WHY” goes far beyond academics. We want our kids to leave Glenwood not just as better students, but as better people and members of the Plain Local community.

Samantha Ratchford

Food Service at Avondale Elementary

My why is ensuring our students are well fed to have a successful day at school, to know that they are so loved, and to put a smile on their faces!!

Ryan Cartwright

Community Liaison at Taft Elementary

To ensure each student and their families receive the love and warmth they need to succeed as a unit. Walking along side parents and carrying their burdens with them, to give them space to create healthy environments in their own lives and the lives of their children.

Hannah Ferguson

Intervention Specialist/ Coach at Oakwood Middle School

Fergie’s “Why” (a poem) Becoming a teacher is a job people think is simple you read, give assignments and that’s it my job is not simple my “why” for teaching is complex my “why” for what I love to do is much more My “why” is for the next generation my “why” is to represent the students who look like me my “why” is to be a role model for all students to look up to my “why” is to advocate for those who are overlooked my “why” is to support the whole child my “why” is to mentor those seeking guidance my “why” is knowing I’ve helped students to know their worth my “why” is the relationships I’ve made along the way and will continue to make Teaching is not simple