As we celebrate Teacher Appreciation Week, we pause to honor the extraordinary educators who make 里奇菲尔德公立学校 a place where students—and staff—thrive. 我们学区的每位老师都有独特的视角，对学习的热情，以及对公平、社区和学生成功的坚定承诺。 无论他们是在教室里还是在教室外工作，他们的影响都是我们地区的核心。

Our Teachers Love Their Students—And Each Other

我们的教育工作者一次又一次地表示，他们非常重视与里奇菲尔德的学生一起工作。 “Our students are the best!” says 米利暗Bungert, a third-year teacher at 里奇菲尔德高中. “They regularly greet me, ask how I’m doing, and even about my weekend. They are the sweetest.” Jana Rhoden, a teacher of 22 years, agrees: “里奇菲尔德高中 has some of the best students in the world.”

At Sheridan Hills, Nichol Kamholz, the art specialist for 12 years, echoes that sentiment: “Spending time with our amazing students and feeling part of a family with the staff here—it’s what I love most.” Sarah Olson agrees, saying the best part of her job is “being with the students! They keep each day exciting and different.”

Jenelle Bullen, 早期学习 Coordinator at the Central Education Center, highlights the impact of educators themselves: “The best part of my job is building up teacher leaders,” she says, “and seeing all the amazing little things they do for children and families, and acknowledging their hard work.”

Special education coach Shannon Ritt, who supports staff and students across the district, adds: “We have so many gifted staff members who bring truly amazing experiences to our students.”

创造现实世界的学习和持久的影响

我们的许多老师说，他们最大的乐趣是让学生为毕业后的生活做好准备。 内特·爱德华兹, Work-Based Learning teacher at 里奇菲尔德高中, puts it simply: “I love preparing students for ‘real-life’ experiences. From learning how to complete a job application, practicing interview techniques, and writing professional emails, I feel like what I teach will immediately prepare students for life after high school.”

亚历克西斯·塞策尔是一名家庭和消费者科学教师，她对教授实用的生活技能有着同样的热情。 “Family and Consumer Sciences isn't just ‘home economics’ or ‘cooking and sewing.’ It empowers students with essential knowledge and skills for life after high school. From human development, nutrition and cooking, textile and apparel, housing, or career readiness—these courses help students make informed decisions, build healthy relationships, and make meaningful contributions to their families, communities, and workplaces.”

里奇菲尔德高中的双语社会研究老师艾丽西亚·瓦卡·阿隆索强调了她的课程中更深层次的价值观。 “Social studies education isn’t just about dates and events; it’s about building democratic values, developing critical thinking, understanding our roots, and learning to connect with the world through empathy and integrity,” she explains. “In an age obsessed with productivity, instant gratification, and individualism, teaching students to think deeply, and to value memory, community, identity, and justice, is a necessary act.”

Every Day Looks Different—and That’s a Good Thing

没有哪两天是相同的，我们的老师热情地拥抱各种各样的日子。 艾琳·休伯（Erin Huber）是该地区教育工作者的同行评议人和新教师导师，她喜欢这种不断的变化。 “Some days I can be in up to five buildings. I get to see how our incredible staff come together to create a positive community for our students.”

林赛·拉森（林赛•拉森）是一名中学中心的特殊教育教师，她在一个充满活力的环境中茁壮成长。 “I teach a different subject every class period. 我一天中的大部分时间都花在解决问题上。 This can be exhausting, but I am constantly learning and growing.”

Greg VonRuden, a veteran Science teacher at 里奇菲尔德中学 with 28 years of experience, sums it up well: “A typical day is hectic but rewarding.” Molly Taylor, PE teacher at Sheridan Hills, calls it “controlled chaos,” while Centennial first-grade teacher Mackenzie Moen-VonAhnen adds, “No day is ever the same! Like all educators, we always have to be ready to change any plans on a whim.”

公平、多元化和包容是我们DNA的一部分

股本 isn’t a program in Richfield—it’s a mindset that guides everything we do. “I appreciate the open-mindedness and integrity of this district, especially in regards to DEI,” says 帕特里夏·麦克杜格尔, a teacher at 里奇菲尔德中学. Erin Huber agrees: “I love that we are equity focused and support ALL students' success.”

特蕾莎Halpern also values the district’s approach: “I love the supportive nature of our district and the emphasis on equity. Many of the people I've worked with over the years have become lifelong friends.”

对于双语社会研究教师艾丽西亚·瓦卡·阿隆索（艾丽西亚·瓦卡·阿隆索）来说，公平深深植根于文化中。 “This is a district where equity and diversity are not buzzwords—they are part of the culture. I feel proud to work in a place where student voices matter and where the entire educational community works together in service of the community itself.”

She adds, “What I love most about my job is helping students become critical thinkers in a world filled with misinformation and oversimplification. In Richfield, equity and diversity are not buzzwords—they are part of the culture.”

双语文学教师丽贝卡·阿雷东多（Rebecca Arredondo）赞同这种对有意义、包容性学习的承诺。 “I love teaching literature that engages students. It’s amazing watching them use their bilingual skills in meaningful ways.”

From First-Year to Retirement—A Lifelong Commitment to Education

At 里奇菲尔德公立学校, teaching is more than a job—it’s a calling that spans decades and inspires generations.

有些人，比如特蕾莎·哈尔彭，正在结束一段漫长而有意义的职业生涯。 After 24 years at Sheridan Hills—and more in North Dakota—she reflects on the depth of the profession: “We are educators, caregivers, psychologists, facilitators, encouragers, problem solvers... all while orchestrating behaviors and interruptions as seamlessly as possible.”

其他人则刚刚开始他们的旅程。 安吉Zielinski, a first-year preschool teacher at the Central Education Center, shares: “Preschool teachers cram a lot into a short time! Science, social studies, music, phy ed, math, literacy, art, snack… most if not all of it is done through play-based activities and FUN!”

Alexis Setzer, in her second year as a Family and Consumer Sciences teacher, says: “I appreciate being part of RPS because of its supportive and welcoming environment. Everyone is genuinely invested in helping each other grow and succeed in the field of education.”

Third-year teacher 米利暗Bungert agrees: “I appreciate the professionalism of our staff. I trust that everyone is doing their best, cares for our students, and is doing the best they can to lift them up.”

早期学习 teacher 公司Losier highlights the foundational role of educators in students’ lives: “We have many roles to fill such as teacher, nurse, therapist and friend. 最重要的角色是与学生建立积极的关系，这是学校成功的基础。 We start in 早期学习 to help foster the joy of learning for future years!"

一个关心的社区

Whether it’s conducting ECSE evaluations, teaching middle school reasoning skills, or exploring photography techniques, every teacher in Richfield has a story rooted in connection, creativity, and compassion.

坦尼娅奥尔森, part of the Early Childhood team, captures this spirit: “Even on the hard days, my team knows how to find the bright spots—and sometimes even laugh through the chaos—which makes all the difference.”

“There is an abundance of caring, wonderful people here,” shares Ani Cassellius, an Art teacher at 里奇菲尔德高中. 她最近与里奇菲尔德中学的美术老师合作，很高兴有机会观摩一堂课。 “I was grateful to have deeper conversation about systems of education with another professional,” she explains, adding that the experience helped align curriculum across grade levels.

“The folks who work here are awesome, and I feel cared about,” says high school teacher Matthew Caruso. At the middle school, photography teacher 梅尔文威利斯 adds, “I enjoy working in an environment where I can be myself while encouraging students. This is a district where I can be myself completely with comfortability.”

北卡罗来纳州米勒, a teacher at Sheridan Hills, emphasizes the value of representation and solidarity: “Connecting with other BIPOC educators is something I love about working in 里奇菲尔德公立学校.”

Visiting teacher Maria Guadalupe Leonor Ramirez Fuentes from 里奇菲尔德双语学校 also highlights the power of collaboration: “I am passionate about teaching. 我从同事那里学到了很多。 They have taught me about teaching in the USA.”

Christine Clay at 里奇菲尔德中学 praises her colleagues, saying, “The admin team is top notch and so is the special education support team!” Fellow RMS teacher Hailey Karlovich agrees: “The community here is great—the staff community is very supportive and friendly, the families have welcomed me, and the students have a lot of fun personality.”

庆祝里奇菲尔德之心：我们的老师

从一年级的教师到经验丰富的退伍军人，从幼儿园到高中实验室，里奇菲尔德的老师们每天都把激情、韧性和深切的关怀带到他们的工作中。 它们创造了现实世界的学习机会，促进了包容和公平的课堂，并建立了影响学校之外生活的持久关系。

Their stories reflect a vibrant, dedicated community—one where every student is seen, valued, and supported. 无论是应对日常挑战，与同事分享欢笑，还是指导下一代教育工作者，我们的教师都是里奇菲尔德公立学校的核心。

This Teacher Appreciation Week, we honor and thank each of them—not just for what they do, but for who they are. Because in Richfield, teaching isn’t just a job. It’s a calling, a commitment, and a community.