CountyCONGRATULATIONS Taylor - starnews_20250501_tsn-2025-05-01-a-002_w-opt_art_2.xml
Educatorof the Month
C ounty CONGRATULATIONS Taylor Dena & Jim Dobbs Educator of the Month What do you teach? Dena: Kindergarten Teacher in the Rib Lake School District Jim: Middle School Special Education, Rib Lake Middle School (grades 6-8) How long have you been an educator? Dena: 29 years (13 in Rib Lake) Jim: 30 years (27 in Rib Lake) Who was your favorite/best teacher when you were a student and why? Dena: My first grade teacher from Colfax was amazing. Mrs. Liebech inspired and empowered her students through her many talents. She played a vital role helping me discover my potential and she had the ability to build meaningful relationships with all of her students. Jim: Mr. Frank Keyes (Colfax High School), he was firm, yet had a sense of humor. Why did you choose this profession? Dena: I find that working with young children is incredibly rewarding. I love to experience the joy of seeing students grow and learn. Jim: I’ve always wanted to help people achieve their goals by impacting success both in and out of the classroom. I appreciate the self-fulfillment teaching brings me through being a part of a person’s growth and helping them make life-long decisions. What inspires you to continue as an educator? Dena: Teaching provides a sense of purpose and allows individuals to turn their passions into their work. Also my students and colleagues energize me, good energy is contagious! Jim: Actually, both Dena and I are retiring this year. However, my purpose has always been how much I enjoyed being an influence as both a teacher and coach. Building relationships has always been a high priority for me. Many of my former students have become friends of mine I enjoy spending leisure time with. What is your favorite memory as an educator? Dena: One of my favorite memories was during Kindergarten Graduation many years ago. My student had a father that was deployed in Afghanistan and he was able to join us via Zoom. Teaching is just one of the direct ways to make an impact and be able to contribute to your community. Jim: Having a ZOOM meeting with my son’s PE class in Enid, OK! It was inspiring to see the energy and enthusiasm taking place. I actually had to schedule another meeting due to the volume of conversations between the two groups! Sponsored in partnership with: 39632_17 C ounty CONGRATULATIONS Taylor Dena & Jim Dobbs Educator of the Month What do you teach? Dena: Kindergarten Teacher in the Rib Lake School District Jim: Middle School Special Education, Rib Lake Middle School (grades 6-8) How long have you been an educator? Dena: 29 years (13 in Rib Lake) Jim: 30 years (27 in Rib Lake) Who was your favorite/best teacher when you were a student and why? Dena: My first grade teacher from Colfax was amazing. Mrs. Liebech inspired and empowered her students through her many talents. She played a vital role helping me discover my potential and she had the ability to build meaningful relationships with all of her students. Jim: Mr. Frank Keyes (Colfax High School), he was firm, yet had a sense of humor. Why did you choose this profession? Dena: I find that working with young children is incredibly rewarding. I love to experience the joy of seeing students grow and learn. Jim: I’ve always wanted to help people achieve their goals by impacting success both in and out of the classroom. I appreciate the self-fulfillment teaching brings me through being a part of a person’s growth and helping them make life-long decisions. What inspires you to continue as an educator? Dena: Teaching provides a sense of purpose and allows individuals to turn their passions into their work. Also my students and colleagues energize me, good energy is contagious! Jim: Actually, both Dena and I are retiring this year. However, my purpose has always been how much I enjoyed being an influence as both a teacher and coach. Building relationships has always been a high priority for me. Many of my former students have become friends of mine I enjoy spending leisure time with. What is your favorite memory as an educator? Dena: One of my favorite memories was during Kindergarten Graduation many years ago. My student had a father that was deployed in Afghanistan and he was able to join us via Zoom. Teaching is just one of the direct ways to make an impact and be able to contribute to your community. Jim: Having a ZOOM meeting with my son’s PE class in Enid, OK! It was inspiring to see the energy and enthusiasm taking place. I actually had to schedule another meeting due to the volume of conversations between the two groups! Sponsored in partnership with: 39632_17
The Medford Area Middle School Band would like to share a big thank you to all of our business/foundation donors as well as individuals who have supported the program via their Mattress or Kwik Trip Card Fundraiser. Individuals and organizations who have donated to the MAMS band program are: Medford Education Association, The Classes of 67-72, Patrick Marsh Foundation, Weather Shield LITE Foundation, Forward Bank, Nathan Bilodeau, AnnMarie Grant, and Purple Mattress. “If you see people from these organizations, please thank them! We have been able to raise about $8,500 through donations/grants and $7,000 through fundraisers. The generous support of our community has allowed us to purchase: 2 piccolos, 4 clarinets, 4 alto saxophones, 1 tenor saxophone, 3 trumpets, 3 trombones, and a bass drum stand,” said middle school band teacher Kendra Junk. “These instruments are going directly into the hands of the students. The best part of being able to provide new instruments is how excited students get when they receive a new and working instrument,” she said. They consistently have instruments that need to be repaired and are often coming back from repair with a higher repair cost than the value of the instrument. They have several instruments in student hands right now that are functioning enough to work but are not in great shape. If you would like to donate to the MAMS band program, would like to read more about the condition of our instruments, or to see the complete list of donors please visit: https://bit.ly/SupportMAMSBand. “As always thank you for your support of the MAMS Band Program,” Junk said. SUBMITTED
The Medford Area Senior High School Choir traveled to Holy Rosary Catholic Church on March 16 to put on a choir performance. Pieces including traditional arrangements as well as the choir members surrounding the audience with their voices. ALEX WILSON/THE STAR NEWS
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