Bemis Junior High School issued the following announcement on Oct 22.
It was just another Tuesday for Laura Schlitt, 6th grade teacher at Ebeling Elementary. Schlitt was mid-instruction when she was informed that her class had a visitor, however they were not there for the students as may be typical, the visitor was there to see her.
That visitor was Tim Youngblood, interim principal at Henry Ford II High School. Youngblood was visiting Schlitt’s class on behalf of Chris Williams, a Ford II senior football player who was a former student of hers when he was in 6th grade.
Youngblood presented Schlitt with Williams’ football jersey and read her a letter written to her from Williams. Schlitt began to cry - it was a day she would never forget.
“There is no better recognition for a teacher than to find out you made a difference in a student’s life,” said Schlitt.
“Chris was the kind of leader you hope to have in your classroom. He worked hard and pushed himself to be the best he could be; he was truly a joy!”
Williams, along with his 13 senior football teammates, personally recognized their favorite teacher with their jerseys in their classrooms on Tuesday and will recognize them once more on the field at tonight’s football game.
Echoing Schlitt on how unforgettable the recognition was for her, Youngblood said, “today was the best day as an educator I’ve had in a long time.”
“To see the faces of the teachers and also to see how proud their current students were when their teacher was recognized was a memory I will always cherish.”
Of all the teachers that taught the senior football players throughout their UCS tenure, the players were tasked with choosing one to recognize.
“I wanted to choose a teacher who helped me excel and who I have the most memories with,” John Tauber, Henry Ford II senior, said. “I chose to honor Mrs. Brown (formerly Ms. Werner), who taught me in the 5th and 6th grades at Browning Elementary.”
“It was the least I could do for her after everything she has done for me.”
In a time when distance is often encouraged, Henry Ford II has focused their attention on rebuilding community connections.
“I want our teachers to feel valued,” said youngblood. “They have had a very hard couple of years and this project is a reminder of the immense impact they have on a child’s life.”
“My belief is that relationships drive the world, and education is no different.”
The recognition ceremony will be held between the first and second quarters of tonight’s home football game versus Ann Arbor Pioneer. The game will begin at 7pm at Runkel Field, located on Stevenson High School’s campus at 39701 Dodge Park Rd, Sterling Heights, MI 48313.
Original source can be found here.
Source: Bemis Junior High School
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