Last Updated: Monday, August 14, 2006 1:17 PM CDT
Eagle River woman named VFW Teacher of the Year
The Eagle River district of the Veterans of Foreign Wars (VFW) recently named local resident Pamela Klessig the VFW Teacher of the Year.
Annually the VFW names three teachers to this prestigious award, one each from elementary, junior high and high school teachers across the country.
Recipients are chosen by their commitment to teach Americanism and patriotism to their students.
Klessig, who taught both second and third grade classes at Eagle River Elementary School, authored a play titled “The Flag: The American Spirit” after the September 11, 2001, attacks on the World Trade Center and the Pentagon.
Inspired by her three sons, two of whom were enlisted in the United States Military, and the history of the American Flag as a national icon, she has coordinated three annual presentations of the play by students at Eagle River and Land O' Lakes Elementary Schools, part of the Northland Pines School District.
To get the local youth involved in supporting troops, Klessig also coordinated a program in which her students communicated regularly with soldiers stationed in Iraq.
Students wrote letters to the troops and sent Christmas cards and stockings.
Klessig helped organize a support group which meets downtown in Eagle River. Participants hold up American flags and ‘Support Our Troops' signs every other Friday in an effort to educate the public on the soldiers' perspectives.
“Veterans are very touched by our efforts. Many shake our hands, give us hugs, and thank us,” states Klessig.
“I wanted children in my area to understand what Patriotism is all about, and the sacrifices soldiers have made for our freedom throughout history. There is a great price to be paid, and our troops are the reason we are strong,” says Klessig. “These children are the future of this country, and we need to teach them to be proud.”
Klessig is a graduate of the ongoing co-op program between Nicolet Area Technical College and Silver Lake College, and received her Bachelor of Science degree in Early Childhood Education in the year 2001.
She now teaches third grade at Phelps Elementary School in Phelps. Though she still participates in coordinating supportive activities with local students, the program has grown and acquired a new director.
| Tell us what you think... |
| Comments » |
The
comments above are from readers. In no way do they represent the views of the Rhinelander Daily News. |
|
| Post a comment
(150 word limit) » |
| We will not post reader comments containing
racial, religious or personal attacks, slander,
profanity, e-mail addresses, mailing addresses,
phone numbers or Web site addresses that are
for personal or promotional gain. |
|
|
| Thank you for your comments! Once your comments
are approved, they will appear on the site. |
|
|
|
|
feed
Comments
