‘Exceptional’ educators honored by Rotary

The Rotary Club of Healdsburg Sunrise rose early on May 11 to
honor four exceptional Healdsburg teachers at their second annual
recognition breakfast.
Teachers sat around beautifully draped tabletops next to their
school principals and many other attendees from Rotary and the
community, plates full of fresh fruit, eggs and potatoes. Welcome
comments and introductions were made by Rotary President Will Seppi
followed by Healdsburg Superintendent Jeff Harding.
“These teachers plant seeds and change lives,” said Harding.
“They don’t know that they are doing it, but there will be children
who become adults and still talk about these teachers.”
Healdsburg Elementary School Special Education Teacher Vicky
Kolsrud was the first to be introduced by Principal Stephanie
Feith. Feith explained that Kolsrud has worked in the district for
34 years and is described by her colleagues as a team player that
is very detail oriented and an effective communicator.
“It takes a really special teacher to work with special
education and at risk children,” said Feith. “Her dedication to,
not just students, but students that could easily fall through the
cracks and their families to help them navigate through a special
education system that can be very scary.”
Kolsrud works with students of all ability levels and is said to
be a tireless advocate for struggling students. She was chosen for
the Teacher’s Recognition Award for dedicating her life’s work to
helping families with special needs children navigate their way
through the education system.
“You go through life and think ‘I hope I am not replaceable that
I am such a great person and that I am doing such a wonderful job
that it will be hard to get someone to take my place’ and I think
that Vicky truly is that person,” Feith said.
Following handshakes from district representatives, including
4th District Supervisor Mike McGuire, Principal Amber Stringfellow
from Healdsburg Elementary School Fitch Mountain Campus introduced
fourth grade teacher Elvira Uresti-Regan.
Stringfellow joked that unlike HES teacher Kolsrud who is
getting ready to retire, Uresti-Regan is not allowed to retire. She
said that Elvira is irreplaceable and always goes the extra mile
for her students. She was described as excellent when it comes to
helping students meet their goals.
“Elvira is the perfect example of our four fantastic teachers
here,” Stringfellow said. “She is caring and dedicated, and truly
is a gift and an asset to our school and our students.”
After expressing her gratitude, Stringfellow went on to tell a
story reflecting Uresti-Regan’s dedication to the district. She
explained that this year a teacher had left the school in the
middle of the year and that Uresti-Regan stepped in to take on the
class.
“She did it because it was what was best for the students, and
that is what she does everyday,” Stringfellow said.
Next to take the podium was Principal Deborah Hall from
Healdsburg Junior High School. She was there to recognize sixth
grade math teacher Robin Doherty. Doherty was described as a
mathematical innovator who continually checks on her students for
understanding and makes learning math fun.
“We have been so fortunate to have her join us at the junior
high,” Hall said. “She is an amazing teacher in so many ways and
spends so much time wondering what she can do to make sure students
are learning.”
Hall completed her speech with quotes and letters written by
Doherty’s students.
“At the end of last year I was struggling with math a lot, at
the end of this year my math scores are steadily climbing thanks to
Mrs. Doherty’s algebra readiness class and her tutoring in the
morning before school that helps break down hard math,” Hall
read.
To complete the honorary breakfast, Healdsburg High School
Principal Chris Vanden Heuvel presented his appreciation award to
English teacher John Linker.
Linker has been an English teacher for ten years and is said to
be regularly cited as a highlight in students’ high school career.
Vanden Hovel described Linker as innovative, engaging and
thoughtful with a strong student rapport and too many positive
characteristics to list.
“From bell to bell there is no better place for kids to be than
with John Linker,” Vanden Heuvel said.
Better described as a craftsman of English instruction than a
teacher, Vanden Heuvel said that students are opened up to the
world of English through Linker’s class and that they hang on his
every word.
“He is very purposeful in everything he does, and it shows,”
said Vanden Heuvel.
All four teachers were presented with a plaque from The Rotary
Club of Healdsburg along with a check for $500. Proclamations and
awards were given by Rotarian Larry Orr, Supervisor Mike McGuire
and representatives for both Congressman Mike Thompson and
Assemblyman Wesley Chesboro.
Staff Writer Robin Hug can be reached at Ro***@hb*****.com.