As we continue to celebrate teacher appreciation week we’re honoring another outstanding educator going above and beyond.
Mr. Jeff Richards has third graders in the Waterford School District excited about learning and that has one local business coughing up some cash to keep his All Star efforts going.
“Houghton Elementary was recognized by the State of Michigan as a Rewards School this year because we achieved in the top 5% of schools in the state for our growth in achievement,” Principal Valerie Grimes said.
The numbers don’t lie and Grimes of Houghton Elementary says these smart students are a testament to their great teachers.
“I love 3rd grade because they’re still enthusiastic about learning, they’re independent, they laugh at my jokes – they might not be funny to other people but they still laugh at my jokes,” Mr. Jeff Richards said.
Richards is a student favorite with a focus on reading that gets his students excited.
“Before, I didn’t really think I was good or anything like that and I would say I was wasting my time but now I would say it opens my imagination to different new worlds and it helps me get rid of all my stress,” one student said.
“I wasn’t really big on reading but Mr. Richards, he’s introduced a lot of new books to me and I really like it,” another student said.
So much so North American Bancard Holdings was so inspired by Mr. Richards, they decided to donate $500 toward his efforts.
“We are going to use it to buy some informational text to supplement our classroom library,” Richards said. “We’re talking how-to pieces, we’re talking biographies, books about animals.”
Materials the next class can use with Mr. Richards to get fired up about reading.
“Thank you for when we’re stuck on something helping us and saying never give up, keep trying,” a student said.
Congratulations Mr. Richards! We want to know who's going above and beyond in your school. To nominate someone for Ann Marie’s All Stars email Annmarie.laflamme@wxyz.com
