Monticello Live

Kathy Smith of the Walton Family Foundation spoke to MIS and MHS students, and guests, at a “surprise” meeting this morning. She said, “We have some very exciting news today that we’ve been keeping secret.”

Smith spoke about how most adults with careers will always point back to a teacher that helped guide them in that direction.

“We need to thank them [teachers] every day.” – Smith

Ms. Smith then asked three of the past Teachers of the Year to stand before the crowd with her. “These teachers represent the best of all of you.”

Ms. Smith then presented Governor Mike Beebe to the audience calling him a “champion of education and economic development.”

Governor Beebe spoke to the crowd saying, “I’ve had the privilege of watching the Billies play football… they usually put out a pretty good product.” “And, whoever is running this music department is doing a heck of a job!”

With little hesitation, Governor Beebe quickly announced that the real reason for the meeting was to present Kimberly Wilson as Teacher of the Year. Mrs. Wilson is a visual art teacher at MHS.

After praising teachers and calling them the “backbone” of the education department, the Governor then began speaking of how important not only the basics of education are, especially reading, but also how the appreciation and understanding of art shapes people.

“You aren’t much of a person if you can’t understand the finer things in life… you’ve done that with our kids… you deserve Teacher of the Year,” Governor Beebe said to Kimberly Wilson.

After hugging her children and her husband, accepting her roses and her large check to represent her financial award of $15,000 (from the Walton Family Foundation) Mrs. Wilson said, “I want to thank you… thank you. It humbles me.” “First, I’m privileged to be part of a fantastic school district.” “The other half… here’s what makes the difference… it’s your [students’] effort that makes it all work.”

Mrs. Wilson then said to the 4th and 5th grade students present, “You made me a great teacher; you made this possible.”

In closing Mrs. Wilson said, “Thank you to my family, my 2 children are here. They spend a lot of hours in the classroom.” “I could not do it if I did not have a fantastic, loving, supporting husband.” “I would like to thank my Principals..” She went on to describe how they never tell her no when she comes to them with her “crazy” ideas.

MHS Principal Kenny Pennington closed the meeting by saying, “Mrs. Kim, the secret is out now!”

In a brief interview with Live after the assembly, Mrs. Wilson stated she was suspicious as to what this whole thing was really about based upon emails that “seemed fishy” to her. When she walked into the room and saw her children and husband in the front row, that’s when she realized this was for her.

This entry was posted on Monday, December 5th, 2011 at 6:20 am and is filed under Monticello School News, Video. You can follow any responses to this entry through the RSS 2.0 feed. You can leave a response, or trackback from your own site.