Last month trees and custom made benches were installed with funds dedicated to the memory of former teacher Beverli Helmke. These gifts to the school district were originally supposed to provide enough support to purchase a single tree. The outpouring of positive sentiment towards the memory of this beloved teacher was four times this amount.
When we sometimes think the world doesn’t care and people are becoming more self-centered it is so heartening to see such warm displays of love and affection for a teacher. The tree at the South Elementary was placed at the K-2nd grade playground. In fact, it is placed so that it can be viewed from the window of her former classroom. At the dinner table a few weeks ago my second grade daughter was concerned that kids were “climbing” on Mrs. Helmke’s bench. I explained to her that Mrs. Helmke would want nothing more than for kids to enjoy themselves at school. She was just that kind of lady. A former student wrote on my blog that “Mrs. Helmke was an awesome teacher! I loved every single moment that I spent with her in her classroom. I know that she will be greatly missed and will always be in my heart. She was the best 3rd grade math teacher that anybody could ever have!”
This season many of us will receive and give gifts to those we love and care about. Mrs. Helmke didn’t wait until Christmas, she gave the gift of herself to her students every day. I hope these two oaks grow to be giant trees. They must be very tall to match the legacy of this wonderful teacher.
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