Elementary school volunteer inspires community to celebrate educators
Apr. 4—Educators across Cass County are being celebrated this week as part of a campaign to honor teachers and staff at the four area schools.
It was all spearheaded by Chuck Newton, a Lafayette man and retired compliance officer/internal audit liaison at Logansport Savings Bank who volunteers as part of the United Way Reading Railroad at Fairview Elementary School.
He was inspired to take up the call for educators after seeing what they have been through over the past few years during the pandemic.
He said they carried on "very bravely."
"I think that they need to be cheered on, especially right now because they have seen the impact on the kids for not having regular school every year," he said.
As part of the week long festivities, teachers and staff will be treated to pizza and salad at each of the schools. Four County will hand out wellness bags to teacher and staff with items and information on handling stress. Radio stations 1230 WSAL and 94.9 FM "Talk of the Town" will cover the event Tuesday morning starting at 9 a.m. The Logansport online student magazine, the "Logansport High School Magpie," in partnership with the Logansport High School Key Club, will announce teachers of the week beginning Wednesday, April 6, until the end of the school year.
Also on Wednesday, Logansport mayor Chris Martin will issue a proclamation honoring teachers.
"The appreciation initiative put together by Chuck Newton and Key Club, along with the support of the mayor, local service organizations and businesses to make it happen is awesome," said Logansport School Corporation superintendent Michele Starkey. "Showing all school staff members within our county the appreciation and support will have a positive impact and be so appreciated by all. I am so thankful for the support that we have received within our community."
Newton said people in the community have been very supportive of his endeavors. Logansport Security Federal Bank and the Logansport Kiwanis provided support for the week and Logansport Savings Bank, McCord's and the United Way also contributed.
Both of Newton's parents were teachers so he knows the effort it takes. While Newton didn't follow in his parents' footsteps, he takes great joy reading to the elementary students at Fairview.
"Part of what I admire about the teachers is that they aren't doing it for the money," he said. "They are doing it for the love of the kids. They are unsung heroes."
Newton said that teachers inspire kids every day, acting as positive role models for their students. He said he saw their efforts every time he read to their students.
"Like the policemen, I see a lot of good teachers," he said. "And I think the teachers have gotten kind of a bad rap on the national level. I don't see that here. They are dedicated. They love the kids. They are doing it for the right reasons. And thank God they are."
