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Roseville Middle School interventionist Madonna Voyles, left, has a conversation with sixth grader Adrianna Flores. Voyles chose Flores as her “Be The Reason” student.
Photo provided by Joe Genest
Roseville Middle School seventh grader A’Myrah DeBose, right, gets a hug from art teacher Jen Moore.
Photo provided by Joe Genest
Roseville Middle School sixth grader Aiden Heath, right, was touched by Adrienne Miller’s kind words. Miller is a restorative justice facilitator.
Photo provided by Joe Genest
ROSEVILLE — Roseville Community Schools recently made national news.
When word got out about an activity that brought a large group of Roseville Middle School students and teachers closer together, “NBC Nightly News” and anchor Kate Snow broadcast the project March 5.
After the COVID-19 pandemic, teacher Stasi Earl noticed some students and teachers, including herself, had a hard time adjusting to being back in school full-time. To help with the transition, Earl came up with an idea.
She organized a school project in which teachers wrote notes by hand to students letting them know how much they inspire them to teach every day. Teachers picked one student to recognize and were encouraged to write down their thoughts regarding how that particular student motivates them. Community Choice Credit Union even donated card stock that included the Roseville Middle School logo on the front and the message “Be The Reason” on the back.
About 50 staff members — including teachers, custodians, counselors and secretaries — participated. After writing their personal notes, the staff members met face to face with their students in the media center, where the letters were unveiled. The staff acknowledged students for their “kindness, intelligence and awesomeness.”
The students’ reactions were videotaped. Several of them were so touched and surprised by their teachers’ kind words that they broke down in tears. Some of the teachers grew emotional as well. There also were smiles and hugs.
“We have over 88 minutes of video coverage,” Earl said. “I wanted their true expressions from there. (The students) need to know that we care about them, we love them and we’re here every day for them.”
Earl added that, for some staff members, it was hard to choose just one student, so they honored up to four. The project has uplifted the spirits of the staff and students.
“It was a great activity for them,” district Superintendent Mark Blaszkowski said. “It’s made a difference. It’s had a huge impact on both the kids and their teachers.”
“It’s been quite the experience. It’s been exciting and good to see,” Earl said. “I truly believe it has made an impact with our students and teachers. We’re going to continue to do this every year.
“I think it’s so important for people to understand the impact of your words and of talking to people, especially when people can listen and remember,” Earl said. “You’ve got to remember these moments.”
District Communications/Marketing Facilitator Joe Genest was able to piece together four minutes of video for “NBC Nightly News.”
“He captured just the right moments,” Earl said.
The “NBC Nightly News” report is available on YouTube.
