Cherry Creek Schools issued the following announcement on Dec. 4.
Natalie Salario wasn’t alone when she accepted the Colorado Avalanche’s Most Valuable Teacher Award on December 3.
Salario, a third-grade teacher with Elevation’s K-5 Online Program, received the recognition from the hockey team at her home in Wheat Ridge; Bernie, the team’s furry Saint Bernard mascot, joined officials from Kroenke Sports and Entertainment to offer the official award, which recognizes educators who go above and beyond for their students.
The ceremony was designed to meet all the safety requirements of the current moment. Salario and the Avalanche personnel were all physically distanced, and everyone wore a mask. It all took place in the open air, on Salario’s front lawn. Only those directly involved in the ceremony were physically present.
Nevertheless, Salario had the moral support of her third-grade students as she accepted the honor. Her entire class watched the proceedings from Salario’s laptop via an online session. They cheered as Bernie jumped up and down and threw snowballs; they oohed and aahed as their teacher received a bag full of goodies and got news that as part of the prize, the class would receive a $500 grant.
For Salario, it was only fitting that the kids were virtually present to be part of the ceremony. She received recognition for her hard work during a year unlike any other. Those who nominated Salario for the Most Valuable Teacher award specifically cited her commitment, flexibility and dedication during a stretch of months that have seen students, teachers and administrators alike shifting between In Person and Remote learning, and doing their best to meet the demands of the moment.
For Salario, who also serves as the third-grade coordinator for Elevation, the past months have been an “adventure.” She cited adaptability as a key in making sure her students remain engaged in learning.
“This is so exciting. I never thought this would happen, especially during such a crazy year but I have great students and an amazing team,” she said. “The kids teach me something new every day. We all roll with the punches when it comes to technology and learning in a new environment.”
This flexibility was one of the qualities that secured the award for Salario, according to Kroenke Sports and Entertainment Senior Coordinator of Community Relations Emily Jurenka.
“This program recognizes teachers who go above and beyond in the community to assist with their students’ education,” Jurenka said. “Natalie had a great nomination. She’s done a lot to make technology accessible to her students and to make sure that they have a successful remote learning experience. Obviously, this is new for everyone, but she’s really gone the extra mile and stepped up in her school.”
The award includes a grant for Salario to use as she wishes, and she said she’d like to use the money to deliver physical books to students. In a year where online learning has played such a large role, she noted, her students will value physical books even more.
“They miss actual books,” she said.
As the Avalanche crew packed up and Salario prepped to get back to her online classroom, she said that the award was a moving honor for work that carries plenty of daily rewards.
“I love my job. This has been a challenging year, but the three hours I get to spend with my students every day make it worth it. They make me laugh all the time; they make the crazy adventure worth it.”
Original source can be found here.
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