MANHATTAN — On Thursday afternoon, teachers from Amsterdam Elementary School drove with balloons and other decorations on their cars showing support for their students.
“All the Amsterdam teachers and staff are just going to do a parade and say hello to there kids, hopefully spread some cheer today and get to see them,” said Tealla Martin a fifth-grade teacher at the elementary.
First-grade teacher Martha Schneider was inspired by the staff at Belgrade to start a car parade. A trend that is growing in a few places around Montana and the country.
“I live in Belgrade, so I saw the Belgrade teachers come through our neighborhood and it was just so amazing,” Schneider said.
It’s been over 30 days since teachers were last able to see their students in person. Being able to get out and see the kids they teach was special.
“It means a lot," said Schneider. "Our job is just so much emotion and appreciation for what they’re learning and what we’re teaching. Just being able to see them, smile and say hi will mean the world.”
With a new online setting for teaching their students, the toughest part for the teachers is getting familiar with new the technology. Something our youth today has no problem with.
“Im a little technologically challenged," said Sixth-grade teacher Jamie Wubben. "This has been a new learning experience for me, so its probably a little more painful for me than kids, but we’re getting through it.”
At the end of day, it was nice to get out of the house and see some familiar smiles.
“It is fantastic just to get out and see everybody,” said Martin.
