2010 : The Year of the Teacher

AMENIA — Indian Rock Schoolhouse Association this year plans to honor the teachers who have educated the community over many generations.  Plans call for recognizing the legendary teachers of the past, the energetic teachers of the present and all the folks who have passed on their skills and experiences to the residents of Amenia and Millerton today.

Association members will join the Amenia Historical Society, the North East Community Center, the Vi Simmons group, The Kay Kane Memorial Trunk Show Committee from Indian Rock and the Webutuck PTA and others in the tribute to teachers and administrators.

Maplebrook’s  long-time administrator, Roger Fazzone, will be recognized as one of the founders of the Indian Rock Schoolhouse Association, for example. Also remembered from the private school community, the late Marge Finger, founder of Maplebrook, has been an example to many, and Diana King, current member of Indian Rock Schoolhouse Association and founder of Kildonan, will be recognized.

Picnic on Sept. 25

 The theme of Indian Rock Schoolhouse’s picnic and community day this year is “thanks to teachers.†Guests of honor include some of the most admired teachers and administrators of our schools over the years. Exhibits about the teachers and classes of the past, including the Webutuck  50th reunion class of 1960 will be included.  A bench for Indian Rock visitors will be dedicated to Justine Winters — a combined effort of the Amenia Lions Club and the Schoolhouse Association. Plantings near the bench will be organized by “Aunt Barbara†Wrobel, our friend from Arbor Day.

The giant cake from Freshtown will be dedicated to teachers.

What else is planned for the Year of the Teacher?

Student tributes

to their teachers

A series of in-school or classroom displays about the importance of teachers or favorite teachers are being planned. â€œPlaying school†with discussions about the best lessons and how they are presented might be an appropriate activity.

Indian Rock is seeking reminiscences to publish in The Millerton News and on indianrockschool.blogspot.com blog around the theme “my favorite teacher†accompanied by a photo of that teacher. Letters to former teachers (living or not) remembering a particular experience or an outstanding lesson are being sought.

Future teachers

Currently, Webutuck High School does not have a future teachers’ club.  This might be the time to start one.  Many who teach today or who have taught in recent past had the opportunity to learn about what it means to be a teacher by being involved with a club whose members learned teaching by community service tutoring, discussions with teachers and demonstration lessons.

Launching the Indian Rock Endowment Fund

Due to a grant Indian Rock received in 2009, the association has almost enough funds to establish an endowment.  The endowment would remain as a permanent savings account, but the interest on the account may be used by Indian Rock. The Board of Trustees of Indian Rock has voted to take those future interest  payments  to provide scholarships or grants  for local students who wish to train to become teachers with emphasis on those wanting to teach at the early childhood level. 

The fundraising drive will begin in 2010, and since Indian Rock is a 501-C3, donations to that effort are tax-deductible. In addition several fundraisers are planned targeting the endowment fund.

To submit a reminiscence,  a letter to a teacher,  photos of old time teachers or classes, suggest an activity,  or to volunteer to help with activities during this Year of the Teacher, contact Indian Rock Schoolhouse Association at IndianRockschool@aol.com  or mail to Indian Rock, P.O. Box 22, Amenia, NY 12501. Talk to Beth Murphy if you wish to help with a teacher project or call Ann Linden at 845-373-8338.

Ann Linden is head of the Indian Rock Schoolhouse Association.

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