Watertown Schools Honor Educators and Staff Ahead of American Education Week
Northeast Radio SD News – Watertown, SD - Ahead of the Watertown School District’s observance of American Education Week from Nov. 16–20, Watertown Education Association President Susie Hooth addressed the School Board on Monday night, Nov. 9, to recognize the daily contributions of teachers, support staff, and administrators across the district.
Hooth reflected on the origins of American Education Week, which has been celebrated nationally since 1921 after beginning as a partnership between the National Education Association and the American Legion to build public support for public schools.
"I think that goal is just as important, if not more important today, as it was over 100 years ago," Hooth told the board. "Although education has changed a great deal since 1921, the heart of education really hasn't. It's still about helping children learn, grow, discover what they're capable of, and become the people they're meant to be. This isn't possible without the people."
Recognizing Every Role Across Watertown Schools
Hooth extended gratitude across every department in the Watertown School District, thanking teachers, paraprofessionals, counselors, administrators, special services personnel, custodians, food service staff, and bus drivers.
"Thank you for the lessons you teach, the patience you show, the encouragement you give, and the countless little things you do that may never show up in a test score," Hooth said. "Thank you for answering the same question for the 10th time, finding a missing water bottle, calming a worried student, fixing a technology problem, and somehow remembering that tomorrow is picture day. Thank you for continuing to show up even after your most difficult days. The work you do goes far beyond what people see. You're helping young people build confidence. You're helping them find their strengths. You are giving them opportunities they may not have even known existed."
Commitment to Every Student in Public Education
Emphasizing the foundational role of public education in the Watertown community, Hooth noted that public schools serve every student who walks through the doors.
"Every child deserves the opportunity to learn," Hooth said. "Every child deserves a safe place to come to school, an adult who believes in them, and the support they need to succeed. Not just the children who come to school ready to learn, not just the children who have everything figured out already, and not just the children who make our jobs easy, but every child. Where would these children be without our public education system? We never know which lesson, which conversation, or which educator will make a difference in a child's life. We may not always see the impact right away. Sometimes it takes years before a student realizes how much a staff member helped them. But those moments happen and they matter."
Hooth also thanked the members of the Watertown School Board for their time, commitment, and governance decisions on behalf of students and staff, encouraging community members to thank an educator during the upcoming week.
"So as we celebrate American Education Week, I hope we remember that supporting education is more than sending kids to school—it's about investing in children and in our future community," Hooth said. "Because every child deserves a great education, and every educator deserves to know that their work matters."
In his November Grapevine newsletter included in the board packet, Superintendent Dr. Jeff Danielsen also thanked district faculty and staff ahead of the Nov. 16–20 celebration, noting that the district will be providing treats for staff in recognition of American Education Week.
