Teachers appreciated with survival wheel

The Survival Wheel was the school’s version of the game show “Survivor,” where points were earned as the teachers completed the challenges each day. 

Principal Blaine Spires said it was a fun way to get everyone involved and show appreciation for not only the teachers but the staff at the school, too. 

“We just wanted to do something fun and different for our staff and the feedback from it was that it was the best appreciation week, they’d ever had,” said Spires.

During the week of May 2-6, educators and staff across the country are typically given gifts, cards and more in appreciation of their hard work, support and dedication to students.

At Meneley, teachers and staff spun a wheel set up in the office to receive their appreciation gift. Whatever the spinner landed on, that was the teacher’s challenge or gift for the day. Gifts ranged from puzzles, treats and more in a grab back and each challenge completed earned the teachers points they would be able to use later for bigger prizes. 

Educational Interpreter Marilyn Weese’s spin Thursday left her with the challenge of contacting The Record-Courier to come to the school, take pictures and write a story about the school’s Teacher Appreciation Week.  

The school and PTA had gone all out for their teachers complete with “star and red carpet” treatment with the theme “Lights, Camera, Appreciation.” 

The teacher’s lounge had a chocolate fondu fountain, treats and more for the staff to enjoy and throughout the rest of the week, a room service cart would bring teachers treats and beverages, they received shoulder and foot massages, a VIP breakfast and a cast party taco bar. 

“It’s not often that we get to have fun together that isn’t professional and this helped make that happen,” said Meneley fifth-grade teacher Danielle Bickmore. 

One of Bickmore’s challenges was to create a dance to Miley Cyrus’ “The Climb,” which she said she recruited students from her class to help her. 

Weese said it was a fun excuse to spoil teachers and give them presents.

“Not only that, but it was a fun way to get to know each other outside of the classroom and since this is my first year at the school it was a great opportunity to get to know the other teachers and staff,” she said.