Those who can't do, teach. Every teacher who has ever stepped foot into a classroom despises this old adage. They know the truth, but are too humble to shout it from the rooftops. The truth is the adage should read more like Those who can do everything, teach.

This week we celebrated our teachers with Teacher Appreciation Week with many expressions of gratitude and cards saying, "Thanks for all you do." The reality is, too few people really know all that teachers do. Most won't admit this truth, believing that since they went to school they have a good idea of what a teacher does. It is a peculiar position in that regard, strangely unique in this expansive world of ours. What follows is a short, non-exclusive list of what a teacher does.

Sure, a teacher teaches, but what does that mean? It means...

• building a relationship with and knowing each individual learner
• being a content master, knowing subject material inside and out
• developing plans to deliver the content, with activities to engage the learner
• creating scaffolded learning steps and different approaches to the same content that allows learners at different places to pick it up
• crafting assignments that provide student opportunities to demonstrate their learning
• using those assignments to determine what supports a student needs to cement their learning
• standing up in front of a room of a wide range of abilities, motivation levels, and attention spans and delivering content in an engaging fashion
• questioning students to develop their own thinking
• holding back and not giving the answer at times, encouraging knowledge discovery

Teaching is also about human management...

• keeping students safe
• working with peers to develop contingency plans and safety protocols, and practicing them with and without kids
• creating order from the chaos of a room filled with energetic bodies
• developing a schedule and installing the value of that to others
• redirecting off-task behavior
• motivating students who come to school with emotional baggage
• teaching conflict resolution, how to work with others, even when they don't like each other

Teaching includes wearing many hats...

• teacher
• parent
• counselor
• confidant
• disciplinarian
• future planner

Being a teacher means doing what it takes to create a better human. Too often we forget that the work that a teacher does each day cannot be solely measured with test results on the arbitrary scale of the 180 day school year. The work a teacher does isn't just about reading and math, or science and social studies. It is about being what a student needs, providing the platform for success, removing the obstacles, and then delivering the content. The product of a teacher is a better version of the human (student) who started in that class.

There is so much more to being a teacher than standing in front of kids and telling them about subject matter. The lessons teachers teach include all of what I've mentioned above as well as the content and only those who truly can do everything are deserving of the title of TEACHER.

Please join in me in congratulating and recognizing all teachers and especially the outstanding teachers of Au Gres-Sims during this, Teacher Appreciation Week.

-Mr. Ming

This week is Teacher Appreciation Week and although the week is coming to a close, it’s never too late to express your appreciation. A simple communication of any appreciation is greatly appreciated. And another special thank you to Mr. Ken Adrian and the multitude of other veterans who came to campus this past Thursday and shared their first hand experiences from the Vietnam War. Thank you gentlemen for your education and service!

Also this past week, the Bay-Arenac Career Center celebrated the accomplishments of their students with a special awards ceremony. We had two AGS students who were honored. The first was Dakota Nelson. Dakota was recognized as “Outstanding Student” in the Auto Mechanics class. The second was Gabe Pendred. Gabe was also recognized as “Outstanding Student” in the Welding class. Congratulations gentlemen on the well deserved accolades!

Mark your calendars for next Wednesday, May 17, as we have a 1:00 early release PLC for our teaching staff. The evening will conclude with our annual Spring Band Concert at 7:00. I’m sure you will enjoy our award winning bands (Junior and Senior), who recently received straight 1’s at the district festival in Gaylord.

Another special date to mark your calendars for is Friday, May 26. The Knights of Columbus are hosting a spaghetti dinner from 4:30-7:30. This will take place at St. Mark’s social hall across from the elementary school. Proceeds from this event go to fund a scholarship for AGS students. Thank you for your support! Because of the great success of our first AGS Chess tournament, the next tourney is slated for the 26th. Pizza is available for $5 and snacks will be provided. Register with Mr. Beardsley ASAP so we can have the bracket ready for competition. Lots of food, prizes and fun! Come be a part of the ultimate test of cerebral fitness and register today!

The 6th Annual Arenac County Community Garage Sale will take place June 2nd and 3rd from 9-4 pm. You can sell from your home or buy a spot to sell your stuff at The Depot. For more details call 989-941-6637.

As I mentioned last week, we are looking ahead to summer break which is just around the corner. We will have several different summer options to extend learning this year. First, we will have a Summer Enrichment Program for grades K-5 and 6-8, which is similar to what we did the last couple of years. This 6-week long virtual program will focus on reading and math skills that have been identified as areas of focus based on our Spring NWEA results. There is an online platform that the students will be working in, as well as weekly sessions with a staff member for small group or individual help. The program will run from June 26-August 4. (Note: This program is open to all students who are not already part of the Title I Summer Program with Mrs. Gordon. Information about the Title I program will go home to identified students next week.) A flyer with sign-up information will be released next week for the K-5 and 6-8 options. The High School Credit Recovery Program will also be available to high school students who need to make up credit. As we wrap up the semester, we will be able to finalize the high school list of students for Credit Recovery. Letters will then be sent out to invite students to take part in this important program. This will allow students who have failed a semester in a class to get back on track. Like last summer, we will refund the $50 course fee if your student successfully passes the course and earns back their credit. The program also runs for 6 weeks - June 26-August 4, and now that we are using Edmentum teachers for all courses, there is no in-person attendance requirement.

Finally, shifting gears to our current day-to-day focus - NWEA testing is wrapping up at the start of next week in the Middle and High Schools, and then I will begin focusing on make-up testing. Lower Elementary has pretty much wrapped up completely, and due to scheduling shifts in M-STEP, 3rd-5th grade will be working on completing their NWEA testing next week and fully wrapping up the following week. It is a tight schedule, but we are right on track to wrap up the end of this school year!

Dare I say it? Spring weather has finally arrived, and hopefully for good. And just in time too, as the spring sports season heads into the home stretch before the MHSAA Playoffs!

Next Week's Schedule of Events:

Mon. 5/15:

• 4p V Baseball HOME vs. Atlanta
• 4p V Softball HOME vs. Atlanta
• 530p V Soccer AWAY @ Ithaca

Tue. 5/16:

• 4p MS Track NSL Championship @ Fairview

Wed. 5/17:

• 4p MS Track Invite @ Tawas (rescheduled event from April)
• 430p V Soccer AWAY @ Bullock Creek

Fri. 5/19:

• 6p V Baseball HOME vs. Charlton Heston

Sat. 5/20:

• 10a V Track @ Marion MHSAA Regionals (field events at 10a, running at 11a)

AGS will be hosting the Huffman Basketball Camp in our main gym on Wednesday, June 28th. The cost of the camp is $35 and is open to students in grades 2-12 (different times). Don't wait to sign up as space is limited. See the flier below for more details and click the link to register.

EVENT SIGN-UP LINK

Last Friday night the Junior and Senior Bands, under the direction of Mrs. Kim Gordon, performed at the State Band Festival at Gaylord High School. The performances they put in were absolutely amazing, and the judges were left with nothing but words of praise. One such expression that gave me chills to hear was, "Every band should have the opportunity to hear you play."

We are incredibly proud of our young musicians and the outstanding work that they have put in. That time and effort paid off with straight 1's for the both bands, the highest accolade achievable! Please join me in congratulating the bands and Mrs. Gordon on this phenomenal achievement.

Important dates for May and June for the Au Gres-Sims School District.

MAY

• 15: Board of Education Regular Meeting - 5:45p in Elementary Library (BAISD Budget Presentation)
• 17: Early Release for all students @ 1p
• 17: Spring Band Concert @ 7p
• 29: Memorial Day Holiday - no school staff and students
• 31: Senior Class Night (High School Gym)

JUNE

• 1: Middle/High School Academic Awards @ 7p
• 2: Graduation @ 7:30
• 5: Elementary Fun Day
• 7: Early Release for all students @ 1p...Secondary Final Exams hours 1-3
• 8: Early Release for all students @ 1p...Secondary Final Exams hours 4-6

Important and note-worthy events taking place in Au Gres and Arenac County

• May 19: Arenac Community Funds' 21st Annual Golf Outing, Huron Breeze Golf Course (see attached)
• May 28: Au Gres Memorial Day Parade (see attached)
• June 24: Arenac Fireworks Golf Outing (see picture below)

Greetings Wolverines,

This week's issue of The Wolverine Wake-Up highlights another installment of "Emily Tries", as she tries to teach Charlie how to hit a pitch. We also cruised the hallways to hear students and staff share their fondest memories of teachers who impacted their lives in a positive way. Happy Teacher Appreciation Week!

Click Here to Watch The Wolverine Wake-Up Issue 86

This week we have a Double Senior Scoop for your listening delight. Our guests this week were Allyson Stange and Emily Freehling.

"Never compare yourself to others, academically or sport-wise. Just focus on what you can do, what you want to do, and focus on making yourself better and disregarding everyone else's goals and achievements." - Allyson Stange

"Always put in the extra work, even if you think you're really good at it. Never stop doing the most that you can. Once you think you have it down go and some some more and you'll really see the results." - Emily Freehling

Job Opportunities at AGS

We are also always on the lookout for substitute teachers. If interested, please inquire with Mrs. Miller in the district administration office, (989) 876-7157 and she will put you into direct contact with Laurie Crane at ESS-WillSub

Email: web@ags-schools.org
Website: www.ags-schools.org
Location: 310 South Court Street, Au Gres, MI, USA
Phone: (989) 876-7150
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/AuGresSims/?ref=br_rs
Twitter: @agsschools