Teacher Elf Junior Kendall Cooper displays the gifts for her teacher.
Elves are usually found building toys in Santa’s workshop or baking cookies in trees, but they can also be found at our school. These elves are the Future Teachers of America.
There are many students that are planning to be teachers in their future. Junior Lindsey Holloway says “I really like kids. I think I would really enjoy spending my whole day with them.” FTA is a club that does many things. FTA helps students obtain a grasp on how a teaching career can work. FTA members go to different schools within the cooperation and observe and work with a teacher. Talking about the job shadowing a teacher, Junior Kendall Cooper says “I love the field trip at the end of the year’.” The elf program is something that the students of FTA do annually.
Senior Mindy Tredway explains “An elf is a secret student that has a teacher that they make cards and get things for.” Cooper also explains “We are called elves because it’s like a secret Santa and so I guess elves seemed like the best thing.” One of the best parts of the elf program, is that it is the teachers don’t know who their elf is. Mrs. Downs says that one of the things that she enjoys about the elf program is “meeting them and the surprise.” Mrs. Plothow says “I purposely don’t look at the FTA roster, so that I won’t try to cheat and figure it out early.”
The FTA elves do many sweet little deeds for their teachers all year long. Holloway said “Last year, I was Mr. Ames’ elf. On his birthday, I decorated his office.” Tredway continues by saying “We make a card for our teacher for every holiday, and we get them things and they can get stuff for us too.” Teachers enjoy the little gifts that their elves leave them. Mrs. McCollough says “It is fun to share special treat with an unknown person that shares the same interests as me.” Plothow thinks that the “homemade” cards are special. She says “The time and thought behind homemade cards is the best.” Mr. Masson says “It just helps your day knowing that you are appreciated, and I am very appreciative of all my students! They are are all super caring young adults.”
At the end of the year, FTA hosts a pizza luncheon. Mrs. Richter says “The pizza at the end of the year is wonderful.” She continues by explaining that “At the end of the year luncheon, all of us get our elves a ‘little something.’” During this luncheon, the elves finally reveal themselves to their teachers. At the pizza luncheon, the students and teachers connect even more. Mr. Condon says “One of the neat things about working in a school setting is the opportunities to form relationships. The elf program enhances my ability to get to know the students.”
This time of year is very special for the elves as well. The students are starting to get their teachers a little something special for the holiday season, and Mrs. Holloway has been spotted delivering presents to some of the teachers. So watch out teachers and pay attention to your classes because you may be teaching your elf right now.