Telegram - Serving Metropolitan Detroit Since 1944

On Friday, May 6, the Ecorse School District took time out to show appreciation to its hard-working staff of educators. The theme for the afternoon of activities was The Ecorse Arcade and featured favorite arcade games, foosball, air hockey, pool tables, and table games including card games and dominoes. The event was organized by Superintendent Dr. Josha Talison, members of the Ecorse School Board, and staff members from the districts' administration department. "Just a small token from the board of education and myself for all the hard work our teachers do regularly, they don't get celebrated enough for all the hard work they do," Talison said.

Teachers were treated to a free Mexican-style lunch via a food truck while a deejay provided music for listening and dancing. A shoe shine station was also available, along with massages, facials, and manicures. Ecorse Cosmetology Program students provided the personal pampering for the teachers. "The school board and the superintendent, they definitely go beyond their daily activities and jobs to make sure that the teachers feel appreciated and not just the teachers but the rest of the staff, from administrators to support staff, they definitely show us that they appreciate all of our hard work," said Ecorse teacher Theresa Harris.

Ecorse High Senior and Cosmetology student Keayla Pryor gives a pampering manicure to one of the many Ecorse teachers celebrated on May 6.

Ecorse High Principal Dr. Michael Barclay says high-quality teachers in every classroom enhance the educational experience of the students. "We have an excellent group of teachers from K through 12th grade and this is just showing our appreciation for what they

do," he said.

Before leaving for the day, each teacher was given a gift bag which included an Amazon gift card. A raffle was also held to award gift baskets to three lucky winners. In all, it was an afternoon of relaxing and partaking in pleasant amusements, a respite from a rigorous educational routine brought on by the pandemic. "This is like the third year of the pandemic, theoretically, and we're trying to get back to some level of normal, and they've worked very hard," Talison added. "As long as I'm here, there will be continuation of this every year just as a little token of our esteem, it doesn't take a lot to show people how much you care."