Diane Smuda voted local teacher of the year 2004/2005
Diane Smuda, Rogers City Elementary School art teacher, was voted 2004/2005 local teacher of the year. Smuda was nominated by Beth Getzinger, Suzie Mertz, and Brenda Lamp, all co-teachers within the Rogers City school system.
Judging takes place within a committee of administrators and previous teachers of the year. Diane is an experienced teacher who attended Concordia Lutheran College in Ann Arbor and finished her education at Concordia in Seward, Nebraska. ?I began teaching in California at two different schools in the Bay area for eight years, before I returned to Michigan and met my husband, the Rev. Thomas Smuda, in Rogers City,? Diane said. They were married one year later and Diane became a homemaker and stay-at-home mom for the next few years.
The Smudas have a daughter Sarah, attending Bethany Lutheran College in Minnesota; son Aaron, is a senior at Rogers City High School; son Jesse, a freshman in Ohio living where his father is now a pastor, and daughter Mary, who is in eighth grade at RCHS.
?WE DECIDED I would stay here one more year while Aaron finishes up high school,? Diane said with a smile. The Smudas get together whenever time permits, but the drive is long, and both parents do the best they can through the times of separation. As art teacher, Diane is responsible for decorating the showcases, the hallways, special dinners and events at school as well as Christmas projects and other holidays. ?Once Mary entered kindergarten, I substitute taught,? Diane said. ?Because of Thomas? position in the church, he traveled and lived in many different areas such as Wyoming, Wisconsin, and Michigan.? Diane,
Some of the classes prepared congratulation cards for Diane with sayings such as ?Art is fun!? ?All the kids are trying to be artists,? and ?I love art,? which brought nothing but smiles and wistful damp eyes to Diane?s face as she displayed them. After only one week of being announced as the teacher of the year selection, Diane has received a banner, flowers, cards, and personal greetings as well as a potted plant from well-wishers.
?BEING AN art teacher fits my philosophy of students being active participants and hands-on learning,? Diane said. Diane said she was grateful to her parents for the opportunity to attend college — something they could never do, and her husband?s support for her continuing education. ?I?d especially like to thank my children for all the times I?ve had to be at appointments and places; and the public and our staff for the great cooperation I receive. ?I?d like to think we all work for the common goal of educating our students,? Diane added.