Printable Version

Story originally printed in the Winona Daily News or online at www.winonadailynews.com

Published - Friday, May 09, 2008

To a great teacher

By Wendy and John Killen | Winona

Thank you, thank you to a most tremendous person, Tory-Kale Schulz, a fifth-grade teacher at St. Stan’s Middle School.

What an incredible school year this has been!

You have an extraordinary approach to teaching that makes your classroom exciting, engaging and challenging, and it creates an environment where there is an eagerness in the kids to want to learn and succeed.

You challenged our son, Henry, to excel both academically and with personal growth, and he took your challenges and expectations to heart. Henry thrived, grew and excelled this year.

Whenever we are with Henry and his classmates, the kids are always excited to talk about something that is happening in your classroom, whether it is academic related, or something with technology and the SMARTBoard, or about the lively discussions or debates that take place, or the importance of working together to give to others or with some other fun classroom activity.

It is wonderful to hear the enthusiasm in young children’s voices as they want to discuss what they are learning. These unprompted conversations are truly meaningful and magical.

As parents, you have made us feel very connected to the academic happenings in your classroom with your daily updated Web site and your weekly

e-progress reports. We appreciate the efforts that you make in communicating effectively with parents on how each of our respective kids are doing in your class.

Mr. Schulz, the enthusiasm and passion you have for teaching is both contagious and it motivates the kids in your class to set the bar higher and try to achieve more than they ever have before.

Thank you for all that you have done for Henry and his classmates and for the phenomenal fifth-grade experience that they have had with you. Being a 115er was one of the best things that ever could have happened to our son. Thank you.