Congratulations go out to Big Otter Elementary again for securing the top student attendance in the district. Fourth grade teachers Grithel Burns and Dustin Vaughan share the honor for the third school month with a student attendance rate of 97.69%. Mrs. Burns provides instruction for all fourth grade students in the areas of math, science, and social studies, while Mr. Vaughan teaches English language arts, writing, spelling, and reading.
Mrs. Burns has devoted 30 years to the teaching profession, 15 of those being specifically at Big Otter Elementary. Mr. Vaughan has taught for 11 years, spending the last four years at Big Otter Elementary. When asked how they inspire such stellar attendance by their students, Mrs. Burns and Mr. Vaughan agree it is a team effort, maintaining consistent incentives. For perfect daily attendance, students add a link to a paper chain attached to the classroom wall. When the chain reaches the floor, the class receives an additional recess period. Every student who has perfect attendance for an entire month receives an ice cream sundae. Mrs. Burns notes that she always makes time to praise students for their accomplishments, making her classroom a place where students feel nurtured and want to be present every day. Additionally, Mr. Vaughan explains, parent support is vital for maintaining good student attendance.
Both Mrs. Burns and Mr. Vaughan received a certificate recognizing their achievement that they can proudly display in their classrooms. Congratulations to Mrs. Burns, Mr. Vaughan, and their fourth grade students!
