Hundreds Attend Event To Honor Berrien County Teachers, School Workers

heartwork
heartwork

Hundreds of teachers and other school staff from around Berrien County have been honored with a special celebration at the Mendel Center. Berrien RESA’s Heartwork 2022 took place Wednesday with a literal red carpet rolled out for teachers as they were thanked for their hard work over the past couple of years. Deanna Chorny, a second grade teacher at Lakeshore Public Schools, told us it has been hard during the pandemic.

“But it’s really awesome to be here today,” Chorny said. “I feel really honored and to have the red carpet was really quite fun. So, thank you to everybody who organized this.”

The event featured music, food trucks, games, giveaways, and an address by an educator and motivational speaker. Shelly Lietz, a speech pathologist at Buchanan Community Schools, was glad to be there.

“I will tell you that Berrien County, I feel like, has treated us teachers very nicely over COVID these last two years. So, to put on an event like this is very thoughtful and kind and I really appreciate it.”

RESA Superintendent Eric Hoppstock told us after two long, difficult years, RESA wanted to send a message to teachers.

“It got rough, you stuck with it,” Hoppstock said. “But this is really celebrating, saying ‘Thank you for staying with it. Thank you for putting in all that extra time.’ Our kids have really benefitted in Berrien County, even though I know there are days when it doesn’t feel like that.”

Hoppstock told us every teacher has that moment when they leave a permanent mark on a student, whether they know it or not. Heartwork was part of the Learn by Heart campaign, which seeks to highlight the good work of educators throughout Berrien County. More than 900 teachers and school employees signed up to attend Heartwork 2022.