Colorado Community Media logo

Teachers stay for connections, community

Elizabeth district keeps some dedicated educators despite challenges posed by pay

Posted
It’s no secret that the Elizabeth School District has struggled to keep teachers. In an article published in the Elbert County News on June 29 of this year, the Elizabeth School District needed to replace 30% of its teaching staff for the upcoming school year.
 
Teacher pay consistently tops the list of reasons it is difficult to keep staff within the district. Teachers in neighboring districts make significantly more income than those in the Elizabeth School District. While this dramatic pay gap continues to be a challenge, there are a number of educators who have remained in the Elizabeth School District year after year.
 
We know some of the factors that are causing teachers to leave the district, but what is making some stay?
 
Lisa Mullins, who began her career with the district in 1998 and currently teaches computer classes and yearbook at Elizabeth Middle School says, “I have spent my career in the Elizabeth School District because of the people. From the students and parents, to my colleagues and administrators, it always feels like 'home’ and that I am part of a supportive, extended family.”
 
Kerry Jiblits, who retired from Running Creek Elementary School in May 2022 after 28 years of teaching, was contacted by the principal earlier this summer and asked to come back on a part-time basis. She is now working as an instructional coach at Running Creek, assisting teachers who are new this year.
 
Jiblits says, “I have been so privileged to work with so many wonderful students, colleagues, and families. Living in the same community in which I teach has really given me a strong connection to the school and its families. I love seeing my students and their families at the store, or the park, or while eating out, and it has been so fun to see them over the years! And now, I am working with the kids of my former students. I LOVE that!”
 
She also added “I have had many opportunities to work elsewhere and make more money, but my heart is in Running Creek, and I just couldn’t leave. In fact, that is why I was so willing to come out of retirement — my heart is there, and I want to be a part of helping Running Creek be the best school it can be.”
 
This strong sense of community seems to be an important part of the longevity of some of the district’s teachers — and there are other reasons. “I think Elizabeth School District works really hard to keep class sizes relatively small,” said Jiblits. This allows teachers to develop deeper connections with their students and, in turn, for students to develop stronger bonds and trust with their teachers.
 
This opportunity for connection, Jiblits feels, is essential in finding success as an educator. “I don’t think that anyone can be successful as an educator without making strong connections with your students. They need to know that you care for them as individuals and also as a team or community. For me personally, I measured my success by the connections I made with my kids, by their love/enjoyment of reading, and by their ability to problem solve independently.”
 
Mullins echoes the importance of connection by saying, “My best classes are ones where we laugh and have fun but still get things accomplished. I have been blessed to make connections with students and parents that I still keep in touch with long after graduation. I have been around long enough now to have students that are children of past students.”
 
Recently the Elizabeth School District held a celebration to honor some of the longstanding educators and employees within the district. Those honored include Joann O’Malley and Tina Waymire, both for 30 years of service, Mary Peavler and Jim Wilson for 25 years and Teri Maher and Shauna Agee for 20 years with the district, all dedicated educators devoted to Elizabeth School District kids.
 
Elizabeth School District, Elizabeth High School, Running Creek Elementary School, Elbert County, Colorado

Comments

Other items that may interest you

Chili and chiles bring out crowd at Elizabeth’s Running Creek Park

Kick up your heels at 5K in Elbert County

Small-town football gets big-deal exposure

Autumn tradition returns in Elbert County

Our Papers
Arvada Press
Brighton Standard Blade
Canyon Courier
Castle Pines News Press
Castle Rock News Press
Centennial Citizen
Clear Creek Courant
Commerce City Sentinel Express
Denver Herald Dispatch
Douglas County News Press
Elbert County News
Englewood Herald
Fort Lupton Press
Golden Transcript
Highlands Ranch Herald
Jeffco Transcript
Life on Capitol Hill
Littleton Independent
Lone Tree Voice
Northglenn/Thornton Sentinel
Parker Chronicle
Washington Park Profile
Westminster Window
© Copyright 2024 Colorado Community Media
Powered by Creative Circle Media Solutions

Ad blocker detected

We have noticed you are using an ad blocking plugin in your browser.

The revenue we receive from our advertisers helps make this site possible. We request you whitelist our site.