HOLLAND (WHTC-AM/FM) — The Rotary Club of South Haven has given Lincoln Elementary third-grade teacher Anna DeVries the club’s 2020 Education and Service Award.
The honors go to an educator who exemplifies attributes that go beyond teaching, according to club officials.
DeVries taught in Covert and Benton Harbor before joining the South Haven Public Schools in 2014. Her grandparents, Don and Dorothy Jackson, were both teachers. DeVries’ classroom at Lincoln Elementary is the same room where her grandfather taught.
“If you knew me when I was younger, you would have never guessed I would have followed in my grandparents’ footsteps,” she said. “I once dropped out of high school. I was disconnected and lost in the school system. After I had my daughter, I returned to school and found myself at home in a classroom because I truly enjoy learning.
DeVries graduated from Eastern Michigan University and became a reading specialist after getting a master’s degree from Western Michigan University.
“It is from these personal experiences that I grew a passion for helping every student succeed. Connecting those students who struggle academically and emotionally is important to me,” she said.
Lincoln Elementary principal Katie Jobson, in nominating DeVries, wrote she “not only does the ongoing development of her craft lead Anna to be a strong presence in the classroom, but the way she develops positive relationships with her students is noteworthy. Anna is our go-to person for science instruction, providing leadership and new learning to her-colleagues.”
In this unique time of a prolonged school closure due to the COVID pandemic, DeVries is credited with establishing ways to connect with her students online and for being quick to respond to their needs.
“As someone who once hated Facetiming, I have quickly learned to love it when I see the joy on the faces of the kids seeing their friends,” DeVries said. “Equality is an issue that definitely sparks my passion,” said DeVries. “Creating equal opportunities for all of our students to succeed, regardless of wealth, race, culture, or beliefs, is something I strive for every day. Unfair opportunities that lead to a gap in achievement is something that disturbs me, something that may likely be getting worse with distance learning, and something I work to fight against as much as I can.”
“Anna’s generosity with her time is a benefit for her students, her colleagues, and the greater South Haven community,” said Jobson.
DeVries also serves on the Board of Foundry Hall and is treasurer for the South Haven Education Association. She’s been involved with Girls on the Run, encouraging young girls to have positive self images of themselves. She has partnered with the garden club on projects that have beautified South Haven schools, including an outdoor learning area at Lincoln.
The Rotarians, in collaboration with the South Haven Public Schools Educational Foundation and the South Haven campus of Lake Michigan College, annually recognize an educator who exemplifies the attributes of quality teaching and is an active volunteer in the South Haven community. Nominations for this honor are received from the education community. A $250 contribution will be presented to the Educational Foundation in DeVries’ name by Rotary.
Over the past 15 years the Rotarians have donated more than $200,000 for financial aid for South Haven students, as well as to benefit public-school program initiatives.
