Marci O.

Ms. Olsen will clearly leave a legacy at DSMS. She is the teacher who coordinates a re-enactment of the Battle of Gettysburg, A field trip to Tombstone, AZ, An 8th Grade trip to Washington D.C., and a formal White House Dinner re-enactment for all her Seventh Graders. She is probably the most devoted teacher I have ever had. At this moment,we are studying WWI, she has set up a game where the class splits up into four "countries" and compete to win an ice cream party or social studies homework for a week. This is just one example of how she goes the extra mile, when teaching, in order to make it fun. She is very energetic, and although my class has 38 kids...38, she is able to take the time to help each one of us. When I first heard of what we did in this class, I was excited. I'm sure I wasn't the only one. However, when I experienced it...I felt I had under estimated it. With all this going on...the coordinating of over 100 volunteers, dealing with a class of 38...she has the time to listen to what our needs are. She is one of the facilitators for the Homework Club, an after school club to get homework done without distractions and with help. Her sense of humor comes out in class when students do something unruly, weird, or even lazy. She isn't afraid to go where students go with humor, sometimes laughing at inappropriate things she finds, does, or gets. These are a few of the many reasons that Ms. Olsen deserves the Excellence in Education award. If she does win, please mention the team Pie...just saying. GO MS. OLSEN!!!

Signed,
Jack Shaffstall