KIMBALL -- In honor of Staff Appreciation Week May 6-10, the staff of Kimball Public Schools are reminiscing about their years in education. 

Jeri Ferguson has been teaching Social Studies for 35 years – 25 of those years being at Kimball High School. 

“I like to tell stories and that's what history is to me – his story or her story – so I like to re-tell them,” Ferguson says. 

Her favorite part of the job is the long-lasting relationships she builds with her colleagues and students. 

Her fondest memories of teaching are when she takes her students to Lincoln to testify in front of the Senators for legislative bills. 

Tori Ingram has been a Pre-K teacher at Mary Lynch Elementary for 7 years. 

“Something I love about my job is getting to interact with the students and learn more about them,” she says. “We really do become a family throughout the year, and it’s fun to watch them grow and change.” 

Both Kimball principals express their gratitude for their teachers’ dedication, resilience and passion despite the lack of gratitude they may get. 

Jr./Sr. High School Principal Danielle Reader says people don’t realize the immense time and effort teachers put in outside of school time that includes preparing lesson plans and grading work. They don’t just forget about the job and the students when they’re “off-the-clock." 

Mary Lynch Elementary Principal Amanda Culek echos Reader saying: “We wouldn’t be able to do what we do without teachers. Regardless of the challenges we face, they are committed to loving these kids, providing quality education, adapting to new teaching methods, and supporting the kids academically and emotionally.” 

Reader says she loves watching students come in as wide-eyed seventh graders learning more about themselves and what they’re passionate about, then transforming into mature young adults. 

Culek says: “I’ve always enjoyed education because I get to be with kiddos and make those connections. What I like most in administration is getting to know more students and building those relationships in a wider range.” 

Reader taught math for seven years before becoming principal four years ago. Culek spent 15 years in different educational roles before becoming principal two years ago.