Parent visits VES classroom to honor her daughter’s teacher

By Editor | April 25, 2018 |

Knowing that her daughter has special needs, Deanna Clark recognizes when someone goes the extra mile to give her daughter special treatment.

On Monday, Clark made a surprise visit to Megan Clark’s classroom to let her Keri Buscher know that she appreciates everything that Buscher does for Megan and other students in that special education class at Vandalia Elementary School.
The surprise presentation included flowers, a special sash, a cake and a display board using different types of candy to help express Clark’s feelings about Buscher as a teacher.
“Megan has been going to school for 10 years, and she has a lot of disabilities,” Deanna Clark said, “and it seems like Keri has really reached her this year.
“She’s got Megan writing in a journal, and she teaches her about different careers using a coloring page and by talking to her about them,” she said.
“Keri is a very think-outside-the-box person,” Clark said.
One time, Clark said, Buscher was asking for a bunch of eyeglass frames. Clark learned that she wanted frames for glasses without lenses, for those who don’t wear glasses, so those who do didn’t feel uncomfortable.
When Clark asked why she wanted them, Buscher told her, “So everybody can have their glasses on when we read.”
“Teachers always get negative stuff from parents, so I want her to know I really appreciate her and that she’s doing an outstanding job,” Clark said.
Clark approached Dr. Jennifer Garrison, the Vandalia School District superintendent, about her desire to honor Buscher, and Garrison relayed the request to VES Principal Stacy Mesnard.
“I was very excited about getting the email about a parent wanting to honor a teacher,” Garrison said.
“It’s nice to put the positives out there about what’s going on in our schools, and we want to continue to celebrate our staff and the amazing things that are being done in our school district,” Garrison said.
Mesnard, too, was excited about Clark’s plan, and supports Clark’s claims about Buscher.
“She’s very good at what she does,” Mesnard said. “She always goes above and beyond.”
Clark’s visit, Buscher said, “was quite a surprise, a very good surprise.
Talking about her success in the classroom, “It’s because of the kids – they’re the most fun thing about this job.
“They are what makes me do what I do with my job,” she said. “It’s all about the kids.
“Credit also needs to be given to our school administration and supportive parents I have, who allow me to be creative in the ways that I teach,” Buscher said.
“Without them, I wouldn’t have this great opportunity to have fun and keep the keeps interest while all learn,” she said.
Buscher joined the VES and VJHS staffs last year after teaching in the Brownstown School District.
She initially earned a degree in elementary education, then received her special education certification three years ago.
“I felt like I needed a change in my career and this job came open … and I’ve had a blast with it,” Buscher said.
“I just thought it was a good opportunity to teach in a style different than the normal day to day, books and papers, books and papers.
“We get to teach these kids life skills, how to be a productive member of society,” Buscher said.
“We have a lot of fun in the classroom. We still get the academics in, but we can present it in a fun and different way that’s more relatable to life with these kids.
“I think this was my calling, I really do,” Buscher said.

Keri Buscher, a special education teacher at Vandalia Elementary School and Vandalia Junior High School, talks to Megan Clark about the surprise that Megan’s mother gave her on Monday.