As we wind down another National Teacher Appreciation Week, we are reminded about those who make a difference in future generations in the classroom.

First-year administrator Maranda Van Cleave, principal at Greene County Intermediate and East Greene Elementary talks about how she appreciates having a strong working relationship with her staff.

“I try to give them feedback daily on things that they’re doing and acknowledging the hard work of the job.  And I think one thing about that is just walking along side them, helping them out or just having conversations and problem solving.  So that’s something that I love doing daily for my staff.”

Having been a teacher last year and now being an administrator, Van Cleave points out that the job responsibilities are more similar than they are different.

However, she does recognize that teachers work beyond their scheduled time commitments of the school day, much like administrators.

“One thing that teachers do is they put in so much more time than just come into school and then leaving when their done and that’s something that I did quite frequently and spent many hours beyond the paycheck if you will, doing things and improving my profession.”

All this week, Van Cleave comments that they’ve been different encouragement messages and snacks and gifts for teachers to recognize them during National Teacher Appreciation Week.