Dena’ina Elementary staff get silly for Teacher Appreciation Week

WASILLA — Dena’ina Elementary staff were honored in a very special and silly way for Teacher Appreciation Week.

Dena’ina teachers played a variety of colorful and laugh-inducing games for prizes. Principal Andrea Everett said this is a playful way to recognize all their teachers’ hard work and celebrate the school’s successful adaption to the ever-changing pandemic conditions.

“It’s just a way of having an excuse to do a whole bunch silly things and kind of cap off a really serious year,” Everett said.

This new annual tradition is called the Game of Games Staff Appreciation Week. Teachers engaged in a number of jovial activities ranging from treasure hunts and humorous dares across campus, wearing outlandish costumes, and even going to “jail” as a result of wheel spin.

Each day, staff members made their way to the main office to spring a wheel containing the various challenges. Everett said they held it virtually last year with teachers submitting videos of their silly deeds. She said it was even better this year because they were able to celebrate in person.

Everett said this event reflects their school’s positive and vibrant culture.

I feel like I work with the most amazing people on the planet. This was a really tough year… They just pulled through and they did it,” Everette said. “We’ve got a lot of good stuff going on over here.”

Everett has been the principal since the school first opened. She said this is her last year as principal, and a teacher who’s also been there from the beginning, Benjamin Lavalier will take over. She said that she will look back fondly at the memories she made with students and staff.

“Probably one of the things I’m most proud of in my career is just that, watching the development of this place and being part of a team that worked so hard to create an amazing, safe environment where kids want to come every day.”

Contact Mat-Su Valley Frontiersman reporter Jacob Mann at jacob.mann@frontiersman.com