The key to a brighter future for Michigan’s children is a strong public education system. Every day, students count on public schools to help prepare them for a successful future. Whether they understand it or not, they count on adults across the state ensuring they have access to resources to help them learn, keep their buildings safe and have qualified teachers to guide them. It takes a pure, unwavering commitment to a community to make this all possible

Yet, at the end of the day, the true super heroes contributing to the success of our students are just ordinary citizens with extraordinary dedication to public schools: our school board members. These individuals approach their volunteer work like it is a full-time job and, for some, they value their work on the board as more important than their chosen profession.

January is School Board Recognition Month. This is a time to recognize the individuals who approach their volunteer work like it is a full-time job and with extraordinary dedication to public schools. They are citizens whose decisions affect our children and build our community.

School boards are charged with making decisions that can sometimes be quite difficult, or require sifting through a great deal of information. They contribute hundreds of hours each year leading Three Rivers Community Schools. Collectively, school board members dedicate themselves to professional development to keep well-informed of the latest trends in educational leadership, are deeply involved in community activities and spend many hours at extracurricular events.

Through their dedication, collaboration with other school district staff, their governance and advocacy, they are building the future of education in Michigan.

This month, we encourage all members of the community to thank a board member. Take this opportunity to show our year-round appreciation for these servant leaders and begin to better understand how local trustees work together to prepare today’s students to be tomorrow’s leaders.

The men and women serving Three Rivers Community Schools are:

Julia Awe

Linda Baker

Mike Bosma

Kevin Hamilton

Erin Nowak

Anne Riopel

Dan Ryan