Diamond Lake school leaders show teachers signs of appreciation

The philosophy for Bhavna Sharma-Lewis, superintendent of Diamond Lake Elementary School District 76, for the first day of Teacher Appreciation Week was simple: divide and conquer.

Divide was splitting up 130 signs reading "Sparkle On ... We Appreciate the Teacher That Lives Here" among school district leaders, and the conquer was planting them Monday outside the homes of teachers and other staff members.

"We are delivering signs to each staff member's house, posting them to show a little appreciation for all the work they have been doing with remote learning and keeping kids engaged and connected," Sharma-Lewis said.

"Our teachers are really amazing and we wanted to take the time to care and appreciate them," she added. "The teachers have pretty much run with it since day one to keep the kids feeling safe and connected and part of the community."

Principal Kurt Preble of West Lake Intermediate School in Mundelein delivered his first sign to a teacher's home in Long Grove. Then he was on to Buffalo Grove, Huntley and a final stop in Carol Stream.

"We appreciate everything our teachers do especially in this time more than any other time," Preble said.