Saturday, January 23, 2010

Letter to the Editor, from Darren Motamedy:

Dear Editor,

I love my community of Kent Washington.  I have lived in Kent for over 40 years, and attest to the strength of our schools, not only because I attended Panther Lake Elementary, Meeker Junior High School, and Kentridge High School, but because today I am an educator in the Kent School District.  On February 9^th, we are going to vote on two critical propositions, proposition one and two.  http://www.kent.k12.wa.us/ksd/cr/2010levy/web/index.html The purpose of these levies will be to “maintain” the current status of education for our children at our current tax rate!  By voting yes, we will continue to ensure that our students are technologically savvy in the 21^st century.  By voting yes, we will ensure that our students will continue to have “clean and well maintained classrooms”, after school sports programs, music programs, safety officers, and a highly trained teaching staff that is preparing our students to become our future leaders!

I appreciate what the Kent School District offered me when I was a student.  My teachers taught me the importance of hard work, knowledge, dedication, and the high ideals of contributing back to the society that raised me.  Today, I am a band director in the Kent School District because of the ideals that my teachers instilled upon me.  I see those ideals being met every day in the classroom by observing my colleagues.

I see teachers tirelessly and lovingly instructing students every day.  I see teachers continuing their personal education by taking college classes, master classes, professional certification classes, and national board class to ensure that they are acquainted with the newest teaching techniques available to help their students.  I see teachers helping disadvantaged students by opening their checkbooks to pay for clothing, food, school supplies, and school camps.  Why?  Because they care about the future of our community!

By voting yes on February 9^th, we are adopting the district motto to “Successfully Prepare All Students For Their Future”. Voting yes on February 9^th will ensure our teachers have the tools necessary to “Prepare All Students For Their Future”.  The School Administration, Teachers, and School Board in Kent are united in our quest to build our community, student by student, classroom by classroom, school by school.  Yes means quality education for our children of Kent!  Yes means a positive future for Kent!

Sincerely,

Darren Motamedy

Darren Motamedy teaches 5^th and 6^th Grade Band in Kent and was the 2008 teacher of the year in Kent, as well as  the KCTS Golden Apple Recipient for 2009.