Marysville Junior High students don’t call him ‘Homey G.’ They know better. This year he let them call him Mr. G, since he has an uncommon name. Next year they won’t call Eric Gjovaag anything. He received the letter advising him his contract would not be renewed. Eric Gjovaag came to the junior high, set boundaries, and gained the respect of his students. In a school replete with phenomenal teachers, he fit right in. Now he has to job hunt over a summer that lasts only a month, and Marysville loses an exceptional first-year teacher.
“Awesome” is frequently used to describe teacher Roy Klementsen. He’s rumored to have more toys than most kids; there’s even an X-Box in his classroom. My son, who never liked Language Arts classes, earned As both quarters with Klementsen. This kid, with his slightly quirky sense of humor, flourished where he found he could be himself and be accepted. I’ll buy “awesome.”
Generally, we fail in our household to find words adequate to praise marimba teacher, Jeannette Hall. The devotion she inspires in her students speaks volumes. After-school marimba at the junior high brings back students who have moved on to high school, even college. Certainly Hall has given my daughter, a natural drummer, a chance to find herself, musically. She has also provided my girl, full height at five feet, an incredible role model – a woman who, while diminutive physically, fills a room with her presence, leads naturally and comfortably and holds strong in her convictions while graciously giving others space for their differing views. We tend to shorten it to “Hall rocks.”
The Marysville School District will be reorganizing toward rebuilding for many months to come. We have exceptional teachers, and that makes rebuilding possible. Thank a teacher!
Marysville
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