USD 413 Superintendent Matt Koester recognized the district’s Professional Learning Community leaders during a recent meeting, praising their role in supporting teacher development and strengthening instruction across the district.
Professional Learning Communities, known as PLCs, are made up of grade-level and department leaders who guide teams through ongoing professional development. Koester said those leaders are essential to building a strong, unified system.
“In years past, PLC work was done back in individual buildings, but bringing everyone together has made it more relevant and productive,” Koester said. “It’s important that we understand our mission and vision, and more importantly, why we are moving forward with this work.”
Koester said recent PLC meetings have focused on developing a shared understanding of district goals, deconstructing academic standards and aligning instruction.
Froelich shared a tribute from former “museum kid” Michael Miller.
“I’m deeply saddened to hear the news that Jackie has passed away,” Miller said. “She was one of my first mentors as a teenager, and I could not imagine my life today without her guidance. A great mentor sees in you what you’ve yet to see in yourself, and Jackie encouraged me to chase my dreams. She was there for me in countless ways.
“She was the first person who showed me there was so much more adventure, living vicariously through Martin and Osa Johnson. Archiving their story is something I still take pride in today and has influenced my career in visual design and photography and my love for travel. I still reminisce about my time scanning countless photos after school and preserving their legacy with Jacque’s encouragement.”
Current Safari Museum Director Kim Westcott said Borgeson-Zimmer was one of the reasons she decided to take the position, and that honoring her legacy is important.
“She had this wonderful, infectious energy, and I felt like we shared similar visions for the museum,” Westcott said. “I did not know Jackie long, but the time I did know her was incredible.”
Wescott said that the Museum will be naming the exhibit containing the collection of masks and Lizzie Le Blond artifacts after her. The Night at the Museum Gala will be held in her honor this year on Valentine’s Day at the museum, and tickets are still available to be purchased through Feb. 12 at the museum or online, https:// Night26.givesmart.com.
