An Extra Special Teacher Appreciation Week: Perspectives Admin Team Goes Above & Beyond

This is the sixth in a series of inspiring stories of innovation and success with distance learning from charter public schools in Illinois. You can read more here. 

Several dozen Illinois and Indiana teachers had an extra special Teacher Appreciation Week this May.

Eron Powell, Principal of Perspectives Leadership Academy and High School of Technology (PLA/Tech), who was born and raised in the city’s Englewood neighborhood, along with Assistant Principals Jessica Eggert and Rachel Terry, logged over 200 miles delivering handwritten notes and bottles of sparkling grape juice to 62 teachers from Roselle to Beverly in Illinois to northwest Indiana.

“This was an idea that we could see them at a social safe distance as well as bring a little bit of cheer and say, hey, we love you, we miss you, appreciate what you do for our students,” Powell said.

Powell felt teachers deserved extra recognition this year, as they’ve been thrown into a completely new and uncharted education environment. PLA/Tech teachers have risen to the challenge and are still delivering high-quality curriculum to high school students in the Chatham neighborhood.

“It was amazing, it just felt so special,” teacher Jessica Covington said. “It really brightened up my day. It started off my week really good and it made me feel like I was really appreciated.”

ABC Chicago heard about this incredible effort to show appreciation for teachers, and they caught up with Powell during one of his deliveries. Watch the video at abc7chicago.com!

Perspectives Leadership Academy and High School of Technology (PLA/Tech), is part of Perspectives Charter Schools, a network that has served students in grades 6 – 12 on the city’s South side for 20 years.