New DHS digital media teacher, Amy Riley recognized as Making a Difference winner
From left: Great American Bank Exec. Vice President, Mark Gonzales; Making a Difference winner Amy Riley; USD 232 Superintendent Frank Harwood; Great American Bank CFO Matt Little; USD232EF Board Member Chuck Neill; and DHS Principal Sam Ruff.
On Tuesday, Nov. 15, Amy Riley, the new digital media teacher at De Soto High School was awarded the USD 232 Making a Difference Award for the month of October.
According to the district website, The Making a Difference Award celebrates the exceptional teachers and staff in the De Soto district who are truly “making a difference in the lives of young people.”
The district decides the monthly winners through submissions from either students or parents.
Mrs. Riley was nominated by Emma Hellerich, one of the editors-in-chief of the newspaper at DHS.
Emma’s nomination for Mrs. Riley stated: “Mrs. Riley is one of the most kind, considerate and caring faculty members at DHS. She is brand new to the district this year but has already made a lasting impact on me and my peers. She has not only been an amazing teacher but also someone I am able to turn to if I am struggling. She has helped the DHS newspaper publication expand and has brought a fresh new look to The Green Pride. Not only that but Mrs. Riley has helped me through more than she could imagine. Every day I walk into her classroom, I feel safe and happy to be there.”
Mrs. Riley was awarded $250, along with a custom-made award, fabricated by students at the Cedar Trails Exploration Center (CTEC).
Junior Leah Napier shares why she was not surprised when hearing about the news.
“Mrs. Riley is so kind and caring. She has been so helpful and she has made her class so much fun,” Napier said.
Riley was presented with the award by De Soto School District Superintendent Frank Harwood, Great American Bank executives and other De Soto administrators during Newspaper class. All students were as surprised to see 15+ district administrators, as she was.
One student journalist, junior Ashlyn Hammel was in newspaper class during Mrs. Riley’s surprise.
“I was in shock and couldn’t stop smiling. I was so happy for her,” Hammel said. “At first I was really confused and thought Mr. Ruff was coming in to observe her teaching, but then, more and more people kept walking in and then I saw the giant check.”
While only being at De Soto for half a semester, Mrs. Riley has changed lives for the better and has improved all aspects of Media production.
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