#take10

Make YOUr mental health a PRIORITY!

YOU are a priority to District 7.  Psych Central defines self-care as any intentional action taken to meet an individual’s physical, mental, spiritual or emotional needs.  It’s all the little ways we take care of ourselves to avoid a breakdown in those respective areas of health.

Knowing what self-care is NOT might be even more important.  Self-care is NOT something that we force ourselves to do or something we don’t enjoy doing.   Self-care is NOT a selfish act.

Self-care is about considering our own needs and recognizing what we need to do in order to take care of ourselves.  From this attention and dedicated time for ourselves, we will be available to assist others with their own needs.

At certain points, the world and the people in it place greater demands on your time, energy and emotions than you might feel able to handle.  This is precisely why self-care is so important.

Your mental health is important and District 7 is committed to supporting the mental health needs of all employees.  The goal of #take10 is to provide a multi-teared approach of prioritizing appreciation activities, creating opportunities for genuine collaboration, and providing resources to meet mental health needs.

You are encouraged to visit this tab often for easy access to the #take 10 activities, announcements, and resources.

2021-22

MAY

During the May #take10 tour, employees honored included:

  • Arthur Byrd, School Safety Officer at Hamel Elementary School
  • Peggy Emling, Social Studies Teacher at Liberty Middle School
  • Michelle Goebel, Special Education Teacher at Lincoln Middle School
  • Paul Hudzik, District 7 Maintenance
  • Beth Jacobs, District 7 Coordinator of Assessment/Professional Learning & Instructional Technology

APRIL 

During the April #take10 tour, employees honored included:

  • Bionca McCarter, Assistant in CASTLE Leclaire
  • Kayla Menson, Edwardsville High School
  • Leslie Simpson, Edwardsville High School
  • Ron Simpson, Woodland Interim Assistant Principal

MARCH

During the March #take10 tour, employees honored included:

  • Jeri Cullen, Nelson Elementary cafeteria
  • Amy Crony, Glen Carbon Elementary 2nd grade teacher
  • Cara Lane, Edwardsville High School English teacher
  • Bob Wilson, Liberty Middle School custodian

FEBRUARY 

During the February #take10 tour, employees honored included:

  • Shanyra Cox, elementary technology
  • Jennifer Fowler, Leclaire Elementary 2nd grade teacher
  • Leonard Manley, Liberty Middle School custodian
  • Jennifer Morgan, Lincoln Middle School principal
  • Robert Unzicker, EHS biology teacher

DECEMBER

The December #take10 tour saw the following outstanding employees honored:

  • Donny Gunter, Leclaire Elementary Principal
  • Jo Reed, Edwardsville High School Special Education Teacher
  • Nany Stahlhut, Columbus Elementary Custodian
  • Christina Winfield, District Shield Testing Coordinator

NOVEMBER

On our November #take10 Tour, we surprised the following outstanding employees:

  • Carey Francis, Superintendent’s/Board of Education Secretary
  • Ana Gill, Cassens Elementary Attendance Secretary
  • Bri Rinehimer, Liberty Middle School 6th Grade Social Studies Teacher
  • Heather Whitmire, Columbus Elementary 3rd Grade Teacher

OCTOBER

On our October #take10 Tour, we surprised the following outstanding employees:

  • Jennifer Baker – multilingual teacher
  • Janna Beckman – LeClaire kindergarten teacher
  • April Linley – multilingual teacher
  • Ginger McDaniel – elementary math interventionist
SEPTEMBER 
#take10 is back this school year and we are excited to honor these four outstanding individuals for the month of September.
Latrice Lott, Columbus Elementary School principal secretary: Latrice is being recognized for being so much more. At any given moment you can find her assisting students, parents and staff alike. No job is too big or too small for her to handle and she does it with a smile on her face. She takes pride in her work and is professional.
Melissa McKaig, district occupational therapist: Melissa is a true gem! She is always there to lend a hand with students on and off her caseload. She collaborates with staff and families alike. Melissa works diligently to meet children’s occupational needs K-12. She has been a resident occupational therapist who has also taken on training others. When anyone needs assistance in relation to OT or sensory needs, Melissa will be there.
Sara Radae, Glen Carbon Elementary special education: Sara has demonstrated not only what it means to meet her students where they are, but she encourages them to thrive. Sara is also a true team member. She has been caught assisting other teachers in curriculum development and technology needs.
Jeff Wallis, Edwardsville High School psychologist: Jeff has a great work ethic and is always willing to help students and staff alike. Jeff has taken a lead in MTSS at EHS and his effort has contributed to the culture change emerging there. Jeff is also one of our SCM trainers and when asked he jumped at the chance to assist our district by developing and recording a webinar for de-escalation.

2020-21

#take10 says thank you to the Glen Carbon staff!

On our May #take10 Tour, we surprised the following outstanding employees:

  • Brandon Hokeness, Elementary Band Teacher
  • Jamie Kupferer, Edwardsville High School, Teacher
  • Rachel Hollis, Liberty Middle School, Teacher
  • Penny Straub, Lincoln Middle School, Teacher

#take10 says thank you to the Goshen staff!

On our April #take10 Tour, we surprised the following outstanding employees:

  • Amy Nunn, Hamel Elementary, Teacher
  • Emily Moore, Kid Zone Asst. Director
  • Kalan Gott, Lincoln Middle School, Special Education Teacher
  • Jenni Kupinksi, Midway Elementary, Secretary

#take10 says thank you to the Columbus staff!

#take10 says thank you to the Midway staff!

On our March #take10 Tour, we surprised the following outstanding employees:

  • Mary Miller, Edwardsville High School, Assistant Principal
  • Libby Koonce, Liberty Middle School, Math Teacher
  • Kayla Magruder, Edwardsville High School, Special Education Teacher
  • Josh Ferry, Director of Building and Grounds

#take10 says thanks to Hamel Staff

#take10 says thanks to Worden Staff

On our February #take10 Tour, we surprised the following outstanding employees:

  • Kylee Kuba, Kindergarten Remote teacher at Leclaire, hired in 2017
  • Deborah Heidemann, Monitor at Columbus Elementary, hired in 2014
  • Jennifer Mulvihill, Social Worker, hired in 1998
  • MaryBeth Brown, District 7 Kid Zone Director, hired in 2012

#take10 says thanks to Cassens Staff

#take10 says thanks to Leclaire Staff

On Friday, January 8, 2021, the #take10 Wellness Team had the honor of recognizing some of our hardworking champions who give their best every day.

Emily Cimarolli, second grade remote teacher at Nelson Elementary

Leah Gibbs, head cook at Goshen Elementary

Mandie Schulte, secretary at EHS South

Beth Renth, principal at Worden Elementary

#take10 says thanks to Lincoln Staff

#take10 says thanks to Nelson Staff

Our First #take10 District recognition goes to the EHS Instructional Technology Coaches.    Their support throughout this crazy year has been unfailing and likely under appreciated.  That’s why #take10 is recognizing them and asking that they #take10 minutes for self-care while they enjoy their awards of smoothies and gift cards from our partners at Source Juicery.    Join us in congratulating Adam Koester, Mandy Huling, Carry Bailey, and Lauren Mudge, and remember to #take10 minutes for yourself every day!