There is a special kind of magic happening at Walker Elementary!
The spotlight is shining directly on first-grade teacher Katie Struebing! We are absolutely thrilled to announce that Katie has been named the January Springdale Spotlight winner for her creativity, school spirit and dedication to her students.
A Bright Idea After a Cold Snap
The inspiration for Katie’s winning moment came after a series of snow days kept students away from their classrooms. As the community prepared for students to return on Jan. 29, a school bus needed to be moved to help clear the remaining snow.
While others saw a routine chore, Katie saw an opportunity for joy. She suggested the team film a fun, high-energy video to welcome the kids back and get them excited to return to school. The resulting video was a hit, capturing the heart and humor of the Walker Elementary family.
A huge shout-out goes to the entire Walker Elementary Team and the dedicated bus driver who participated in the video! It takes a village to create such a welcoming environment, and their willingness to jump in front of the camera showed exactly why Walker is such a special place for students to learn and grow.
Winning Recognition for a Star Educator
To celebrate her fantastic idea and her commitment to the Springdale community, Katie was presented with a prize pack fit for a star. Her "Spotlight" haul included:
An "I Love Springdale Schools" mug ☕
A custom T-shirt and stickers 👕
A full month of FREE car washes, courtesy of Tommy’s Express Car Wash in Springdale! 🚗💦
Congratulations, Katie Struebing! Thank you for going above and beyond to make the return to school extra special for your first graders. Your creativity is a perfect example of why our educators are the heart of Springdale.