For
Rallie Ginsberg, an hourly secretary with our Gifted and Talented team, coming to work each day is "a reason to get up in the morning." It's this commitment to Team DPS that has kept her working for the district for 48 years -- even now, at 100 years old.
Born in Denver in 1916, she worked as a substitute secretary in our schools before moving into the Gifted and Talented Department later in her career. As she's watched her kids, grandkids and great-grandkids attend DPS, she continues to support our schools and all our students, day after day, year after year. And she's certainly not going to let age get in her way now.
"I work too fast; that's what they tell me," she said with a smile from her desk at the Emily Griffith Campus, our school-support center that also houses three schools. Those who work with Rallie agree she's quick on her feet and in her work -- including Academic Activities Coordinator Minda McGurk, who uses Rallie's help
to categorize, file and prep materials.
"Rallie keeps us on our toes. She makes sure we're doing what we're supposed to be doing and makes sure she stays busy," Minda said. "She's always asking, 'OK, what else?'"
Rallie is the ultimate example of the commitment our educators bring to DPS. Next week, we will be honoring this dedication as we recognize our longest-serving teammates for their years of service at the Board of Education meeting. All of our educators who are celebrating 25, 30, 35, 40, 45 or 50 years with DPS -- which tallies in at 255 team members -- will be honored during this public celebration. Among them will be 12 educators who are celebrating 45 years with the district and three who have been with us an amazing 50 years. Congratulations and thank you to
Valerie Kluver,
Gordon Heaton and
Penny Ware-Ashby, who are all now substitute teachers and have each served DPS for half a century. That is worth a round of applause!
We know how hard our educators work and how much impact they have on our kids. It's why it's so important to recognize those who have demonstrated their commitment to our kids over so many years.
Thank you to all of our teammates for your dedication. And a special thank you to Rallie, who can teach us all a thing or two about grit, zest and commitment. As Minda with Gifted and Talented put it:
"DPS is always working on commitment -- our commitment to our kids, to our district, to our values. Rallie believes in our kids and our program so much. She wants to be here forever. She's a dedicated employee and a true example of work dedication and dedication to our students."
