Hartland School's Person of the Month is 'Lucky' to be Part of Educating Children

By Hartland Schools

Get to know Hartland Schools September 2013 "Person of the Month" Toni Silsbe.

I was hired on February 2, 1981 by Art Behrman. He hired me to be a two-hour playground aide at Lakes Elementary. I would not have guessed that thirty-two years later I would still be around.

Introduction

I had tried college a couple of times but ended up meeting the man of my dreams, got married and had two children. I have received a lot of on the job training. Working for Hartland Schools, especially at the high school, has been an education!

I have been married for thirty-eight years to a wonderful man. We have two children - a son Ryan and daughter Erin. They started as Lakes kids and moved through the district. Erin liked it so much she became a teacher and now teaches second grade at Village Elementary. Erin blessed us with a granddaughter on October 30, 2011. Grandpa is her caregiver two days a week so I am lucky enough to see her every Wednesday and Friday. Her name is Quinn Grace Your, but please do not ask me about her unless you have a lot of time to spend listening to me brag.

Memories of Hartland Schools

I have so many fond memories. I have been fortunate to work with some really wonderful educators and support staff. My most surprising memory was when I was called to a staff meeting for no apparent reason. Marilyn Ray called me to the front of the room and handed me a gift certificate for a weekend getaway for two. The staff had all chipped in as a “thank you.” Apparently, I had everyone fooled into thinking I was kind and helpful. Little did they know how much I enjoyed all the party planning and social directing that I did.

Why are you still here?

I am still here because I am way too young to retire. I still look forward to coming to work every day. Hartland Schools has been a great place to work, live and raise my children. I love that we hire our own graduates to teach and work in our schools. It shows we have confidence in the job we are doing.

Most positive thing about Hartland Schools?

The most positive thing I can say about Hartland Schools is the number of former students that live in the district. It always amazes me. They come into Community Education every day. They are here to raise their children and be a part of our community. They so enjoyed their childhood, they want the same great experience for their own children. I recognize most of them and they recognize me, many can’t remember my name but they know who I am. Once in a while one will even tell me that I helped make school a little better place for them.

I am lucky to be a part of something as important as educating children. I have witnessed for the past thirty years what an outstanding and caring job our entire staff does from kindergarten through high school. It is heartbreaking to see how low a priority our elected officials have placed on our students; not to mention the recent legislation that has so negatively impacted public education and its employees.

Thanks for the memories! I am hoping this award comes with a parking space. I know it does at Walmart.