I (Sara Buerman) am filled with joy to give the Golden Apple Award to the exceptional teacher Amber Van Dis. I have know Amber Van Dis for the last two and a half years. In that time I have gotten to see some of her wonderful attributes. Her kindness is overflowing daily. Her interactions with students goes beyond patient and understanding, her students know how much Ms. Van Dis loves and cares for them.  This holiday season she hand delivered a gift to a student who missed the last day of school before break to as she said “make sure they had something under the tree”. 

      Amber puts in so many hours to make sure everything is fully prepared and set for her students the next day. It is inspiring to see someone so dedicated to their career and students. The amazing crafts and activities she completes with her students make a lasting impression on her students and their families. 

      She is constantly caring towards her coworkers and expects nothing in return. She offers those around her so much support that it makes the terrible, horrible,  no good, very bad days completely manageable. With the change of staff at the beginning of the year and only two second grade teachers instead of the planned three,  Amber didn’t grumble or complain but instead got right to the work of fitting in those extra students into her classroom.  

      Amber always goes out of her way to help this school community. She was an integral part of the Community Read event last year and served on the March is reading month committee. This year on top of all her other duties she is helping implement a new PBIS program here at Bellevue Elementary. She continues to put in many hours for her students, coworkers, and school family but we could not ask for a more dedicated and talented teacher.