Agostinho: Just getting by isn’t good enough
Valley Voices
Courtesy photo
Madi Callis is a great teacher. She greets her students at the door, sporting an Eagle Valley High School softball shirt because it’s Friday and because she’s also a coach at Eagle Valley. She changes her inspirational quote outside her room every week in order to motivate students (and staff members like myself) who read them in order to gain insight or simply learn something new.
I asked her what has been challenging for her so far in her young career and she said creating a manageable work/life balance has been her biggest issue. Many teachers in the Eagle County School District work well beyond their paid contract time in order to create a better experience for their students. This goes without saying, but teaching isn’t like any other job out there.
Her classroom is welcoming. Pennants of her favorite sports teams, her college alma mater and photos of admirable athletes adorn her walls. She connects with her students on many levels because they matter. A poster on her wall says, “Ideas are worthless without execution.” I couldn’t agree more.
She thanks her students for being in class because she cares about her kids and she loves our community because she grew up here. On her TV, she displays review and reflection questions for the week in English and Spanish for her diverse classroom.
A large canvas of beautiful mountains and a meandering stream illustrates her love of nature. It was the first thing I noticed when I sat down in her classroom. Ms. Callis is also a team player. It’s only her second year at Eagle Valley and she has already taught world geography, psychology and personal economics. Her instructions and purpose are clear. She knows her craft and her transitions are seamless because she’s prepared.
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Madi graduated from Eagle Valley High School in 2019 and earned not one, but two bachelor’s degrees from Western Colorado University in psychology and economics. She came right back to school by accepting a position in the social studies department and wants to continue her own education, but it’s not cheap. Aside from being a softball coach, she also landscapes in the summer to make ends meet.
She wants to continue her education and eventually earn an MBA with an emphasis in entrepreneurship, but she can’t afford it. She chose this major because many students at Eagle Valley are interested in entrepreneurship or owning a business. Sitting in her room, I could feel the kindness and compassion she has for her students. Her goal is simple: make their lives better.
Her students were engaged the entire class period and she even allowed them to sit with their friends after introducing the lesson. Apparently, “Free Seat Friday” is a thing, and I’ll definitely implement that in my classroom if my students earn it. Her kids most certainly did.
She told me that she does feel valued in our school and community. Madi is a prime example of a staff member we need to retain. She wants to stay, but like so many Eagle County School District staff members, it’s not easy. Unfortunately, base pay in our district ranks 27th in Colorado, while our cost of living in Eagle County is fifth. Those numbers do not add up. Certified staff did receive a step increase for 25-26, which ranges from 2.69% to 3.22%, but rising costs (including health care) have already dug into (and for some, nullified) those salary increases.
Teachers like Madi deserve to be praised because it’s abundantly clear that she goes above and beyond for her students every day, but that’s not enough to get her ahead. Her goal is to own a home one day and the district does provide various opportunities for staff housing. That being said, more needs to be done through increased salary compensation for all staff in the school district.
We shouldn’t be satisfied with just getting by, because Eagle County School District employees are the heart and soul of this valley and deserve to be monetarily rewarded for loving, guiding and providing for our students.
