Meadow Ridge Goes to Washington
by Blake R. Bowman
Principal, Meadow Ridge Elementary
This fall, Meadow Ridge Elementary was honored with the distinction of being named a 2024 National Blue Ribbon School for Exemplary Academic Performance. The United States Department of Education honored 12 Michigan schools and 356 schools from across the country in a ceremony in early November in Washington D.C. I had the great fortune of attending the event with our superintendent, Dr. Steven Matthews, and a first-grade teacher from Meadow Ridge, Cristina Tendero-Scott. It was an immense honor to interact with so many other teaching professionals who are achieving excellence in their regions and states and exceptionally humbling to be included in such company. It was an incredible feeling to have people from the Department of Education congratulating you at every turn for your success.
Teachers, by and large, are humble and modest people who don’t seek fanfare or recognition. We come into work every day and we do what comes naturally: we love kids. It doesn’t seem extraordinary, in the moment, to take an extra bit of time to check in on a child who isn’t having a great day. The fist bumps of encouragement and hugs of affirmation are so innate that we extend them without thinking about how impactful they can be on the other end. We give kids reasons to believe in themselves and help them capitalize on their unique gifts because every child deserves to be loved and supported to reach their full potential. We do this because it’s our calling and because it feels right.
Quite simply, Meadow Ridge isn’t the only school that deserves this honor. Across Rockford, incredible things are happening in every school. In every classroom. In every lunchroom and on every bus. Rockford is filled with educators who go above and beyond to make children’s lives brighter, to put smiles on their faces, and to inspire these children to live with character and purpose. Even after flying back from Washington, I could not tell you what set Meadow Ridge apart in the eyes of the Department of Education. It has something to do with state assessment scores and student demographics. Regardless, Meadow Ridge is honored to be a part of the great things that are happening in Rockford Public Schools. We enjoy tremendous direction from our Instruction Department under Asst. Superintendent Mike Ramm. We are supported by a remarkable Board of Education and are propped up by incredible community support. I always wanted to teach in a district where the distinction between the community and the schools was very blurred. In Rockford, I’m living that dream.
While it is true that three of us went to Washington a couple of weeks ago, I felt like the entire city of Rockford came with us. The honors bestowed upon us were a celebration of all that makes living in Rockford so great and all that makes Rockford a wonderful place to grow and learn. I was proud to represent such a wonderful home as Rockford. Thank you all for your support of our schools.
