It means a lot. The Golden Apple shows our community what teachers are doing. It shows that great things are happening in Lee County.

I feel it shouldn't just be me out of all the great teachers we have here. I get a little embarrassed at times. I am one of many great teachers here. Hopefully I'll represent the school well.

What better way than to bring teachers to Japan, give them experiences interacting with students and teachers and the community, and adding a little sightseeing?

One of our goals is to build a sense of community within the group of first- and second-year teachers that are new to the district in Ottumwa, and the other is to help orientate those teachers to our community. The bus tour accomplishes both of those goals,

But the challenge is making sure that everyone understands that if police, teachers and firefighters can't afford housing, the janitors, clerks and maids can't afford housing either. They may not be saving your life, but we can't have a community without them.

It is easy for clubs to say they are community oriented. We are actually putting the principle into practice.