The Rotary Club of South Haven has recognized Barb Raak of South Haven Public Schools as its 2024 Educator of the Year.
The Rotary’s Dana Hullinger tells us Raak has been a teacher for about 26 years. She teaches fourth and fifth grades under a unique model developed in South Haven.
“They call it looping, where they keep the fourth and fifth grade children together as their teacher for those two years in a row,” Hullinger said. “So, she’s their teacher for both the fourth and the fifth grades, and has had some remarkable successes with this.”
Hullinger says the Rotary award recognizes a South Haven resident in the education field who exemplifies the attributes of quality teaching, mentoring, and community involvement. He says the looping method of having kids for two years has helped Mrs. Raak guide the kids during an especially important time.
“She’s receiving these children really as third graders when they end their third grade year, and she’s giving them up, so to speak, into the sixth grade year. So, those two years are really important in the students’ academic development, social development, intellectual development.”
Raak and her husband also work with the schools in a field-to-table program providing fresh, locally grown fruit and vegetables to the school cafeterias at reduced cost. Plus, they’re JV coaches.
In honor of Raak, the Rotary made a $500 donation to its education fund. She was presented the award at the organization’s annual Education Dinner.
