Story originally printed in the La Crosse Tribune or online at www.lacrossetribune.com

Published - Saturday, July 19, 2008

Ryan Stotts: Art teacher offered special connection

By Ryan Stotts | La Crosse Tribune

LA CRESCENT, Minn. — La Crescent schools will have a huge void when classes resume school this fall.

That’s because one of the most amazing teachers I’ve met won’t be there.

Tami Rae Weiss taught art at La Crescent-Hokah High School for nine years. I first met her when I became involved in Appleseed Community Theatre — a group that was born out of her desire to perform, direct and give opportunities for others to do the same.

It was apparent Weiss shared a special connection with students and the community. That’s likely because of her attitude when it came to teaching.

“I’ve found that young people are some of the most passionate and brilliant people. They can do phenomenal things,” she said.

She’s right — but she’s the reason they became more passionate, brilliant and phenomenal. I’m not the only one who feels that way.

“Kids adore her. I think she understands them and the emotions they’re dealing with at their age. They trust her,” said Laurel Allen, who is secretary to the activities director at the school and a close friend of Weiss.

While at La Crescent, Weiss formed Cure Finders, raising more than $5,000 for the Cystic Fibrosis Foundation, after learning two of her students had the disease.

She didn’t do it for herself, she said. She did it because she couldn’t bear the thought that kids would have to suffer.

And, if all that doesn’t convince you how amazing Weiss is, then consider what happened when she almost lost her job.

Due to a seizure disorder and the devastating death of her father, Weiss missed a lot of days at school. The administration decided not to renew her contract.

But students, parents and community members wouldn’t let that happen.

Posters, yard signs and buttons called for retaining Weiss. Students staged a school walkout. They sat in the district school office and refused to go until they were heard.

“They rallied for me in ways I never expected,” Weiss said. “Ultimately, they did save my job.”

Which made the decision to move to the school district in Elk Mound, Wis., with her husband and two children even more difficult. She said she had to do it to be closer as a family.

“I would like to thank the community,” she said. “... La Crescent will always feel like home to me.”

She’ll be back often, she said, and she’ll always stay in touch.

And although she’s accomplished much in La Crescent, she’s modest about it.

“Ultimately, I would say I’m just an art teacher, and that’s what I’m most proud of,” she said.

Ryan Stotts can be reached at (608) 791-8446 or ryan.stotts@lee.net.