By former BCSD 101 teacher Darrell Kerby
Over 40 years ago, I stepped out of the classroom and into the unpredictable world of local government and private business. But no matter how many years pass, I will always be a teacher at heart. For three years, I had the privilege of guiding seventh and eighth graders at Valley View Grade School, followed by four years shaping the minds of juniors and seniors at Bonners Ferry High School.
Looking back, I am overwhelmed with gratitude for the incredible students who filled my classroom. They were sharp, curious, and — let’s be honest — a little too energetic at times. But what a gift it was to witness their growth, their triumphs, and their ever-expanding sense of possibility.
Today, when I hear their names or catch up on their journeys, I feel an undeniable swell of pride. They are doctors, engineers, artists, entrepreneurs, parents, community leaders — the very people who shape our world. And to think I played even a small role in their path is humbling and exhilarating.
Perhaps only fellow teachers will understand this, but in the end, every single one of them taught me something. They challenged me, inspired me and reminded me that the power to shape a life — to ignite curiosity, to encourage resilience, to unlock potential — is the greatest honor of all.
It is with this understanding that I will ask all of my friends here in Boundary County to vote yes on the two-year Boundary County School District Levy taking place on May 20. It is an issue so much more than just funding programs. It is about our community’s future and the future adults who will make a difference.