Please vote yes on referendum

Dear Editor,

My family moved to Dodgeville when I was 6 months old, and I have lived here pretty much my entire life outside of my college years.  From the time that I was a 3rd grader in Mrs. Rocks's 3rd grade class, I dreamed of becoming a teacher.  While going through my education in the Dodgeville School District, my goal was to come back to teach in my hometown.  In 2013, my dream became a reality when I accepted the job as the Dodgeville Elementary Physical Education teacher.  I have been teaching in this position ever since, and I can honestly say that I am living my dream.  I love my job.  

Like any teacher, I come to my job to make a positive impact on the lives of the students who walk through those doors.  Our teachers and staff care deeply for their students.  I can say with certainty that the teachers here do everything in their power to help every single student learn and grow - from the teachers to the support staff, to the custodians, to the secretaries...everyone plays a part.  

Teaching has gotten harder recently with the cuts that our school district has been forced to make.  We have lost some great teachers and staff; our class sizes have gotten bigger; we have had major cuts to resources.  But that has not stopped our teachers from doing everything in their power to help the students. As a Dodgeville community, we need to VOTE YES on this referendum for our students, for our teachers and staff, and most importantly for our Dodgeville community.  

I have 4 young children, and I want them to be educated in a school district where they have every opportunity to learn and grow and become successful, productive citizens.  I want them to walk through those doors and take pride in where they grew up; most importantly, I want to help build a community of Dodgeville where students, teachers, and families come together and say, YES you are important, and we WILL do this for YOU! Please join me in voting Yes for the school referendum on Nov. 5! 

Sincerely,

Ann Alleman

Dodgeville, WI

***This is a paid letter.