As part of their commitment to education, and to celebrate teachers in the Renton School District, each month members of the Rotary Club of Renton selects a few teachers as Teachers of the Month.

Kelley Plecher is an integrated preschool teacher at Meadow Crest Early Learning Center. She attended Western Washington University where she earned a Bachelors degree in General Education and a Special Education Endorsement. Before teaching in Renton, Plecher was an assistant in the Seattle Public School District for seven years, then earned her teaching degree. She began teaching in a small village in Alaska before coming to Renton. Kelley is now in her third year teaching in Renton.

Emi Kurihara is a first grade teacher at Highlands Elementary School. She earned a Bachelor of Arts degree in English and History from the University of Washington and she continued her education at the UW to earn a Masters in Teaching. Kurihara began her teaching experience in Honolulu where she taught kindergarten. Kurihara is currently in her eighth year teaching in Renton.

Jim Jones is a high school social studies teacher at Lindbergh High School. Jones attended Baylor University, in Waco, TX, where he earned a Bachelors degree in Political Science/Journalism. He continued his education with Baylor University School of Law to earn a Doctor of Jurisprudence. He first began his career as a trial lawyer and then founded his own law firm in Dallas, Texas. Jones began teaching at Lindbergh and has been working as a teacher in Renton for five years.

As part of the recognition, teachers attend Rotary’s Teacher of the Month recognition luncheon held at the Maplewood Golf Course. Each teacher is introduced, makes a brief comment about their school and classroom, and receives $200 to be used for classroom supplies, or instruction-al materials.