Carol Stoker – Valley Elementary

Miss Stoker taught my child, Elisabeth, as a first grader. The summer prior to school my daughter was diagnosed with cancer. My daughter was unable to go to school very much due to treatments and sickness. Whenever she did attend she made to feel welcomed and loved by her teacher. On my daughter’s birthday the treat she wanted to share was oranges. When my daughter arrived sometime after lunch with 25 oranges, Miss Stoker stopped whatever the class was doing to peel them all for the classmates.
My daughter’s sickness turned terminal the last week of school. Miss Stoker visited her on the day she died. It seemed like she was waiting to see her teacher that cared so much for her. Elisabeth couldn’t talk, but her hand lifted toward her letting us know of her love for her.
It has been 14 years since this time and I have had 3 other children in her class. Miss Stoker gave them that same love that radiates from her class. All children feel good for having walked into her room.

I now teach at the same school with Miss Stoker. She has served as the bus duty person making sure every single student is safely on the bus or with their ride. She cares for every student that enters our school.

–Cindy Hillstrom

“One looks back with appreciation to the brilliant teachers, but with gratitude to those who touched our human feelings. The curriculum is so much necessary raw material, but warmth is the vital element for the growing plant and for the soul of the child.” ~ Carl Jung

This year my son was privileged to have Carol Stoker as his third grade teacher at Valley Elementary. The realities of Type I Diabetes can be scary for a 3rd grader. “Who will notice when my blood sugar drops or rises? What will I eat when the other kids get treats? What if I forget my diabetes supplies and my mom is downtown? Who will put their arm around me when I don’t feel well?” These and much more are just a few of the concerns/situations Miss Stoker took care of while Alex was in her class. On several occasions Alex would say to me “Miss Stoker saved my life today!!” While writing this letter, I asked him if he missed his teacher. As he fought back the tears he said, “yes, but she told me I could check my blood in her class next year.” Carol you did much more than save “Alex’s life” on a regular basis, you taught him what it means to love, care for and serve another person. All the little things you did on a regular basis meant so much to us.

–Amy Crookston