Why would a person, living outside of the BG community, take time to weigh in on the BG Schools’ Board of Education race? I feel compelled to speak on behalf of Tracy Hovest, a colleague and friend. I started working with Tracy over 15 years ago when she joined the staff at Whitmer High School. During our time as colleagues, Tracy and I collaborated on several teaching units and assignments. Through this collaboration, I noted Tracy’s hard work and dedication to her work and the students she served. She spent hours after school, on weekends, and over breaks, assessing student work, planning, and collaborating. I know she will have the same dedication and work ethic in service to the BG community as a member of the school board. This dedication to education led me to ask Tracy, when I became the department chair, to lead the teachers as we developed curriculum. Tracy spent time researching, finding best practices, and working with teachers to implement ideas in the classroom.
Over the course of our years working together, a friendship developed. This friendship saw us through promotions, divorce, death, and moves. When Tracy and her family decided to move, I was excited for the new opportunities that she would find. While it was definitely difficult to see her move further away, it has been wonderful to see her embrace the BG community and desire to make it stronger.
Undoubtedly, there is no one who will work harder for the students of BG schools and be more responsible to the community she serves. I have seen it, over and over, in our working and personal relationship. Tracy Hovest would be honored to serve the community and her dedication and work ethic will ensure that BG schools flourish.
Melissa Fitzgerald
Toledo
