There was bacon everywhere at Clearview on Wednesday as the school honored their media specialist, Cole Bacon.
Because of upcoming changes at Clearview, Bacon will be splitting his time between Clearview and Lincoln Elementary in St. Cloud next year, and the staff at Clearview wanted to let him know how much they appreciate him.
Coming in that morning, Bacon was welcomed with a tie and rose made from bacon duct tape, staff wearing felt bacon pins, and signs thanking him and announcing his special day.
“I was surprised, totally shocked,” said Bacon about his surprise appreciation day. “They’re such wonderful people here, they’ve been so good to me.”
As media specialist, Bacon has a number of responsibilities at Clearview. He takes care of technology needs and issues, does testing all year long for the students, runs the book fairs, keeps the webpage current, films programs, works with students to do morning announcements, handles book collections and more.
“Cole will drop whatever he’s doing and help with whatever we need,” said art teacher Kathy Gerdts-Senger. “He’s our superman.”
Bacon taught fourth, fifth and sixth grade for 23 years before becoming a media specialist, mostly at District 742 schools. After completing his masters he made the move to his current career, which he has enjoyed for around 11 years.
“The years have flown by,” said Bacon. “It’s a great job, it’s rewarding in so many ways. I’m able to work with both students and staff here, and they’re all so nice.”
Staff members brought in food and treats all consisting of bacon to help celebrate the day. There were BLT wraps, bacon flavored meat and cheese, bacon salad, bacon hotdish and bacon potatoes. There were even chocolate chip bacon cookies and bacon Nutella krispie bars.
“I basically bought everything I could find with bacon at the grocery store,” laughed Gerdts-Senger.
Along with thanks from the staff, students wrote Bacon thank you notes to tell him all the ways they also appreciate him and everything he does for Clearview.
