10-05-2025
Teacher Appreciation Week: Former, current CCSD educators thankful for support
LAS VEGAS (KLAS) – Teacher Appreciation Week is celebrated across the U.S., including in the Las Vegas valley, highlighting the importance of educators who shape young minds.
During this week, educators are recognized for their dedication and impact on students' lives.
8 News Now spoke with current and former teachers from the Clark County School District (CCSD) to discuss the challenges they face and the enduring love they have for their profession.
Dana Utzinger, a fourth-grade teacher, shared her experience of receiving a letter from a parent expressing gratitude and appreciation for her transparency and dedication.
'It is about building those relationships to let parents and students know that we have been there, we know the struggles you are going through,' Utzinger said.
Allan Mamaclay, a former CCSD teacher, expressed concerns about the reduction in teacher autonomy over the past several years.
'We had a lot of teacher autonomy, and I think in the last 7 years it became scripted,' Mamaclay said.
Nellie Gazmen, another fourth-grade teacher, expressed her desire for the trust and support to teach without excessive testing.
'It took a lot of the fun away from the kids, too, where it's testing and read this and do this,' Gazmen said.
The teachers also discussed the issue of salaries, with Utzinger highlighting the disparity between her qualifications and her pay.
'I mean, I have two master's degrees, and I am gold certified in teaching, I'm still not at the level of pay I should be,' she stated.
Despite the challenges, the teachers emphasized the importance of appreciation beyond monetary compensation.
'It feels nice this week, you know, the extra lunches, the free time, the treats,' Gazmen mentioned.
Teacher Appreciation Week serves as a reminder of the vital role educators play in shaping the future, and the community is encouraged to show gratitude through gestures such as gift cards, flowers, or notes.
DonorsChoose is a nonprofit organization that connects teachers with donors to fund specific classroom projects.
The three teachers 8 News Now spoke to added that despite the challenges they face, the love for education and children keeps them in the classroom.
All facts from this article were gathered by KLAS journalists. This article was converted into this format with assistance from artificial intelligence. It has been edited and approved by KLAS staff.
Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.
