During the August 20, 2025 Board Meeting, the following honorees were recognized:
We had the honor of recognizing Mrs. Janet Kocher for her years of dedication and service to Plattin Primary and the Jefferson R-VII School District.
Mrs. Kocher faithfully served the district from 1999–2021 as the administrative assistant at Plattin Primary. Even after retirement, she continued to answer the call whenever the district needed her. As Principal Tina Basler shared, “Janet was a shining light. Whether you were a 7-year-old student or a grandparent walking through the doors, Janet had a way of making you feel like the most important person in the world. She was a steady buffer between the building and staff, and her loyalty and spirit as a BlueJay never wavered.”
In her remarks, Mrs. Kocher reflected on her journey from Pennsylvania to R-VII in 1993. She began volunteering in the district, supporting programs such as Reading Is Our Bag, the BlueJay Nest Store, monthly R7 skates, The Beak Speaks newsletter, and Box Tops for Education assemblies. That service eventually grew into 22 years as Plattin Primary’s administrative assistant, where she made it her mission to ensure every parent, child, staff member, and visitor felt seen, heard, and valued. She reminded us that “the school is the community, and the community is the school and when you blend them together, we become family.”
Janet’s impact can be seen in the many ways she supported Jefferson R-VII during times of transition and growth. Through it all, her presence was a constant reminder that “the heart of the district has always been the people.”
A day with Janet Kocher has always been, and will always be, a great BlueJay day.
From left to right - Mr. McCoy, Ms. Furtado, Ms. Daman, Mr. Search
We were proud to introduce the new staff members joining Jefferson R-VII for the 2025–2026 school year. Each of these individuals brings unique talents, experiences, and a passion for education that will strengthen our schools and support our students.
Please join us in giving them a warm BlueJay welcome as they begin their journey with our district. We are excited for the year ahead and grateful to have them as part of the Jefferson R-VII family.
Tyler Search- JHS Virtual World Language/ JHS Boys Basketball Head Coach
Jeff Dreste- JHS Social Studies/ JHS Assistant Football Coach
Amanda Daman- JHS Paraprofessional and Special Education Teacher
Steven McCoy- Industrial Technology Teacher
Nicole Furtado- Danby Special Education Teacher
Carissa Abrams- Plattin Paraprofessional
Julia Johnson- PreK Aide
Selena Mendez- Food Service Cook
Marla Glatczak- Transportation
Grace Holdinghausen- Paraprofessional
Sammi Bailey- Special Education Teacher
Ally Ervin- Kindergarten Teacher
Congratulations to all!