'Thyra Elliot is the heart and soul of this school'
SEATTLE -- You might call it a heroic hustle. Or maybe a hail Mary.
Dozens of elementary school students are trying to save their teacher's job by battling budget cuts with basketball.
At St. Therese, students are shooting baskets and raising bucks with one goal in mind: "So you can keep Ms. Elliott at the school," in the words of student Henry Nichols.
Thyra Elliott, the physical education teacher who regularly roots them on, is losing the job she loves for one reason.
"Money," said principal Eileen Gray. "We're a private school, and the numbers are down in this tough economy."
But the kids aren't ready to throw in the towel just yet. With each basket, the kids raises pledge money toward Elliott's salary.
"I'm gonna make ten shots for Ms. Elliott," said student Lossitiah Welch.
For Elliott, just watching their efforts is touching, regardless of the final results.
"It's just so amazing that they'd feel this way about their PE teacher. I'm not their classroom teacher. It's great. I love'em," she said. "They showed me they loved me, and I'll be around."
But Elliott isn't just their PE teacher. She also runs the library, teaches religion, holds before- and after-school programs. She's also the the student council advisor. And for 25 years, she worked as a substitute teacher at the school.
The students need to raise $23,000 in order for the school to have Elliott employed on a part-time basis with benefits this fall.
"In so many ways, Thyra Elliot is the heart and soul of this school," said Elieen Gray.
Like the rings on a tree tell its age, Elliot's key ring reveals her stay at St. Therese. She can open just about every door at the school.
School wouldn't sound the same without Elliott. Because for one, she whistles like no other. Other teachers have tried copying her whistle technique, but none have quite mastered her sound.
Elliott will learn her professional fate by August.
Dozens of elementary school students are trying to save their teacher's job by battling budget cuts with basketball.
At St. Therese, students are shooting baskets and raising bucks with one goal in mind: "So you can keep Ms. Elliott at the school," in the words of student Henry Nichols.
Thyra Elliott, the physical education teacher who regularly roots them on, is losing the job she loves for one reason.
"Money," said principal Eileen Gray. "We're a private school, and the numbers are down in this tough economy."
But the kids aren't ready to throw in the towel just yet. With each basket, the kids raises pledge money toward Elliott's salary.
"I'm gonna make ten shots for Ms. Elliott," said student Lossitiah Welch.
For Elliott, just watching their efforts is touching, regardless of the final results.
"It's just so amazing that they'd feel this way about their PE teacher. I'm not their classroom teacher. It's great. I love'em," she said. "They showed me they loved me, and I'll be around."
But Elliott isn't just their PE teacher. She also runs the library, teaches religion, holds before- and after-school programs. She's also the the student council advisor. And for 25 years, she worked as a substitute teacher at the school.
The students need to raise $23,000 in order for the school to have Elliott employed on a part-time basis with benefits this fall.
"In so many ways, Thyra Elliot is the heart and soul of this school," said Elieen Gray.
Like the rings on a tree tell its age, Elliot's key ring reveals her stay at St. Therese. She can open just about every door at the school.
School wouldn't sound the same without Elliott. Because for one, she whistles like no other. Other teachers have tried copying her whistle technique, but none have quite mastered her sound.
Elliott will learn her professional fate by August.