Josh Edens and Dana Turney
Posted on 10/20/2020
Josh Edens and Dana Turney

Today’s #HCSHeroes Spotlight is Josh Edens and Dana Turney, comprehensive development teachers at Orchard Knob Middle School. Mr. Edens and Mrs. Turney have worked together to ensure our students with the highest needs are supported this school year.


“Mr. Edens and Mrs. Turney are truly HCS Heroes!” said Tonya Turman, parent volunteer coordinator at Orchard Knob Middle School. “They have made packet pickups for parents to assist their children, home visits, and they have delivered materials and other resources to families just to say we appreciate the parent support and the opportunity to teach your student.”


In addition to creating resources to support families, Mr. Edens and Mrs. Turney have implemented a new communication tool that translates messages into more than 100 different languages for families that do not speak English. The pair is also using new online tools to better reach and provide accommodations and modifications for students who are learning at home.


Having a passion for high-needs students isn’t the only thing Mr. Edens and Mrs. Turney have in common, they also share a love of connecting with their students. “My favorite part of my job is all the little moments that happen throughout a school day, whether it be a student who pops their head into your room just to say ‘hi’, a student suddenly understanding a concept they have worked hard to learn, or just the smile a student or parent has when they know our school has their back and is there for them,” said. Mr. Edens.


Mrs. Turney adds, “The favorite part of my job is watching my students have those ‘aha’ moments and watching them become confident in their academic abilities. I feel blessed to be working in this district and helping students become productive citizens.”


The efforts of our teachers and staff are truly heroic, and we are proud to have people like Mr. Edens and Mrs. Turney on our team to support our students!


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