OBSERVER Photo by Braden Carmen Silver Creek teacher Anne Tahamont, left, was recognized at a recent Board of Education meeting by Superintendent Dr. Katie Ralston, right, for her efforts with the district’s Seneca language and culture courses.

SILVER CREEK — Just before Silver Creek’s high school graduation, the district recognized one of its teachers who helped students get there. Anne Tahamont was celebrated at a recent Silver Creek Board of Education meeting for her efforts in supporting students as a Seneca Language and Culture Teacher.

Tahamont has played a major role in the Seal of Biliteracy program at Silver Creek. At a previous meeting, she spoke to the accomplishments of the district’s four graduates of the program — Karissa Buchanan, Travis Brennan, Alexander Karnes, and Trenton Logan, who earned his seal in the Seneca Language.

“That has to stem from somewhere, and the work continues because of someone who stays focused on it and is persistent about what our students deserve, what our community deserves. Anne has been that person,” Superintendent Dr. Katie Ralston said.

The district has received attention from the New York State Department of Education for its efforts to promote the Seneca language and culture throughout the school. The state has expressed an interest in partnering with Silver Creek’s Ella Austin for a land acknowledgment at the state level after Austin created land acknowledgments for the district as part of her studies. Representatives from the state also visited Silver Creek to witness a cooking lesson to highlight indigenous culture, which Ralston said left a lasting impression.

Tahamont has been an employee at Silver Creek for 20 years – four of which were through an agreement with the Seneca Nation.

“The Board has always been supportive of everything that I’ve asked for,” Tahamont said.

Tahamont has taught at all levels in the district and referenced how much change she has witnessed in administration over the past two decades. She joked that she struggled to stay focused during welcome speeches from each new administrator, but when it came to Ralston’s first impression, she knew she had to step it up.

“There was this energy that you brought, and I knew that I was going to be held accountable,” Tahamont said to Ralston.

Tahamont also referenced the cooking lessons that the state representatives witnessed earlier this year. Witnessing her students cooking, cutting wood, and interacting with others, Tahamont was brought to tears. She said, “It’s finally happening after 20 years. I’m just thankful.”

Ralston presented Tahamont with a shirt with a quote about hope, which she felt was fitting because of the hope Tahamont inspires in the district’s quest to becoming one of the leaders in the state regarding Seneca language and culture representation.

“Thank you for being that person; thank you for being a champion; thank you for igniting the hope,” Ralston said.