Both Keith and Cindy taught at TK Schools. Fellow teachers Gordy Dahlgren and Karen Seifert told guests about their lifelong friends and fellow professionals. “Keith is always happy to help someone and always encouraged students to help others. What happened in his classroom was just the beginning of the impact he had on students. Keith and Cindy make a great team.”
Karen Seifert spoke about her work with Cindy at McFall Elementary. “She always considered the question, “is this best for kids,” while making her decisions. “She is the epitome of a hometown hero.”
To a standing ovation, the Middlebushes rose to the podium to accept the award. “We’re grateful especially for the support of TK schools, our teachers, our students and there's no doubt that this foundation has been life-changing for our community. We have worked alongside some of the very best of public educators and we thank each of you for lifting us up and or supporting us,” said Cindy with Keith standing beside her at the podium.
“Keith and I tried to give our very best to TK. Sunday nights were filled with lesson plans and laundry. We sorted our clothes under three piles - orange, black, and the whites. But the best thing we gave to TK was our daughter, Cary Middlebush Saxton. We are extremely proud of the educator she has become. We are so grateful for her, her husband Curt, and their boys Charlie and Pete. May the tradition continue.”
The Middlebush’s daughter, Cary, now teaches English at the high school and gave the guests at the dinner a little insight to her parents. “So I was the lucky child of the Middlebushes who got to be supported tirelessly, constantly, and literally still to this day by these people as a student, athlete, and as a daughter. I’ve seen what goes on behind the scenes in their heroic lives and it is much tedious hard work and sacrifice,” said Saxton.
“You know, it’s hours and weeks and weekends all adding up to years of time that they have given to the people of this community. They were passionate, thoughtful educators who chose to make supporting the youth of Middleville as their life’s work.”
Keith taught from 1962-1967 and again from 1974-2005. He was part of a team to help transition from a junior high model to an integrative middle school concept of teaching. Cindy is a 1978 TK grad and a TK teacher for 25 years. She taught in the resource rooms at the elementary schools and was a literacy coach and reading specialist. She also started the “Book Bug” summer reading program driving around in her Volkswagen Beetle to make sure students had books to read and is now a founding member and historian for the Thornapple Kellogg Alumni Association.
Both Keith and Cindy also served as TK coaches. Cindy coached varsity volleyball from 1989-2003. Keith coached football, volleyball, basketball, track, and cross country. He helped implement the girls’ cross country program. He also started the Middleville Track Club. In 1984, he was voted runner-up Michigan Track Coach of the Year.
“I can say that they were the first and greatest teachers I ever had and… the greatest teachers of teaching that I’ve ever had. I’m constantly thinking in my classroom, ‘What would my mom and dad do in this situation,’” Cary said.
She talked about a Bette Midler song, “Wind Beneath My Wings,” in which Midler is singing to a person who is her hero and how that person helped lift them up to be the person they are today.
“So, to my parents, I would just like to say, on behalf of the hundreds of thousands of eagles you’ve helped learn to fly, thank you for choosing to be the wind beneath our wings," said Saxton.
The Middlebush’s selected the Thornapple Kellogg Alumni Association as their charity of choice for the year. Cindy is one of the founding members of the organization and serves as historian of the group. Current TKAA President Karen Kennedy said the organization now awards two scholarships each year to seniors, gives $100 to each new elementary teacher for classroom needs, and has established a high school yearbook fund to help any student be able to purchase a yearbook.