Inspired Teachers and their Students Honored at Wizards Game
Basketball and education came together on center court Monday, April 13 at the Verizon center when three students from the DC metro area were celebrated along with their inspiring teachers.
Center for Inspired Teaching and the Washington Wizards teamed up to promote an essay contest this spring in which elementary, middle, and high school students were asked to write about how their teachers inspire them. Winning essays were selected from each grade level category and students, and the teachers they wrote about, will be honored at the Wizards’ last home game of the season.
This year’s winners are:
Alexandra Butler, from West Potomac High School in Alexandria, Virginia and her high school math teacher John Glaze who “works with each and every student in order to help them thrive and fully understand the subject.”
Mia De Jesus-Martin, from Stuart-Hobson Middle School in Washington, DC and her sixth grade reading teacher Nzingha Tingling-Clemmons who “with her outgoing personality and her fantastic sense of humor…reaches me every time.”
Armani Noble, from Garrison Elementary School in Washington, DC and her third grade teacher Janice Schuler about whom she says, “having a teacher that cares so much about me is the best thing a smart young child could have.”
Each winner and her teacher received a prize package from the Washington Wizards and Center for Inspired Teaching. All students who entered the contest, and the teachers they wrote about, received free tickets to the game.
“We received nearly 600 essays from DC, Maryland and Virginia. The outpouring from students who wanted to recognize their teachers – was moving and powerful. This contest reaffirms the vital role teachers play in shaping our community,” said Aleta Margolis, executive director of Center for Inspired Teaching.
“It has been a pleasure to participate in a contest that focuses on the positive things teachers are doing in our schools,” said Judy Holland, senior vice president of community relations for the Washington Wizards. “They are unsung heroes, but through their students’ words we’re hearing about the amazing things they do each day.”
Center for Inspired Teaching and the Washington Wizards teamed up to promote an essay contest this spring in which elementary, middle, and high school students were asked to write about how their teachers inspire them. Winning essays were selected from each grade level category and students, and the teachers they wrote about, will be honored at the Wizards’ last home game of the season.
This year’s winners are:
Alexandra Butler, from West Potomac High School in Alexandria, Virginia and her high school math teacher John Glaze who “works with each and every student in order to help them thrive and fully understand the subject.”
Mia De Jesus-Martin, from Stuart-Hobson Middle School in Washington, DC and her sixth grade reading teacher Nzingha Tingling-Clemmons who “with her outgoing personality and her fantastic sense of humor…reaches me every time.”
Armani Noble, from Garrison Elementary School in Washington, DC and her third grade teacher Janice Schuler about whom she says, “having a teacher that cares so much about me is the best thing a smart young child could have.”
Each winner and her teacher received a prize package from the Washington Wizards and Center for Inspired Teaching. All students who entered the contest, and the teachers they wrote about, received free tickets to the game.
“We received nearly 600 essays from DC, Maryland and Virginia. The outpouring from students who wanted to recognize their teachers – was moving and powerful. This contest reaffirms the vital role teachers play in shaping our community,” said Aleta Margolis, executive director of Center for Inspired Teaching.
“It has been a pleasure to participate in a contest that focuses on the positive things teachers are doing in our schools,” said Judy Holland, senior vice president of community relations for the Washington Wizards. “They are unsung heroes, but through their students’ words we’re hearing about the amazing things they do each day.”
Congratulations to all student essayists and their teachers!
Armani Noble age 8, grade 3
Recognizing Ms. Schuler
Garrison Elementary School in Washington, DCHow Does Your Teacher Inspire You?There are so many ways my teacher inspires me. First, my teacher is always there for me. Second, she makes learning fun. Finally, she teaches a lesson in so many ways. My teacher is someone that I know that will always be there when I don’t understand. She’s always happy to put me back on track. My teacher encourages me to do my work so I can be successful. She separates me from negative people and environments. Having a teacher that cares so much about me is the best thing a smart young child could have. She gives us homework so we can have more practice on the lesson we have learned that day. Many other teachers should be like my teacher, then we’ll have a successful life. There is never a time she turns her back when I’m working. She stands behind me to make sure that I understand and I’m grateful to have Mrs. Schuler as my third grade teacher.Mia De Jesus-Martin age 11, grade 6
Recognizing Ms. Tingling-Clemmons
Stuart-Hobson Middle School in Washington, DCA Teacher Who Inspires MeThere are many people in this world who inspire us. Moms, dads, sisters, and others. But the person who inspires me the most is my sixth grade reading teacher, Ms. Tingling-Clemmons. When I first walked into her classroom ... I knew she was going to be an inspiration to me. With her bright smile and gleaming eyes, saying “Let’s get started”, I had a feeling that a wonderful person was about to ... become a major part of my life. In the early part of the school year, she always encouraged me to do my best. ... Over the course of the year she began to [tell] meaningful stories ... All the stories had the same meaning: Be true to yourself and never give up. Ms. Tingling-Clemmons started an activity called Keeva. She selects a topic and as a class, we discuss it. When she introduced this, I was ecstatic. I saw this as a chance for me to learn [more] ... With her outgoing personality and her fantastic sense of humor, she reaches me every time. To me, she is not only my teacher. She is my friend, my inspiration, and my hero.Alexandra Butler age 16, grade 11
Recognizing Mr. Glaze
West Potomac High School in Alexandria, VAInspirationStudents deal with teachers on a daily basis. However, few leave a lasting impact on the students to which they will remember for the rest of their life. One teacher in my education thus far though has made that connection for me. He has inspired me both in the classroom and outside in the world. Math is normally a class many students dread. This teacher, on the other hand, taught me to enjoy math and see the real world connections in each problem. He taught problem solving skills that can be used in any situation. He also pushed me to succeed. While some teachers will give up on a struggling student, he works with each and every student in order to help them thrive and fully understand the subject. This teacher has also been dealing with a difficult situation outside of the classroom. His wife recently passed away due to a longtime disease. Some may give up and take time off, but his dedication to his students showed when he returned back to school a week after her passing. His strength inspires me in everything I do. He is truly a great teacher with the ability to inspire anyone.
Copyright Center for Inspired Teaching and the Washington Wizards 2009
