Champion Teacher Award

 

Each year, the Pike Township Educational Foundation accepts letters of nomination for the “Champion Teacher.” The award winner must exemplify excellence in education by motivating and inspiring Pike students to exceed their goals. One-page letters of nomination are accepted from Pike students and/or parents, and are due in April. The Champion Teacher Award winner is presented with a special gift and a check at the annual Celebrations Teacher Awards Banquet.

Recipients of the Champion Teacher Award

  • 2011/12 Champion Teacher Award Recipient

    Congratulations to the 2011/12 PTEF Champion Teacher Award recipient, Andrew Strainbrook, who joins a long list of distinguished Pike teachers who have received this award in previous years! Mr. Stainbrook was presented the award along with a $500 check at the Celebrations Teachers Award Banquet.

    Nomination Letters

    Eleven students wrote us to nominate Mr. Stainbrook. Here are two of the nomination letters we received:

    Dear Mr. Stainbrook,

    It is difficult to put down in words the impact you have on students. You have a way of motivating kids to be more than they are. You push them, and you don’t give up on them. I have never seen a teacher put so much passion into a job.

    Over the years, I have experienced numerous remarkable events that I will look to in order to define my high school experience. Nearly all of these cherished moments occurred in a choir directed by you. The bonds you help create between students is extraordinary. Kids that would never speak to one another, that socialize in different circles, they come together and form a loving and powerful community. The three years I have spent in your choirs have truly changed my life for the better. It is given that a choir teacher is going to teach his students how to sing and how to perform. That is what a choir teacher does. What you do is so much more. You look beyond the classroom walls, and you teach students how to be people, loving, compassionate, and conscientious people. You demand that your students hold themselves to a higher standard. You expect more out of us, so we expect more out of ourselves. Your motivation and your belief in your students gives them the confidence and the ability to become better than what they are. You have created an environment in which students can come and feel a part of something, giving us all a sense of belonging. We laugh together. We cry together. We suffer together. You have created a family full of the most talented people I know. These driven kids have surrounded me for the past three years pushing me to be everything I can be. I have pushed myself, as a result, and have developed into a stronger person.

    I have changed a lot over my years at Pike; however, one thing has always remained constant. I can always depend on the support and advice that you offer and share with each of your students. In nearly any situation, you make yourself available to your students. Students have an abundance of respect for you, and, as a result, have to utmost respect for the advice you give to students in need. Whether it is a dropping GPA or a more personal problem at home, you help lend yourself to the situation, doing everything in your power to be the help that we need. You help make so many children’s education a success just because you have the caring and support that each student needs.

    I have now had you as a teacher and a mentor for three years, and I don’t think any amount of time will make my amazement go away. You have changed kids’ lives. Children have graduated as a result from you not giving up on them. I have friends that I will have for the rest of my life because of the community you have developed in your classroom. You make all the difference in our lives, and that is why I am nominating you for the Champion Teacher Award. You deserve this recognition of your talents and your passion more than any other educator I know. Thank you for being an amazing inspiration in my life.

    I have known Mr.Stainbrook since my freshman year. He honestly has saved my life by making me care about school and succeeding, not just in choir but in life period. I used to think I wasn’t worth much and he gave me the confidence to be more than what I was putting out in the world. Mr. Stainbrook taught me to exist, not just be there. I honestly would not be graduating if it wasn’t for his support and push. He is the smartest adult I have ever met. This man is truly a genius and such an inspiring person. I strive to be great and inspirational like him when I grow up. He has been the closest thing to a father figure I’ve had since I started middle school. He deserves this award more than anyone. Mr. Stainbrook truly is a champion.

    Champion Teacher Award Recipients
    Year Recipient School
    1993/94 Twyla Pitman EES
    1994/95 Jan Shade ECES
    1995/96 David Petermann GCMS
    1996/97 Debi Blake CES
    1997/98 Elly Johnston EES
    1998/99 Polly Kitt DRES
    1999/00 Connie Plankenhorn NASC
    2000/01 Julie Gossard CPES
    2001/02 Calvin E. Ewing, Jr. PHS
    2002/03 Lance A. Minglin LMS
    2003/04 John Dorsey PHS
    2004/05 Tena Plewa NANC
    2005/06 Harry Mamlin ECES
    2006/07 Virginia (Ginny) Allen GCES
    2007/08 Jeffrey Burchfield PHS
    2008/09 Christine Vetter EES
    2009/10 Kendra Champion PHS
    2010/11 Christina Hicks SCES
    2011/12 Andrew Stainbrook PHS

Past Recipients

Nominate Your Champion

A way to recognize a truly superb Pike teacher!

The Pike Township Educational Foundation is now accepting letters of nomination for the Champion Teacher. The award winner must exemplify excellence in education by motivating and inspiring Pike students to exceed their goals. Letters of nomination will be accepted from Pike students and/or parents. Please submit a one page nomination letter to:

Pike Township Educational Foundation
Champion Teacher Award Program
6901 Zionsville Road
Indianapolis, IN 46268

You may also nominate a Champion Teacher online by filling out the form at the bottom of the page. Please call 387-2542 or e-mail for more information.

Upcoming Champion Teacher Nomination Deadline

Not scheduled yet.

Online Champion Teacher Award Nomination

The deadline for Champion Teacher Award nominations has passed for this school year.

CHAMPION TEACHER AWARD NOMINATION

All fields are required.

Your Name:

Your E-mail Address:

Your Street:

Your City / State / Zip:

Your Phone Number:

Name of Educator:

Name of Student:

School Name:

Nomination Letter:

Enter code:

captcha

© 2011 Pike Township Educational Foundation