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

Fall 2011/12 Grants Awarded ($1,354.12 awarded)

• Reading with a Critical Eye Across a Series using Readers Workshop
  Recipient: Krista Clanin
  Building: NAN
  Amount Awarded: $1000.00
  -
   
• Keeping the Wiggles Under Control
  Recipient: Martie Hoofer
  Building: GCMS
  Amount Awarded: $354.12
  -
   

Spring 2011/12 Grants Awarded ($11,872.78 awarded)

• Ipad Accessories for Life skills
  Recipient: Joanna Miller
  Building: PHS
  Amount Awarded: $513.15
  -
   
• Going Digital
  Recipient: Tammie Buchanan
  Building: FCPA
  Amount Awarded: $2,000.00
  -
   
• Yearn to Learn
  Recipient: Michelle Spence
  Building: CES
  Amount Awarded: $1,985.00
  -
   
• Welcome to the Library
  Recipient: Kristin Marley
  Building: CPES
  Amount Awarded: $1,250.60
  -
   
• Game on Strategy Club
  Recipient: Debbie Huffine and Elizabeth West
  Building: SCES
  Amount Awarded: $1,163.00
  -
   
• Literacy in the Loft
  Recipient: Breck Mosley and Karen Kennedy
  Building: CES
  Amount Awarded: $2,000.00
  -
   
• Solar Car Spectacular
  Recipient: Stacy Schurtz
  Building: NAN
  Amount Awarded: $961.35
  -
   
• Reading in 2012 and Beyond
  Recipient: Kathie Dowell
  Building: NAN
  Amount Awarded: $1,999.68
  -
   

2011/12 Other Grants Awarded ($10,000.00 awarded)

• DonorsChoose
  The PTEF has placed $10,000.00 into the DonorsChoose.org Double Your Impact program where individuals can donate to specific projects submitted by Pike teachers and the PTEF will double the donation.
   

Please send in your nomination letters for the Champion Teacher Award. The award winner from nominations turned in by April 20th will be presented with a special gift and a check during the Celebrations Teacher Award Banquet. Nominations can be submitted online.

» Champion Teachers Award information and online nomination form

The Educator Honor Roll program lets you thank your favorite Pike employees for the jobs they do each day by making donations to the PTEF in their honor. Register your favorite educators or other Pike employees by April 20th and they will be notified during teacher appreciation week. You can register for the Educator Honor Roll online.

» Educator Honor Roll information and online registration form

The Pike’s Greatest Students program is a way for parents, grandparents, and relatives to tell their Pike student why they think he or she is Pike’s greatest student, and to help support the PTEF at the same time. Please have your Pike’s Greatest Students information turned in by April 20th in order to have your student’s gift delivered during the Spring semester. You can register for Pike’s Greatest Students online.

» Pike’s Greatest Students information and online registration form

Please join us on February 18, 2012 for our annual Treasures for Education Dinner and Auction at the Crown Plaza at Union Station!

More information »

» Apply for a grant online
» Apply for a scholarship online