Over 12 years, students’ minds are shaped and molded by teachers, influencing who they grow into and become as adults.
To honor their educators, a group of 24 seniors from the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, will recognize their most influential teachers, Sunday, April 13.
“Teachers should be recognized because teachers do a lot of work and go unrecognized for it,” Arvada West senior Chase Haymond said. “She [his fifth-grade teacher] should be recognized for her work, she really helped me out.”
Started around 15 years ago, organizer and Denver-metro Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints Stake President, Michael Jones, said the event was a way to reach out and honor their students’ educators.
“With our educators, we wanted to reach out and recognize the people who teach our youth,” he said. “We have Outdoor Lab, elementary, high school, sports teachers honored; they’re diverse in what they do but always have an impact.”
Every year a committee reaches out to all the senior students throughout the stake’s eight wards, or congregations, and asks them to think about and select their favorite teacher, one who has made an impact or played a role in their life.
After gathering the nominations, the committee notifies nominated teachers and invites them to the celebration, where each student will have the opportunity to share the moment with their teacher.
“She was one of the first teachers who showed that I have potential as a student,” Haymond said.
Beginning at 7 p.m., students will stand up, in front of families, friends and peers and tell their teachers how they’ve made an impact on their lives and in the community.
“It’s always an honor to be nominated by a student who feels you’ve made a difference for them,” said Jeff Talley, Ralston Valley High School’s music teacher.
The event is open to the public and will be held at 7 p.m., Sunday, April 13, at the Arvada Stake Center, 7080 Independence St.
“It’s a tremendous tradition we look forward to continuing,” Jones said. “We get to show support for the teachers and appreciate what they do.”