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Five Milwaukee Public School graduating seniors honored the outstanding teachers who helped shaped their lives at the Milwaukee Teachers' Education Association (MTEA) 23rd Annual Retiree Recognition Dinner Tuesday, June 5, 2007.
The students were presented with scholarships they received based on academics, leadership, and a one-page essay they wrote about the teacher who had the most impact on their lives. The MTEA's $1,000 Harold S. Vincent Scholarships will help pay for their continuing education. The scholarship is named for the MPS superintendent who served from 1950 to 1967.
Anthony Allen, graduating from Bradley Technology and Trade High School , honored high school teacher Mark Spoerk. He wrote:
"You hear about teachers changing their students' lives just by the way they teach. Mr. Spoerk is one of those teachers. He has the potential to change the life of every student that attends his classes. . . Mr. Spoerk strives to teach even those that reject him."
Porchia King, graduating from Rufus King IB High School , wrote about teacher Tirshatha Wilson in her essay. The two connected at Benjamin Carson Academy , and now Wilson teaches at Starms Discovery Learning Center . In her essay, King wrote:
"She is more than a teacher. She has been a friend, a counselor, and a mentor. She is the most unselfish person I have ever met. From day one, she has been devoted to helping me to succeed. What more could I ask for?"
Katlin Schneider, graduating from Milwaukee High School of the Arts, expressed her gratitude to Bill Jackson, who teaches at the school. She wrote:
"My favorite teacher is over six feet tall, taught dance aerobics in Chicago during the 1970s, and fan-kicked over Mickey Rooney's head. I am not joking. He is Bill Jackson and he was my hero during sophomore year. Jackson taught Creative Writing, but his most important lessons related to life and humanity."
Mee Thao, graduating from Madison University High School, honored high school teacher and tennis coach Keith Mayer in her essay, saying:
"Mr. Mayer has helped me not only on the court and in class, but he has inspired me to pursue a career in teaching that will truly reward me in life."
Alma Trujillo, graduating from South Division High School, expressed her thanks to South Division teacher Rocio Santa. Trujillo wrote:
"In addition to facing high school challenged with limited English, I was a foster child with no family in the U.S. to help me. . . Who would help me? [It was then] when Ms. Rocio Santa came in my life. . . She proposed that I live with her until I graduated from high school. I could not believe she was so caring and willing to love me and let me live with her. . . Thanks to her I will graduate this June."
Students were invited to read their essays aloud during the ceremony, and a framed copy of each essay was presented to the teachers they honored.
More than 100 educators attended, all of whom were honored for their commitment to the education of thousands of Milwaukee children. The MTEA represents more than 8,000 teachers and other education professionals working in Milwaukee Public Schools.
Posted June 5, 2007