After giving her class independent work time, Emily Thompson, French teacher, watched as people began to pour into her room with balloons.
Thompson said she thought one of her students had won an award. She was then surprised when she realized she was being presented with the MHS Community Award.
This is the second year the MHS Community Awards have taken place, and Thompson was one of two recipients this year. The other recipient was Stephanie Merritt, ISS teacher.
The MHS Community Awards was created to recognize individuals who go above and beyond in all levels of MHS: students, staff, parents, volunteers and other community members.
“It was really confirmation of, ‘you’re doing exactly what you hoped you would do’,” Thompson said.
Being the sponsor of PRISMA and the Geography Club as well as being involved with different activities with other teachers, Thompson said she strives to form relationships with not only students, but parents as well.
“I do want to connect with the community as much as I can, wherever I work, so it was nice to have that work recognized,” Thompson said.
Landon Lawhorn, junior, participates in Geography Club. Lawhorn said Thompson makes sure Geography Club is organized while still making everyone feel welcomed.
“I think it’s really important that she got recognized for this just because she is such a kind soul and we do need teachers like that at Marquette,” Lawhorn said. “People still go through hard times whether you’re an adult or a teenager, so it’s important to just feel recognized.”
Lawhorn has only known Thompson through Geography Club, where he was introduced to her by some of his friends.
“She actually treats you like you’re a person, not just a student,” Lawhorn said.
On Thursday, May 8, Merritt received her award while three students were working in her room. Administrators and MPO members presented Merritt with the award and balloons, which she still has up in her classroom.
Rachel Pereira, MPO president, spoke to Merritt about some of the comments students and staff made about Merritt in their nominations.
“She gave tons of accolades and even made comments like ‘We had a record number of nominations for you, and people who didn’t even know you want to meet you’,” Merritt said. “Those types of things keep you motivated to remain in education even when the scene is tiresome.”
Jessica Hutchings, science teacher, nominated Merritt for the award. When Merritt told her students this, she said her students made it their mission to nominate Merritt as well.
“My kids are like my extended family,” Merritt said. “A whole child is really molded and mentored and championed, it’s a population of students that I feel are underserved and undervalued. So that’s why they’re my kids.”
Merritt said she works to model appropriate behavior for her students, and she runs her classroom like she runs her household, by being a disciplinarian as well as adding an educational piece.
“They have a place of belonging, and then their hearts and minds open up to receiving academics,” Merritt said.
