Maryland (DC News Now) – This week is Teacher Appreciation Week, and the University of Maryland (UMD) School of Education is pulling out all the stops.
Not only to celebrate the teachers, but also to surprise them, UMD presented several graduates with checks worth $1,000.
The selected teachers were Jamie Amaya from International High School, Pedro Gonzalez from Samuel Ogle Middle School, and Alexis Cutler from Tyler Heights Elementary School.
The rest of the school didn't think this was a surprise, since Ms. Cutler was her school's “Teacher of the Year” nominee last year. But she was for her.
She was greeted in the middle of class with a UMD fight song, balloons, and a gift basket.
“Honestly, this is the best class interruption ever,” Cutler said.
When the students realized what was going on, they couldn't help but get excited for their favorite teacher.
“She feeds us snacks!” one student exclaimed.
“You know every day is hard, it's always different, but things like this happen.” [and] It just reiterates the passion and how we can help our students,” Cutler continued.
While Cutler loved surprises, Pedro Gonzalez of Samuel Ogle Middle School wasn't so much a fan.
“My best friends know I hate surprises,” he quipped. “Do you want me to cry in front of your children?” he continued, fighting back tears.
Mr. Gonzalez knows about hardship and coaching. He needed knee surgery last year, which he had to overcome in order to continue his coaching.
“To be recognized for this position…is unbelievable,” Gonzalez said.
His students are older than Cutler's students, but this time they also signed autographs and were still rooting for him.
“They were known as really thoughtful, excellent teachers who were really generous with their time and invested a lot of effort into their students and the school,” said Kimberly Griffin, dean of UMD's School of Education. .
Both educators plan to use the funds for classroom supplies and anything else for the children.