Recipient: Gary Chrysler

School: St. Elizabeth Catholic School

Grade: 6

Inspiration/Motivation for being a Teacher of Excellence:

Gary has taught all grades from 2 to 8.  He keeps switching grades because he enjoys change and he likes to know all the ages, what they’re like and where they are going next.  For example, because he knows what grades 7 and 8 are like, he helps pave the way for his grade 6’s.  Gary always inspires his students to go a little higher than their perceived level of ability.  He encourages them to strive for something higher than they think they can attain. 

Gary was an inspiration to one 11 year old whose mother nominated Gary for this year’s award.  She wrote:

“Our 11 year old son had never liked school.  He did the bare minimum to get by, just enough to make it to the important activities…his skateboard, music and red dirt bike.  Then Mr. Chrysler was introduced to my son’s grade 5 class.  We had watched our son “get by” with illegible handwriting and eraser smeared papers and little pride in his work.  I recall picking up one of his workbooks and leafing through it.  I had to look at the front cover for the name on it because it didn’t resemble the scrawl which we had become so accustomed to.  With wide eyes I looked at my son and asked him who wrote in his book.  He said that it was his writing and that Mr. Chrysler expected no less.  Homework is now completed without nagging and sharing stories at the dinner table about the days events is such a pleasure as our son rarely had much to say about school.  Mr. Chrysler makes life real for our kids and makes them feel valuable.”