Educator of the year
Matthew Gradin

It was the first day of 8th grade. I walk into school knowing this would be my last Couple of weeks with my friends, before I move away. All I really expected was to just go to school and get through the day. But that wasn't the case as soon as I walked into room IM08, French class. I noticed my teacher Mr.Gradin, or Mr.G and I know him, standing by the board writing our agenda for the class. I immediately went to go sit down with my friends. The class was very short, about 13 people. But it was less noisy, so it was nice. Every class after that was awesome. I loved his class so much and whenever I had french that day, I thought about nothing else.

It was the second day of classes as I walk into his room, he greets us at the door. He was always a kind and funny teacher. as i walk in the class i take my seat next to my friends again, and I do whats on the board. This class was different. It felt different. a good different. Mr.G was always enthusiastic. Always had a smile on his face. He never really got mad, except for when people were to loud. He always put you in a good mode when you were sad. and always made jokes. He always made the assignments as fun as possible. They were always easy. and we never really had homework. And even though he was only my teacher for a month. He still made an impact on me. He changed me for the better. Ill never forget him.

On my last day of school, before I moved. It was very hard saying goodbye to all my teachers. But saying goodbye to Mr.G was the hardest. He believed in me when i didn't believe in myself. He was simply the best teacher ever. and If you knew him you would agree. Im still in touch with him to this day. He hopes i have met some cool people. but i haven't, at least not as cool as him. On the day i was moving away, i thought my whole world was ending. but that was before i received an email from Mr.G wishing me the best of luck. That was the moment I knew it was going to all be ok. That I was going to be ok. I never had another teacher like him. I dont think anyone will. Mr.G is simply the best teacher out there.

Mr.G Helped me in ways I didn't even know were possible for a teacher to do. He believed in me and I ill be forever grateful. I used to never want to go to school. But whenever i got up in the morning and i knew i had french class. i got excited because it was my favorite class. I do believe the saying that people come into your life for a reason. That was definitely the case. In the end, Mr.G wasn't just a teacher to me. He was more like a friend. The definition of a teacher is: "a person who teaches, especially in a school." But Mr.G was so much more than that. I never thought it was possible to miss a teacher this much. But i will never forget the day that I walked into room IM08 and that my life had changed forever.

Thank you Mr.G.