Four teachers who combine a passion for hockey, the environment and dedication to their students are finalists for the Future Goals Most Valuable Teacher of the Year presented by SAP.
Michael S. Casella (New Jersey Devils) of East Amwell Township School in Ringoes, New Jersey; Jen Cook (Chicago Blackhawks) of Momence Junior High School in Momence, Illinois; Sandra Metzger (Philadelphia Flyers) of Charles Boehm Middle School in Yardley, Pennsylvania; and Nicholas Penberthy (Buffalo Sabres) of Pinehurst Elementary School in Hamburg, New York, are finalists after they were voted Future Goals Most Valuable Teacher of the Month presented by SAP during the past four months.
They were chosen by fans from among 20 teachers per month (January-April) across North America who have used the Future Goals Hockey Scholar program and received a $10,000 donation from SAP towards Environmental Sustainability Resources for their school districts.
The program, in its fourth year with EVERFI, a leading social impact education innovator, is a partnership with the NHL, NHL Players' Association and presented by SAP to honor teachers for their contributions in the classroom and for the important role they play in their students' lives.
In line with NHL Green's ongoing commitment to promote green business practices, and SAP's global efforts to help its partners and customers drive sustainable change, the overall winner will receive an additional $20,000 donation from SAP toward Environmental Sustainability Resources for their school districts.
Fans can go to NHL.com/MVT through Friday to vote for the Future Goals Most Valuable Teacher of the Year presented by SAP.
The finalists said they were surprised and humbled when they learned they were voted Future Goals Most Valuable Teacher of the Month presented by SAP.
Penberthy, a fifth-grade teacher, said he knew something was up when he walked into an assembly in Pinehurst Elementary's gym and saw a phalanx of family, friends and Sabretooth, the Sabres mascot, waiting to honor him for being February's winner.
"It's a true recognition of the amazing faculty and administration in the Frontier Central School District and especially at Pinehurst Elementary School," he said. "We had such a fun day celebrating, and the students and the school community alike were so excited about the award."
Penberthy said he hopes to apply his district's $10,000 prize to replace some of the school's older water fountains with new ones that include water bottle fillers, and maybe buy all students refillable water bottles that would cut down on the amount of single-use plastic bottles.
"If we were to win the additional $20,000," he said, "my ideas include getting some solar-powered charging benches/tables or put in an eco-friendly construction play pad next or our playground to allow for games like 4-square or Gaga Ball to be played."
