June 4, 2015

The Inaugural True North Awards for Inspired Teaching

The intellectual and personal growth that students undergo in primary, middle and high school is critical to how they become who they are. Yet once they graduate high school and come to the University of Washington, their new learning community does not often overlap with the old. In the early evening of April 28, 2015 at the University of Washington in Seattle, those worlds came together for the inaugural True North Awards for Inspired Teaching.

Inspired by Susan Potts, a passionate advocate for the University of Washington and for teachers, the True North Awards—coordinated by Undergraduate Academic Affairs—welcomed UW seniors to reflect on their path to and through the University by nominating a teacher who influenced and inspired them along the way.

Ten teachers across the Puget Sound were ultimately selected for their clear commitment to the success of their students and invited to a reception in Dempsey Hall in Seattle. Seated together at the reception, students and teachers enjoyed dinner and conversation before participating in an emotional ceremony in which each student presented the True North Award and nominating letter to their teacher.

Nominating Kelly West of Kentridge High School, Cassie Petz wrote, “Ms. West taught me so much more than how to pass an AP exam or how to write an analytic essay. She knew what she stood for, she understood her values, and she taught us that being different or standing out was okay.”

“The way she expertly juggled being an educator, a role model and a source of social support pushed me to pursue education, and to focus on the inequities that many minorities face…I undoubtedly would not be graduating from college this spring if it wasn’t for her,” said Johnson Nguyen in his nominating letter for Gretchen Coe of Mercer Middle School.

2015 True North Award Recipients

• Gretchen Coe, Mercer Middle School—nominated by Johnson Nguyen
• David Erich, Franklin High School—nominated by Nancy Huizar
• Dan Hardebeck, Timberline High School—nominated by Ann Huynh
• Dr. Curtis Hisayasu, Robinson Center for Young Scholars—nominated by Jessica Wang
• Jeff Larson, Redmond High School—nominated by Alex Brechner
• Kurt Lauer, Federal Way Public Academy—nominated by Varsha Govindaraju
• Larry Palmer, Lake Stevens High School — nominated by Juliana Borges
• Rob Storrs, Mariner High School—nominated by Tim Han
• Van Wilson, Sumner High School—nominated by Nadine Mortell
• Kelly West, Kentridge High School—nominated by Cassie Petz