CLARKSTON, WA - Pacific Empire Radio and Alliance Title and Escrow had the opportunity to present Mark Hoffman, from Clarkston High School, with Teacher of the Month.
Mr. Hoffman was awarded a certificate of achievement from Alliance Title and Escrow, a personalized stamp from Printcraft Printing, a $50 gift certificate to A&B Family Foods stores, $50.00 gift certificate to McDonald’s of the Valley, $100 gas card from Nez Perce Express, and a frozen yogurt party for the classroom to celebrate courtesy of Spot on Yogurt!
Lewiston, Lapwai, Asotin, and Clarkston School Districts are the schools participating in the Teacher of the Month program. If you would like to nominate a teacher from one of these school districts, a nomination form can be filled out on DailyFly.com. One teacher will be chosen each month based on nomination letters received through Dailyfly.com
Here is the letter of nomination that was received for Mr. Hoffman:
“I am a junior at CHS, I have known Mr. Hoffman since my Freshman year. Not knowing how the school works yet, Hoffman was my adviser. My 1st year in high school was hard; I was facing a lot of family problems, as well as a suspension. With my grades plummeting down hill, Hoffman gave me reassurance on life’s better plans, and great advice that I still hold dear to my heart. Sophomore year came around and the only staff member I was excited to see was Hoff Dawg. His high fives and knuckles through the halls is what I missed most over that summer. By the middle of my 10th grade year, my home life went completely upside down. Struggling with a house to live in, and getting up to go to school. However, I also seemed to make it with a fake smile, and my head held high. But Hoffman knew me way to well, starting asking questions and sent out an email to our school counselor for help. And let me tell you what, not only did it help me mentally but there was an improvement in my grades. I knew my junior year would be nothing like the other two years. And I was right, I was moved out of Hoffman’s adviser because I was starting the program AVID. Let’s just say Hoff was just as sad as I was. But the good news is that he was my teacher for APUSH. As we rejoiced in the fact that his "Hook" wasn’t completely leaving him, our bond grew into a friendship. He is always making sure I am doing okay, and asks about my mom and little sister (Baby Hook) than this good hearted man, nominated me for the "Hard Work Cafe" an award you can only get once in your high school career. He had my eyes all watery, and as I go to thank him later at our meet. He gives me a big hug and says, "No thank you for being you kid, you deserve it." But it doesn’t stop there, the simplicity of the fact that after that track meet, I didn’t have money for food. I decided to stay on the bus and eat my lovely gold fish. My Sprinter coach made it a point that coaches get free food. So as I go to get my drink, the one and only Hoff Dawg pulls me aside. Little was said, but enough to know that I never had to worry about money after a track meet again. The little things like the high fives and a simple how are you? Or the Horrible yet somehow funny history jokes, makes Hoff who he is as a teacher caring for his students as if they were his children. And it’s the fact that he is so simple yet powerful in the words he speaks that truly inspires me. CHS staff members have been a huge support in my life changing events. If I could I would nominate them all , However; Hoff has been there since the beginning. The least I can do is nominate him for this award that he deserves, just as he nominated me for mine. Hoffman has inspired me to be a better student, a better peer, a better team mate, and a better person. And I would love to show him how big of an impact he has had on me.”
To view a video of this month’s Teacher of the Month awards assembly click here: https://youtu.be/KWuCUYOQgvY