For Montpelier biology teacher, a $25,000 surprise
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JEB WALLACE-BRODEUR/TIMES ARGUS |
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By SUSAN ALLEN TIMES ARGUS STAFF - Published: October 10, 2009
MONTPELIER – In a moving ceremony Friday that was a surprise to students and faculty alike at Montpelier High School, Gov. James Douglas presented MHS biology teacher Tom Sabo a $25,000 check as Vermont's winner of the Milken Family Foundation National Educator Awards.
Winding his way through the auditorium from his seat near the back of the room, with kids standing, applauding and shouting, "We love you, Mr. Sabo," the teacher – who is young enough to be mistaken for a student – took the stage, looked at an oversized version of the check and muttered, "Wow."
"That's a lot of money," a stunned Sabo said, taking the podium before a crowd that included not only students and faculty, but Vermont Education Commissioner Armando Vilaseca, the Montpelier School Board, a member of the Vermont State Board of Education, Montpelier city officials and Mayor Mary Hooper, and other dignitaries.
"I look around the room and there are incredible teachers here," Sabo told the crowd. "It is a privilege working with everyone here and the students and the community here."
Afterwards, he laughed at his appearance for the award – wearing a long-sleeved T-shirt, chinos and sneakers. He joked that he even had "strings hanging from my shirt."
MHS Principal Peter Evans said Sabo deserved the recognition. Evans said Sabo was passionate about his work with the students, but "humble and unassuming to an absolute fault."
Sabo has focused on environmental programs with the students, including launching a solar greenhouse where students grow vegetables for the school salad bar, as well as study recycling and composting. Evans said it's not unusual to find students in the greenhouse before school, picking their harvest, then watching them eat their produce at lunch, and recycle and compost the leftovers.
"He helps kids see the cycle that is life," Evans said.
He said students from other schools have visited MHS to observe Sabo's efforts and gone back to their own schools to start environmental programs.
"You can see the respect kids have for him," Evans said. "He is respectful of them."
The event was clearly fun for the MHS community. Students were called to the auditorium over the loudspeaker after their second band, filed in and took seats in the auditorium, avoiding the front few rows that held the dignitaries and other adults. The kids were happy to be out of class, but curious about the occasion.
"We've been pretty mysterious about this, but in the next 15 minutes you'll find out what this is all about," Evans told the crowd as the chatter quieted, before introducing the VIPs and the next speaker, Vilaseca.
"You are the most important people here, by the way," the commissioner said to applause. He noted that he was an immigrant who arrived in the United States not speaking English, but had become an education commissioner. "We've all had teachers in our lives who have made a difference. Don't let anyone hold you back from your dreams."
He said the Milken Family Foundation honors teachers for their quality work.
"This is Vermont's version of the Academy Awards," he quipped. How much would the winner receive, he teased? Several students stood on the stage with signs announcing the $25,000 jackpot. "Now we're talking," Vilaseca said.
Douglas, who was allowed to announce the winner, joke56
d with the students, saying "I guess we don't want to keep you out of class too much longer, do we?" The kids shouted for the governor to keep talking. "I could give you my budget address, I guess," he said.
He then announced the winner as Sabo, who was instantly mobbed by students as he tried to slide out of his row and make his way down the aisle and onto the stage.
Sabo said he has enjoyed teaching biology and particularly focusing on environmental and sustainability projects. He meant to stay at MHS for about five years, but has been happy with the community where "we still see we're making progress."
And here he is.
"Thirteen years later," Sabo said.
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