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Matthew Schiller received a desk set from Yale University.
AWARDS: Yale University gave Mr. Schiller an award of excellence.
By Aysouda Malekzadeh, News Editor
Mathew Schiller, a chemistry teacher at Poly High School, is the 2012 recipient of the Yale Educator Award. The Yale Educator Recognition Program recognizes outstanding educators from around the world who have supported and inspired their students to achieve high levels of accomplishment. After its matriculating students nominate a high school educator, a committee made up of Yale admissions officers review the nominations individually and designate the recipients. In September, the administrators of the high schools were notified of the educator’s achievements. The winners were sent engraved desk sets and congratulatory letters.
This year, 274 educators were nominated, representing 33 states and 12 countries. 50 teachers and 40 counselors were chosen to receive the award; Schiller was one of only two chemistry teachers who received the award this year. Schiller says that he is “honored to be recognized along with other prestigious teachers.” Schiller has been teaching for 12 years, 10 of which have been at Poly. Along with teaching chemistry, he advises Photography Club and is the teacher-coach for the Poly Mock Trial team. In the 2010-2011 year, the Riverside Unified School District also recognized Schiller as Teacher of the Year.
Jeffrey Guo, a 2012 graduate from Poly High School who is now attending Yale University, nominated Schiller for the award. Guo, who was a member of the Poly Mock Trial team, spent countless hours getting to know Schiller. Guo stated that he nominated Schiller because “Schiller was able to handle both teaching chemistry and coaching Mock Trial. And at the same time he stayed calm, nice and even-tempered, which was amazing.” Guo also mentioned that he “respected Schiller for all of his hard work and dedication to the school and especially to the Mock Trial team.”
The administration is very proud and supportive of Schiller for receiving the award. In the 2010-2011 year, the RUSD also recognized Schiller as Teacher of the Year. The staff members had elected Schiller for the RUSD award. Principal Wade Coe said that he is “very excited, pleased and proud of Schiller, though not surprised since Schiller is such an amazing teacher, as are many teachers at Poly.” Coe further added that “the award is an important reminder of the connection that teachers have with their students in class. They support the success of students by helping them with their class work and excellence in school, which allows them to reach their goals.”
Photo by Shelby Clemons/ Poly Spotlight