Andrew Walter, who teaches Math at Alonzo Stagg High School in Stockton, CA, was nominated by a young woman who never believed she would make it out of high school. Today she attends the University of Pacific, with a major in Engineering Management. She wrote, “I didn’t want to be anywhere, especially in school. There was no one at home who cared for me or about me, or what I did. I had no interest in school. Mr. Walter took an interest in me. He saw something in me no one else had. He stabilized me. He helped me focus, which made me better able to handle the stress from my family and living conditions. He constantly re-assured me I was capable of succeeding in college. He listened to me and never judged me for where I came from. I really have to thank him for where I am today. He is different from any teacher I ever had. He truly deeply cares for his students and won’t let anyone get out of his class without learning.”
-Published 2008
