(Supplied photo)

By rdnewsNOW staff

Title comes with $10,000 technology grant

Eastview Middle School ‘s Jeremy Spink named NHL/NHLPA Most Valuable Teacher

Mar 5, 2021 | 10:43 AM

Eastview Middle School Teacher Jeremy Spink has been named the 2020/21 NHL/NHLPA Most Valuable Teacher presented by SAP (Systems, Applications, and Products in Data Processing) for the month of February.

Spink was one of 20 Future Goals teachers from across North America who were vying for the title. He has won a personalized NHL club jersey and a $10,000 technology grant provided by SAP to help bring Science, Technology, Engineering and Mathematics concepts to life for students.

With the $10,000 grant, Eastview will purchase technology for classrooms that will get into the hands of their students. The school will also look at how to add to and improve programming in their hockey development classes.

Spink is now in the running as a finalist to receive an additional $20,000 for Eastview Middle School, and $1,000 towards a personal technology device to improve the virtual classroom experience. That winner will be announced in May following another round of voting.

“I’m so excited and almost overwhelmed,” said Spink, who is also a minor hockey coach and runs a charity hockey tournament every year to raise money for Melanoma research and other local charities. “I want to say thank you so much to the whole community. It was amazing to see the community rally and help us win.”

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Spink has incorporated the Future Goals – Hockey Scholar program into his classroom, which is designed to leverage STEM in hockey to create a fun and memorable learning experience.

“It is a great program and it all ties right into our curricular goals,” he said. “I am dedicated to teaching applications for STEM because I know that it not only impacts how healthy and productive students are during this time, but also their well-being and success far beyond the K-12 years.”

Eastview Middle School Principal Kevin Robertson said Spink has long been a leader in the school. He is also instrumental in coordinating the hockey program and worked with other teachers in delivering programming to Grades 6-8.

“I am so happy for Mr. Spink that he has been recognized for the work he does in our school. He has had such a positive impact on so many students who are currently at Eastview and who have had him as a teacher or a coach in the past,” said Robertson. “One of the things that I have most appreciated is hearing about the countless past students who have reached out to Mr. Spink as a result of this to thank him for making a difference and for being such a positive role model for them. It is a pretty exciting day for Eastview!”

Chad Erickson, Superintendent of Schools, said Spink’s win is something to be proud of.

“Jeremy has been a teacher with Red Deer Public for 25 years – all of which he has spent teaching at Eastview Middle School,” he said. “We are proud of Jeremy’s dedication to students and ensuring they have the best teaching and learning experiences possible.”

(Red Deer Public Schools)