A Thomas County Central High School educator has received recognition from a prestigious university via a former student’s recommendation.
Math teacher Darrin Minns said he was quite surprised when he received notification this week he’s been selected as a recipient of the 2015 Yale Educator Award.
“It’s an honor,” Minns said of his selection. “I appreciate this recognition by Yale.”
This year, according to the Yale University press release, there were 276 nominees who represented 40 states and 15 countries. Of this number, 51 teachers and 28 counselors were selected.
The award is sponsored by the Yale Office of Undergraduate Admissions. According to the award letter Minns received, it “recognizes educators from around the world who inspire and support their students to perform at high levels and to achieve excellence.”
Incoming Yale students were asked to nominate educators who “deeply impacted their lives.”
TCCHS Class of 2015 graduate Justin Knapp is entering the Yale Class of 2019. He nominated Minns, and the teacher was chosen by a committee in the Yale Office of Undergraduate Admissions.
“Teachers like Mr. Minns are the reason I am where I am today,” Knapp said. “He doesn’t do it for awards like this but because he simply loves interacting with students and helping them reach their goals. Teachers like him, however, deserve to be recognized for how they have impacted the lives of so many students.”
The educator said, in his 15 years of teaching, Knapp was “the most dedicated and inquisitive student I’ve ever taught.” He taught Knapp AP Statistics and PreCalculus, and Knapp was a member of the TCCHS Math Team.
“Justin was a wonderful student to teach, and it is an honor for him to recommend me for this award,” Minns said.
Minns received an engraved desk set, which has a place of honor in his classroom. He said this recognition helps motivate him to keep going.
“This recognition validates the job I’m doing and pushes me to be the best teacher I can be to help my students be the best they can be,” Minns said.