Teacher inspires students to help flood victims

SCOTTSDALE - The Scottsdale Unified School District is highlighting Desert Mountain High School service learning and English teacher Sara Teller.

Here's what Service Learning Coordinator Julie Gieringer had to say about her:

Desert Mountain High School students are learning about geography, business, tragedy and service without a lecture or textbook. In response to the recent flood in her hometown of Munster, Ind., Sara Teller's Desert Mountain High School service learning students began a supply drive to collect necessities for victims, many of whom have been displaced from their homes since Sept. 15. The three classes collected 20 boxes of items and more than $700 in gift cards over a two-week period. When service learning student Erica Ewing told her mother about the supply drive, her mother, who works for US Airways, offered to use her flight benefits to get Sara, herself, her daughter and the 20 boxes of supplies to Munster. They spent their fall break providing compassion, supplies and labor to the people of Munster, and returned to share their positive influence with the rest of the students who contributed to the supply drive. The students plan to continue with fundraising efforts after the trip to help achieve the complete restoration of the city. There is no better testament to the value and success of service programs in high school than to see students initiate, implement and benefit from authentic calls to duty. I am so proud of our students and the habits of mind they continue to develop through great teachers like Sara - ones that inspire students to teach themselves.

Number of years teaching: Four.

Number of years at district: Four.

Number of years at Desert Mountain: Four.

Becky Kelbaugh is a communication support specialist for the Scottsdale Unified School District. To nominate a Scottsdale teacher, log on to susd.org.