The Viper Vibe <![CDATA[The Viper Vibe]]> http://my.hsj.org/Portals/2/logos/__TFMF_fig4be55s44qj3552bwjpiv3_47cbebac-86fd-49f5-abda-23875feba596_0___Selected.jpg en-us Copyright 2008 - All Rights Reserved. Sun, 22 Nov 2009 23:12:43 GMT 15 <![CDATA[Social Studies Teacher of the Year: Danny Vinat]]> By Amilynn Soto/Graphics Editor

photo by Jonathan Reyes
Mr. Daniel Vinat was awarded the High School Social Stuies Teacher of the Year by the Miami Dade Council for the Social Studies. He teaches a big age gap with Economics and Government to seniors and World History to freshmen.

After working for seven years, Mr. Daniel Vinat has finally been given an award for his teaching efforts. Mr. Vinat was awarded the High School Social Studies Teacher of the Year by the Miami Dade Council for the Social Studies.     “They look at teacher lesson plans, they look at student work. They look at your involvement in extracurricular activities, in professional organizations and they look at the impact that you have on kids in teaching Social Studies,” he said.     Mr. Vinat became a teacher because he likes to have the responsibility of “the success of society” and “preparing the future citizens that are going to make the decisions” and he likes having that responsibility.     The Miami Senior High and Florida International University alum has been teaching Economics and Government as well as World History for his entire seven year career and has loved them equally.     “It’s interesting. I like doing both. Government and Economics I love it because it’s the one class seniors take before going into the real world and it’s stuff that they are going to be able to apply really quickly. World History I love because I just think that the past is amazing,” said Mr. Vinat.     Just as most teachers, Mr. Vinat found this award as a great honor.     “I’m actually very honored because when I met the other finalists, they are amazing individuals as well and just to be nominated and to get the recognition for what I do and what I love doing is an honor,” said Mr. Vinat.     In the end it isn’t about awards or honors for Mr. Vinat. He teaches to enlighten students on the importance of education.     “If at least one kid walks out saying ‘I learned something’ or they have that ‘Aha’ moment where they have realized why something was important or how it connects to their lives, I think that’s what makes a difference; I’ve done my job,” he said. ]]> Fri, 29 May 2009 19:15:24 GMT