Last year, Student and Athlete of the month were started with the purpose of recognizing outstanding students and athletes. This year, Student Council and the Teacher Recognition Committee have decided to add on to the idea.

Student council has created Teachers of the Month- an award in which they choose two outstanding teachers and reward them with special parking spots located in front of the school. The point is to make it a shorter walk for the teachers to get to their class instead of having to walk from the teacher parking lot.

Administration decided that to have more space for visitors it would necessary for all teachers to park in the back lot, with no exceptions.

This year student council was given two parking spots that they chose to use for recognition of the teachers of the month, in addition to the two parking spots that digital photo teacher Robert Panzer auctions off to support the Ron Selim Student Scholarship.

The teachers of the month are chosen by a vote amongst Student Council members and are based off of who they think has had the most spirit and support for the teams.

 “They want the teachers who dive into the high school experience,” student council advisor Scott Hollabaugh said.

“It made me feel really good about putting in the extra time,” U.S. and World History teacher and one of the Oct. teachers of the month Chris Raymond said.

Teachers put in extra time to support SMHS students in all they do by going to multiple activities such as sports, concerts and more.

“The long hours seem worth it to be recognized by students,” Raymond said.

The students, after they have chosen the two teachers for the month, find a picture of the teacher and place it on a sign that marks the teachers’ special parking spaces.

 “Students who want to know which teacher was chosen in the months before can see it on the student council website,” senior class secretary Megan Patrick said. “Just click the student council link on the Sunrise Mountain website.”