Patty Mordas’ school day definitely was made better when several representatives from Office Max entered her classroom to present her with a prize reserved for only 1,000 teachers across the nation.. Mordas, a sixth-grade math teacher at Balls Creek, soon learned she was receiving $1,000 in office and school supplies for her classroom. Balls Creek, for employing one of the national winners, also received numerous school supplies.
The “A Day Made Better” program rewards teachers whose excellence in the classroom singles them out as exceptional educators. They receive prizes that can be used by both teachers and their students. Last spring, Office Max personnel contacted Principal Lisa Thompson and Assistant Principal Brian Benton and asked them to nominate a deserving teacher.
Their nomination: “Patty is our teacher of the year at Balls Creek for the School Year 2010-2011. This recognition was voted upon by her peers and is indicative of the vast amount of professional growth she has shown over the course of the past year. Also, Patty is the ultimate team player when it comes to doing what is best for the school and her students. An example of this occurred at mid-term this year, at the time Patty was teaching 5th-grade science. We were notified before Christmas that there would be a vacancy in our 6th-grade math teaching position. Patty, being fully capable of filling that position, was not only willing to accept the challenge of moving grade levels at mid-term, but also of changing content areas. She attacked this move with the tenacity and determination that exemplifies her leadership and abilities as a classroom teacher. Furthermore, not only was she willing to take on the new challenge in 6th grade, she also worked very closely with the teacher who was filling her spot in 5th grade to ensure a smooth transition for the students. Patty is a teacher that sets the bar high for other teachers. She is a blessing to her students and our school.”
Joining in the award presentation was Glenn Barger, Catawba County Schools superintendent.
