Mount Saint Mary College graduate Education student Zachary Grzeczka (left) stands with the Pawling High School student-athlete who nominated him for the “Shirt Off Our Backs” award.
Zachary Grzeczka, a graduate student in the Mount Saint Mary College Education program, was recently honored with the “Shirt Off Our Backs” award at Pawling High School.
Grzeczka, who is currently completing his student teaching experience in Social Studies, was selected for the honor by members of the Pawling High School Boys’ Varsity Soccer team.
The “Shirt Off Our Backs” award is a tradition where student-athletes identify a teacher or staff member who has had a significant positive impact on their lives and encouraged their success. The honoree is invited to wear the team’s jersey during the school day and is recognized in a ceremony on the field during a home game.
In a letter to Grzeczka informing him of the award, the team noted, “You have been identified... as someone who has had a positive impact on their life. They would like to honor you with this award as they have recognized your efforts to ensure their success.”
For Grzeczka, the recognition was particularly meaningful because it bridged the gap between his student teaching placements.
“To see that I had an impact on [the student who nominated him] – even though I wasn’t his teacher anymore – really meant a lot to me, because sometimes you don’t know if you’re getting through to them,” Grzeczka said.
For a student teacher, whose role in students’ lives is brief, an award like this is a major accomplishment.
“It really makes me feel like I’m part of the community,” Grzeczka explained. “Being a student teacher, you don’t always feel like you’re part of the faculty or the staff yet. So to be recognized by a student and the Varsity Soccer team made me feel like I was really part of that family.”
The award ceremony took place last month at the Pawling High School field. This moment is one of many that prove to Grzeczka that he’s on the right career path with the right college.
“It validates everything that I’m doing and why I want to be a teacher,” he said.