Tiffany DiMatteo

Tiffany DiMatteo teaches English at Myers Park High School in Charlotte, North Carolina. She was nominated by David Hunt, who was graduating from Drexel’s LeBow College of Business. Ms. DiMatteo inspires her students to question—to question literature, existence, themselves. She shows them how their own stories affect the perspective they bring to their reading. Her classes are known to feature students acting out books, and talking about how the books correlate with their own experiences. She demands that students expect greatness from themselves, and step outside their comfort zones. She is nurturing, but also challenging. David specifically noted that she encouraged him to stay on top of his studies despite persistent health problems that affected his high school career. David’s nominating letter compared Ms. DiMatteo to the system of pressure and heat that turns carbon into diamonds.

William McRae

William McRae teaches social studies at Springfield High School in Springfield, Pennsylvania. He was nominated by Cory Czuczman, who graduated from the College of Arts and Sciences. Cory first encountered Mr. McRae as a freshman, when he was accidentally placed into a Criminal and Civil Law class with a room of upperclassmen. He stayed in the class, drawn in by Mr. McRae’s storytelling and critical analysis. Mr. McRae’s teaching encourages students to go deeper into the subject, to find out “why” things are the way they are. Students learn to question unjust laws and practices, and become a part of the body politic. His office is always open for further discussion. Cory’s nominating letter credited Mr. McRae with sparking his interest in civic activity, which led to Cory’s involvement with Drexel’s Center for Civic Engagement. He also recalled a quotation on Mr. McRae’s classroom wall: “Emancipate yourself from mental slavery.”

Mark Piotrowski

Mark Piotrowski is a technology and engineering education teacher at Lower Merion High School in Ardmore, Pennsylvania. He was nominated by Sylvia Herbert, who graduated from the College of Engineering. Mr. Piotrowski opens up technology and engineering as options for students who might never have considered them. He provides a supportive atmosphere that encourages his students to explore. He gives tirelessly of his own time, both to help students and to advocate for STEM education. He is currently president of the Technology and Engineering Education Association of Pennsylvania. Sylvia’s nominating letter recalled her discomfort at being one of just two young women in Mr. Piotrowski’s introductory course. Her instinct was to try to switch classes, but instead she was won over by his passion for the subject and the case he made for engineering as a career. She built an impressive array of technology-focused activities, and today she stands on the precipice of an engineering career. All thanks to Mark Piotrowski.

Missy Reimer

Missy Reimer taught at The Kings Christian High School in Cherry Hill, N.J., where one of her students was Donna Rugh, who graduated from the College of Nursing and Health Professions. But that was 23 years ago.The lessons that Ms. Reimer taught have stuck with her students that long. Lessons about why it’s critical to learn science … how to get the most out of yourself in a sport like field hockey, which she coached … what to do as a leader, in her role as student council adviser. And she taught her students another lesson when she took a leap of faith, and answered the call to become a missionary. The people Ms. Reimer touched remembered everything she gave them, and they tried to repay the favor when Ms. Reimer was diagnosed with a serious illness last fall. Even faced with the ultimate challenge, she remains an inspiration to those who know her. Donna’s nominating letter said that Ms. Reimer deserves to be recognized for proving that education is a labor of love, and a work of art.