Coach Mitchell Encourages People to Honor a 'Teacher Who Made a Difference'

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LEXINGTON, Ky. (Feb. 1, 2012) — University of Kentucky Women's Basketball Coach Matthew Mitchell understands the value of mentorship firsthand — he does it everyday with his players, and learned the importance of it early in life.

"Teaching is my job, teaching is my passion. And it is something that I love and hope to do the rest of my life," Mitchell said. "It is a tremendous thing to be a teacher."

Mitchell's passion for teaching led him to be the 2012 spokesperson for the Teachers Who Made a Difference program. Sponsored by the University of Kentucky College of Education, the program gives individuals an opportunity to thank the teachers, principals, college professors or other educators who have inspired and motivated them to succeed.

The coach says he wants to help honor educators that have positively influenced their students, just as his former teachers have influenced him.

"After my parents, my teachers probably had the most positive impact on my life."

The program does not select winners from a pool of nominees. Rather, the College of Education created the program to provide individuals a means to express thanks to educators who have impacted their lives. Honorees can be from anywhere and do not have to be affiliated with UK; however, the number of honorees to be recognized is limited. Organizers ask that nominators limit recognitions to one teacher per year.

Last year more than 100 educators were recognized, and Coach Mitchell and the college are hoping for even more this year. Submissions are being accepted until the end of February.

More than 1,600 teachers have been honored since the program’s inception. The Teachers Who Made a Difference program includes a special recognition event and reception attended by both the teachers and their nominators.

To honor an educator, visit the UK College of Education’s website at education.uky.edu/Community/TWMAD and complete the online form or download the printable form to mail in. The deadline for submissions is Feb. 29, 2012.

For more information, contact the UK College of Education Office of Advancement by phone at (859) 257-2666.

MEDIA CONTACT: Jenny Wells, (859) 257-5343; Jenny.Wells@uky.edu