Jamie Kimbrell
Staff Writer
@jaynicole2015

RICHARDSON- For most teachers, inspiring students to do their best in their class is an act that perpetuates only within the walls of the school. However, for Coppell High school teachers Ian VanderSchee, Mike Yakubovsky and Grant Garner, inspiring students goes past their classroom door, leading them to be recipients of the 2015 Computer Science Inspiration Award.

On Oct. 29, Garner, VanderSchee and Yakubovsky attended a luncheon and award ceremony at the University of Texas at Dallas as they received the 2015 Computer Science Inspiration Award. These teachers were nominated by students they previously taught who currently attend computer science program at UT Dallas. The students chose teachers that impacted their high school career and helped guide them, not only academically, but personally as well.

“For me, each and every one of my students inspires me every day to just be a better teacher and to do better, and be better. So when a student turns around and nominates me for inspiring them, it’s humbling, and it’s unexpected it just makes it all worthwhile,” said VanderSchee, an International Baccalaureate math teacher and CHS math department chair. “I am here with people who are very strong in their fields, to be in a room with teachers of that caliber, makes me feel very honored to receive such an high honor with them.”

Vanderschee and Garner both agree that teaching is all about the students.

“I love what I do from 8 a.m. to 4 p.m., but what is more important to me is when students just come to you and say, ‘Hey, can I talk to you about college?’ That’s what I really love, that’s why I teach,” said Garner, a STEM (Science Technology Engineering and Math) teacher. “I’m a relationships person and I want to have those relationships with my students and I want them to know that I’m there for them.”

Garner’s philosophy towards his students was noticed by them as well. Nick Strauss, a freshman at UT Dallas.

“He taught me a lot, not just academically, but as a person my sophomore and freshman years in the STEM academy. I felt like due to him I found where I belong,” said Strauss, the student who nominated Garner.

As students move on from CHS, they do not forget those who inspire them and shaped their future. Professors from the computer science program presented facts about the program, explaining how teachers prepared the students to be successful at UT Dallas.

“I just gave [students] a chance to play and try things out and explore and figure out what they liked or didn’t like,” said Yakubovsky, who is also a STEM teacher and CHS STEM coordinator. “It’s what we do in my class, just give them a chance to figure out the kinds of things they are interested in and what their passions are to chase them.”