Wy’east teacher up for national prize

An unsuspecting east Vancouver school teacher got quite the surprise on Friday.

Wy’east Middle School English and social studies teacher Jed Mickelson was in his seventh-grade classroom shortly after 11 o’clock, when in marched a crowd: about 25 eighth-graders, his wife, Suzanne, and 7-month-old daughter, Eleanor, a former student and her mother, and Principal Caroline Garrett.

They turned down the lights, and tuned in the ABC-TV show, “Live! with Regis and Kelly.”

Moments later, Mickelson’s confusion would clear: He was the last of 12 semifinalists named for the nationally broadcast show’s second annual Top Teacher search award — by Friday’s guest and superstar singer Josh Grobin, no less.

All 12 semifinalists were nominated by students, friends or family members.

Their stories are posted on the show’s website for viewers to read: http://dadt.com/live/contest/topteachersearch/11/vote.

Online voting for the award ends Monday evening. One vote per day, or four maximum, is allowed for the four days that started Friday.

The five teachers with the most votes will be invited to appear on the show during the week of May 9.

Mickelson, 33, is the only Pacific Northwest teacher nominated for the prize. He has taught at Wy’east for 10 years.

But he’s up for another honor: He is one of 10 finalists in the Circle of Excellence level for the OnPoint Community Credit Union Award for Excellence in Education, along with fellow Evergreen Public Schools instructor Sheryl Meservey, a Union High School French teacher.

OnPoint winners will qualify for various grants and awards. Votes for those finalists can be made at: http://onpointprize.com. The winners will be announced on May 3.