Apr 8, 2019 By Harry Funk staff Writer hfunk@thealmanac.Net 2 min read

Monday mornings can be rough, but not so much April 8 at Peters Township Middle School, when some of the students assembled in the gymnasium for an unexpected assembly.

“We understand you guys have some big tests coming up this week,” guest Lee Ann Wainwright told them, “and might be a little nervous and might be looking for some motivation to take them. And we know that you cannot be prepared for the tests without your awesome teachers.

“So we are here to recognize Mr. Matthew Cheran.”

At that point, the look of sheer surprise on the eighth-grade social study instructor’s face verified he had no idea what was coming: He’d been selected as an All-Star Teacher in a program conducted by Chevron, Pittsburgh Pirates Charities and the child-oriented Grable Foundation.

Still wide-eyed, he proceeded to walk to the center of the gym to greet Wainwright, a policy, government and public affairs specialist for ChevronAppalachia.

“Mr. Cheran’s legacy will live long after he retires,” Wainwright read from a testimonial nominating him for the honor. “It’s not uncommon for a former student to either stop by the school, or make contact via phone call or email, expressing the impact he had on (his or her) life.

“He cares so deeply about kids, the profession and the Peters Township community, ” she added. “Daily, he leaves work to head over to the local library, where he tutors for several hours. If there is ever an opportunity to serve on a committee, you can make sure his name is on the list. He is unquestionably an All-Star Teacher.”

For Cheran, with the honor came a $1,000 grant, personalized jersey and tickets to a June game at PNC Park, where he and other top teachers will be recognized on the field. Plus, he received a treasure chest full of Pirates gear to share with his students.

Not bad for a Monday morning.