Peters Township tech teacher honored by Chevron Appalachia
A surprised Brian Griffin addresses his class after receiving his honor.
Lee Ann Wainwright, policy, government and public affairs representative with Chevron, speaks about Brian Griffin’s qualifications for the honor.
Brian Griffin received a personalized Steelers jersey.
When a group of strangers armed with blue-and-white balloons sporting the Chevron logo and a giant check walked into his classroom at Peters Township Middle School, you could say Brian Griffin was surprised.
Griffin, a technology teacher and cross country coach – he also runs the school’s morning news program – was named a Steelers Leaders in the Classroom, part of a $20 million education initiative launched two years ago by Chevron Appalachia, the Allegheny County Conference on Community Development, the Claude Worthington Benedum Foundation and RAND Corp. to promote STEM education throughout the region.
Griffin is one of 16 winners who have or be selected from 27 counties in southwest Pennsylvania, northern West Virginia and eastern Ohio.
Griffin received a $1,500 grant from Chevron to buy materials for his classroom. He was also given a Steelers home jersey with the number 16 and his name on the back. Plus he received two tickets from the Steelers for the Jan. 1 game against the Cleveland Browns.
“It’s an honored to be recognized,” Griffin said.
Griffin, the only winner so far in Washington County, was nominated by middle school principal Adam Sikorski, who said Griffin’s classes are enjoyable and fun because of the unique ideas he brings to the classroom.
“He is certainly deserving of this honor,” Sikorski said.
On the nomination form, Sikorski called Griffin a tireless worker.
“He is accessible to students and staff members at all times. He looks for ways to collaborate with other staff members and has really helped our staff rethink what the teaching-learning environment should look like, sound like and offer. Students are more excited than ever to take a Technology Education class,” Sikorski said. “He’s inspiring an entire middle school to think outside the box and reinforce the notion that taking risks in the classroom is okay and exciting.”