Catalina Foothills District honors its best
High school's Dave Mason is surprised with a check for $1,000 and other goodies
By Jamar Younger
ARIZONA DAILY STAR
When Dave Mason arrived at work on Monday, he focused on preparing his lesson for his social studies classes and getting ready for the rest of the week.
The Catalina Foothills High School teacher had no idea that members of his school district's fundraising foundation would show up in his class and present him with an oversized $1,000 check.
Mason, 37, won the Catalina Foothills School District's first-time Teacher of the Year award, and members of the foundation presented him with the award during one of his early-afternoon classes.
Mason will receive a variety of other gifts, including a $500 gift certificate good at La Encantada shopping center, a couple of plaques commemorating his award, and a banner that will be displayed at the school for the rest of the year.
The foundation will honor Mason and four other finalists at its Love Our Schools Gala on Feb. 15.
Almost 40 teachers were given applications based on nominations they received, and 16 completed the application process.
Teachers were nominated by parents, students, colleagues, administrators and community members.
The applications were then reviewed by an 11-member committee composed of parents, administrators and people who don't have children in the school district, committee member Lisa Millerd said.
"The main emphasis was we wanted to celebrate achievements in our district," Millerd said.
Mason teaches Advanced Placement European history and regular Western civilization classes. He is an assistant cross-country coach and also has coached freshman and junior varsity boys basketball and girls varsity basketball, he said.
He has taught at Catalina Foothills for nine years, he said.
Mason said he felt good about his final interview during the award application process, but he didn't expect the oversized check and the increased attention.
"Totally blown away," he said, describing how he felt when they made the presentation. "I also knew the other four finalists were awesome teachers. They were all equally deserving."
Mason was inspired to teach by some of his high school teachers, as well as by his love of working with young people, he said.
"I've always loved history, and I was fortunate enough to have some talented social studies and history teachers" in high school, he said. "To me, it's my perfect career choice."
His keys to success include appreciating every student whom he teaches and understanding that all students are different, he said.
Mason has learned not to take things personally, to learn from his mistakes and to celebrate his successes, he said.
"In this profession, you'll always have room to grow. You're always learning as you go and trying new things," he said.
Some of Mason's students praised him for his passion for teaching and for the way he connects with students.
"You can see his energy when he's teaching. He brings all of the experiences from what he's done in his life," said senior Amber Luttman, 17. "It's fun to hear him talk about it."
Andrew Wang, 15, said Mason is very honest and charismatic when he's talking with students.
"Just the way he connects with us on a personal level," said Wang, a sophomore. "When you're around him, you don't feel like you're around a teacher."
Mason's energy gets his students excited about learning, said senior Laura Healy, 17.
"Things like the French Revolution I actually cared to learn about," Healy said. "He makes it really exciting. That's really cool."
● Contact reporter Jamar Younger at 434-4076 or jyounger@azstarnet.com.
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