Mesa elementary teacher wins Outspoken with Bruce & Gaydos’ Pay Tribute to a Teacher award

PHOENIX — An elementary school teacher in the East Valley is this month’s winner of Outspoken with Bruce & Gaydos’ Pay Tribute to a Teacher award, sponsored by Your Valley Toyota Dealers.

Mr. Jean-Pierre Thompson teaches fourth grade at Field Elementary School in Mesa, near Adobe and 24th streets.

“I’ve been teaching for 22 years,” Thompson told KTAR News 92.3 FM’s Outspoken with Bruce & Gaydos. “I try to teach each and every student as though they were my children.”

The mother who nominated Thompson for the award described him as the kind of teacher who can change a life.  She said he helped her daughter, Evie, who had a life‑threatening brain injury and learning challenges, earn two A’s — her first ever.

Pay Tribute to a Teacher winner puts kindness and patience first

“Evie is a wonderful young lady with lots of spark, energy and spirit,” Thompson said. “You would never imagine that she had any incidents that her mom described. She’s involved in cheer; she’s involved in student council. She is like a second little helper in my classroom.”

He emphasized the importance of kindness, patience and encouragement when working with children who have learning challenges.

“Due to her brain injury, she sometimes tends to overreact a little bit,” Thompson said. “I constantly encourage her: ‘You are a smart girl. You’re important. It’s okay if you do not get the right answer.'”

Thompson noted these words have a powerful effect.

“I have truly seen her improve in her confidence and her abilities to continue to strive as she does,” Thompson said.

He said he has four children and tries to teach every student the same way he’d want a teacher to treat his own kids.

Pay Tribute to a Teacher award winner ‘ecstatic’ to hear he won $2,500

“This is my passion,” Thompson said. “If I can have an impact on someone’s life, such as Evie, then that, just, you can’t put it into words.”

Thompson said he plans to use the $2,500 to help some of his students pay for a field trip to the Grand Canyon. Some of the cash will also go to supplies, which he said his classroom needs.

“We need a little bit of supplies in my classroom,” Thompson said. “I used to purchase those things, but out of pocket and it’s a little difficult in today’s world. So, I think I’ll buy some supplies for my kiddos.”

Want to nominate somebody for the Pay Tribute to a Teacher award? Submissions are accepted here.

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