La Lumiere School announces TJ Mitchell, former Director of Bands at New Prairie Middle School in New Carlisle, Indiana, as the fifth annual Excellence in Teaching Award recipient. The School’s Excellence in Teaching Award recognizes professionals in Northwest Indiana and Southwest Michigan communities who are committed to the vocation of teaching and provide an outstanding middle school experience for their students. Recipients of the award are teachers of 6th, 7th, or 8th grade and are nominated by their students who are asked to write and submit an essay explaining how their teachers are innovative, dedicated, and truly care for their students.
One of Mitchell’s students, Alexis Surma, wrote, “Mr. Mitchell turned our whole band around. We went from average to amazing, and he hadn’t even been there the whole year.” She reflected, “He has a talent for teaching, and constantly tells us that our hard work makes us the band we are, but he’s the one who did it. He’s the one who influenced the kids to want to do their homework and actually care about the music.” Surma ended her essay by saying, “I’m proud to call him my teacher.”
La Lumiere takes great pride in offering local students the opportunity to express their gratitude toward teachers who they feel have positively influence their lives. The following sponsors generously partnered with the School to honor Mitchell for his outstanding work: Frankie’s Other Place, Union Pier, Michigan; Hard Rock Cafe Four Winds, New Buffalo, Michigan; Wings, Etc. Grill and Pub, Valparaiso, Indiana; Bentwood Tavern, New Buffalo, Michigan; and Terrace Room, New Buffalo, Michigan.
About La Lumiere School
La Lumiere School is a premier college preparatory boarding and day school located on a spectacular 190-acre campus located 25 miles west of South Bend, Indiana, eight miles from La Porte, Indiana, seven miles from New Buffalo, Michigan, and about an hour southeast of Chicago. The School upholds academic excellence to characterize its entire curriculum. La Lumiere prepares students to attend some of the best colleges in the country including: Stanford University, Northwestern University, Rhode Island School of Design, University of Notre Dame, Wake Forest University, Middlebury College, Georgetown University, Cornell University, Colgate University, University of Michigan, and the University of Chicago. La Lumiere School is accredited by the Independent Schools Association of the Central States (ISACS) and the North Central Association Commission on Accreditation and School Improvement (NCA). Additional information about La Lumiere School can be found at lalumiere.org.