Sayers earns Outstanding Educator Award

Mercer Island High School teacher Jan Sayers won the 2009 PTA Council’s Outstanding Educator Award. Sayers has taught English at MIHS for 21 years. She has earned particular attention for her English 9/Applied/Technical Communications block classes for freshmen.

Superintendent Gary Plano presented Sayers with the award last week, commending her dedicated work and zest for teaching.

“Today, we are recognizing an educator in our midst who exemplifies the very best in our profession not only in the classroom, but in every aspect of our education community,” Plano said. “I have never met anyone like Jan Sayers. She has a passion for teaching and learning that knows no bounds.”

In addition to teaching English, Sayers teaches business law to MIHS students. As part of the curriculum, she brings in speakers from the community to inspire students and give them a glimpse of business in the real world. Sayers has served on numerous school and district committees and is “a tireless advocate for her students,” Plano said.

“Jan creates wonderful learning plans for [her students], grades their papers, writes their letters of recommendation, and most of all — holds them to her high standards of hard work, personal integrity and community service.”

Sayers was recently nominated as a 2009 Inspirational Teacher by a University of Washington Computer Science Department undergraduate student. She has been teaching at MIHS for 20 years.

The Outstanding Educator Award was created to recognize individuals who have provided outstanding educational opportunities for children and youth who are beyond the normal scope of their job. It is chosen by members of the PTA.