Avalanche Promotes Teacher Appreciation Week

The Colorado Avalanche are proud to honor teachers and school administrators in Colorado through the Colorado Avalanche Most Valuable Teacher (MVT) program, presented by Ford. The MVT program encourages teachers and school administrators to continually strive for excellency and leadership in their schools by offering a unique experience.

In honor of
Teacher Appreciation Week
, we're taking a look back at the six outstanding educators who received the Avalanche MVT award, presented by Ford, this season.
The educators listed below were selected in recognition of their dedication to empower students in our community. Each award winner received a $1,000 classroom improvement grant, a classroom celebration hosted by Avalanche celebrities, 4 tickets to a game, recognition at a game, dinner at Ball Arena, an Avalanche gift bag, and tickets for their students.

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Nina Scheideman - Columbia Middle School

Classroom Visit: December 7, 2021
In-Game Recognition: December 10, 2021
During the 2019-2020 school year, Nina was responsible for running the only active remote instrument program in her school district. She also founded the Tri-M Honor Society program at Columbia Middle School, which is responsible for annual community service projects. Last year, Nina organized a Tri-M Honor Society fundraiser which provided "thank you" gifts for nurses at a local children's hospital.

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Tina Hogarth - Sand Creek Elementary

Classroom Visit: January 14, 2022
In-Game Recognition: January 24, 2022
Tina is a 5th grade teacher at Sand Creek Elementary. She has worked in education for 30 years. She continually supports local non-profit organizations in her role as an educator via school fundraising and volunteer programs.

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Valerie Sarracino - Arrupe Jesuit High School

Classroom Visit: January 28, 2022
In-Game Recognition: February 1, 2022
Valerie teaches Spanish at Arrupe Jesuit High School and taught the first Advanced Placement Spanish class in school history. Valerie also created Arrupe Jesuit's Student Union Program and oversees the program. Over the holidays, the Student Union Program raised hundreds of dollars to provide toys for local underprivileged children.

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Betsy Giddens - Shiloh Academy

Classroom Visit: March 16, 2022
In-Game Recognition: March 23, 2022
Betsy is a Special Education teacher at Shiloh Academy. She has been teaching for 15 years and is committed to professional development, having recently completed a Master's degree in Special Education. She has also served as a Special Olympics coach and continues giving back to her community by volunteering at a local animal shelter.

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Adulis Desta - West High School

Classroom Visit: April 11, 2022
In-Game Recognition: April 14, 2022
Mr. Desta is proud to be an Alternative Needs teacher at West High School. He is a Denver native who has been instrumental in creating Denver Public Schools' first fully integrated Alternative Needs Center. He works tirelessly to make sure all students of all abilities are supported, always doing so with a smile.

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Katie Hickey - DSST: Byers High School

Classroom Visit: April 21, 2022
In-Game Recognition: April 28, 2022
Katie is an American Literature teacher and has been teaching since 2009. She serves as DSST: Byers' Art Club, Newspaper Club, and Yearbook program advisor. Katie goes above and beyond to thoughtfully write more than 40 college letters of recommendation for her students every year.
For more information about the Most Valuable Teacher program, presented by Ford, please visit
https://www.nhl.com/avalanche/community/programs
.