Future Goals Most Valuable Teacher of the Year finalists named

Four teachers who combine a passion for hockey, the environment and dedication to their students are finalists for the Future Goals Most Valuable Teacher of the Year presented by SAP.

Michael S. Casella (New Jersey Devils) of East Amwell Township School in Ringoes, New Jersey; Jen Cook (Chicago Blackhawks) of Momence Junior High School in Momence, Illinois; Sandra Metzger (Philadelphia Flyers) of Charles Boehm Middle School in Yardley, Pennsylvania; and Nicholas Penberthy (Buffalo Sabres) of Pinehurst Elementary School in Hamburg, New York, are finalists after they were voted Future Goals Most Valuable Teacher of the Month presented by SAP during the past four months.

They were chosen by fans from among 20 teachers per month (January-April) across North America who have used the Future Goals Hockey Scholar program and received a $10,000 donation from SAP towards Environmental Sustainability Resources for their school districts.

The program, in its fourth year with EVERFI, a leading social impact education innovator, is a partnership with the NHL, NHL Players' Association and presented by SAP to honor teachers for their contributions in the classroom and for the important role they play in their students' lives.

In line with NHL Green's ongoing commitment to promote green business practices, and SAP's global efforts to help its partners and customers drive sustainable change, the overall winner will receive an additional $20,000 donation from SAP toward Environmental Sustainability Resources for their school districts.

Fans can go to NHL.com/MVT through Friday to vote for the Future Goals Most Valuable Teacher of the Year presented by SAP.

The finalists said they were surprised and humbled when they learned they were voted Future Goals Most Valuable Teacher of the Month presented by SAP.

Penberthy, a fifth-grade teacher, said he knew something was up when he walked into an assembly in Pinehurst Elementary's gym and saw a phalanx of family, friends and Sabretooth, the Sabres mascot, waiting to honor him for being February's winner.

"It's a true recognition of the amazing faculty and administration in the Frontier Central School District and especially at Pinehurst Elementary School," he said. "We had such a fun day celebrating, and the students and the school community alike were so excited about the award."

Penberthy said he hopes to apply his district's $10,000 prize to replace some of the school's older water fountains with new ones that include water bottle fillers, and maybe buy all students refillable water bottles that would cut down on the amount of single-use plastic bottles.

"If we were to win the additional $20,000," he said, "my ideas include getting some solar-powered charging benches/tables or put in an eco-friendly construction play pad next or our playground to allow for games like 4-square or Gaga Ball to be played."

Cook, a science teacher at her Momence, Illinois, school for more than 31 years, said it was priceless seeing the look on her students' faces when the Blackhawks, her favorite team, presented her with a Jonathan Toews jersey and former Chicago standout Denis Savard congratulated her in a video for being March's winner.

"Receiving the honor of the Future Goals Most Valuable Teacher presented by SAP for the month of March is making a huge impact on our small district," Cook said, "as these funds will allow us to provide new opportunities in STEM education for our diverse student population."

She credits the Future Goals Hockey Scholar program for helping her students get a better grasp on science, technology, engineering and math (STEM) concepts through the game of hockey.

"After my students complete the program, we attend a local hockey game as a field trip," Cook said. "This gives them an opportunity to experience what they have learned in person. It's a great opportunity for them to connect the lessons to real-life experience."

Metzger, a seventh- and eighth-grade teacher at Charles Boehm Middle School, said she's grateful for the support she received from her students, their families and the community who helped her be chosen Future Goals Most Valuable Teacher of the Month presented by SAP for January.

"Environmental education has been my passion for 30 years," she said, "and I feel blessed to use this award towards making Pennsbury schools greener and give our students experiences to become global citizens."

Travis Bloom, Charles Boehm Middle School's principal, said the school plans to use Metzger's award to help support a new hydroponics project in its science and STEM classrooms.

Casella, a Reading and Technology teacher for 25 years, was named April's winner during a ceremony that included Devils 1995 Stanley Cup champion Bruce Driver.

"This is just a reflection on the students and community we have here. It's all on them," Casella said. "They're the ones who do everything and made this possible."

East Amwell Township School's principal, John Capuano, also thanked the NHL, NHLPA and SAP for honoring Casella and added that both the students and their teacher were thrilled to receive the award.

The Future Goals Most Valuable Teacher program presented by SAP is part of the NHL and NHLPA's Future Goals initiative, funded by their joint Industry Growth Fund (IGF).

The NHL and NHLPA established the IGF in 2013 to support NHL and Club business initiatives and projects, designed and intended to promote long-term fan development, grow the game of hockey, and provide educational resources.

Future Goals Hockey Scholar is a free online program, developed and delivered by EVERFI, that uses STEM concepts to inspire boys and girls to develop STEM-based skills in a fun and engaging way. Since 2014, more than 3.8 million students have participated in the program, with students seeing their STEM skills increase by 82 percent.

Previous winners of the Future Goals Most Valuable Teacher of the Year presented by SAP include Joan Kilban (Boston Bruins, 2020); Donald Conaway, Jr. (Flyers, 2021); and Carolyn Avery (Vegas Golden Knights, 2022).

Go to NHL.com/MVT to vote for the Future Goals Most Valuable Teacher of the Year presented by SAP.