As the semester comes to a close, the Gay-Straight Alliance presented the “Ally of the semester” Award. After the members nominated a handful of teachers, physics teacher Cheryl Shepherd-Adams was chosen by the students to receive the award. The GSA presented the award to her on Monday, Nov. 26. Shepherd-Adams was pleasantly surprised with the award. “I was surprised, humbled and very honored to receive the Ally award,” Shepherd Adams said. “Although I’ve been lucky enough to receive other awards and honors, this one means the most because it’s from students.” Shepherd-Adams was not entirely sure why she won the award over other teachers, but said the award is a reminder of what she believes is moral. “I’m really not sure why I was selected for the award,” Shepherd-Adams said. “The certificate says it’s for ‘willingness to accept, respect, and appreciate all students so that everyone feels welcome.’ Honestly, I don’t consciously think about doing those things. It’s humbling that this is the impression students have of me, but I feel like I fall short so often. The certificate is hanging in my classroom in a place where it will remind me of what I need to be doing. Christ commands us to love one another so I do try to live by that but I fail, often. The Lord’s love for us is limitless, so who am I to condemn whom other people love?” Shepherd-Adams does not discuss social issues in her class, but wants to provide a safe environment for all students. “It’s not as though we discuss homosexuality or related topics in class,” Shepherd-Adams said. “I teach physics, not physiology or psychology. Likewise, although I worry about my students, I don’t consider their social lives to be any of my business. From what I’ve seen, teachers want this school to be a safe place for all students, not just for the jocks or the geniuses or the rich kids.” Shepherd-Adams thinks that GSA is providing necessary awareness to students. “I hope that organizations like the GSA will continue to provide awareness of issues we might otherwise overlook,” Shepherd-Adams said.

13dbrissonburns@usd489.com