Kevin Sanders of the MISD Alternative Education Center was presented the April 2008 Heartbeat Team Award on Friday, April 25. District Superintendent Vernon Newsom surprised Sanders with a cookie bouquet and a Heartbeat Team shirt in a presentation held in Sander's Mathematics classroom.

The selection of Kevin Sanders for the April 2008 Heartbeat Team comes the simple of act of playing basketball with students.

According to nomination information he plays basketball with students from the Alternative Education Center's (AEC) Behavior Intervention Center. Students receive confidence, love, support, happiness and joy from his spending time with them. By taking time out of an already busy schedule for a teacher to connect with students, Sanders instills a sense of attention that these students might not otherwise get on a regular basis.

When asked why he chooses to play basketball to reach the students, Kevin replied “There are many life lessons to be learned in playing basketball. Things like determination, self-control, and perseverance.”

“Sometimes all our students really need is someone to show them that they are loved and cared for, no matter what they do,” said Laure Pilgrim, a teacher at AEC. “Kevin shows them this every day that he is outside with them.”

“Kevin is very deserving of this recognition,” said AEC principal, Jerry Gray. “He is great for our kids.”

Sanders will be commended in an upcoming MISD School Board Regular Meeting

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The Mansfield ISD Heartbeat Team recognizes employees who display heart in their lives and inspires other district employees through their actions. Only district employees are able to nominate Heartbeat members. One winner is selected each month during the school year. Nominations are collected by the MISD Communications Department.