Alum nominates Powers for Stanford teaching award

Greenhills Latin teacher Michael Powers got an unexpected surprise recently when Stanford University sent him a special teaching award.

Stanford Admission Dean Richard Shaw, in a letter to Greenhills Head of School Carl Pelofsky, explained that Powers had been nominated for Stanford’s Teacher Tribute Initiative by 2014 Greenhills graduate Francesca Lupia, then a Stanford freshman.

Shaw said the initiative came about because Stanford faculty appreciate the positive impact made by their incoming class of freshman every year.

“Each time I discover their latest on-campus achievements or hear from faculty about their limitless intellectual curiosity, I am inspired by the enthusiasm, energy, and excellence they bring to our community of scholars,” Shaw wrote. “I am also reminded how fortunate these students are to have had the support, guidance, and friendship of teachers and mentors who helped prepare them for college.”

That’s why Stanford offers every freshman the chance to acknowledge one former teacher who played a significant role in their intellectual, academic, social, and personal development. Lupia chose Powers.

“I was incredibly surprised to receive the accolade,” Powers said. “It says so much for Francesca Lupia, and her kindness and generosity, to have not only nominated me, but to have written so graciously.”