Beth Brunton, one of the two teachers at Northgate Middle College High School, has been nominated for the Simon Youth Foundation National Teacher of the Year award. From the foundation’s news release:

Simon Youth Academy teachers make it happen.

They are sages, advocates, sounding boards, motivators, caregivers, cheerleaders, mentors, and hope igniters for the at-risk students in the alternative high schools that Simon Youth Foundation sponsors with our public school partners.

Brunton teaches humanities at the alternative Seattle public school located on the second floor of Northgate Mall, and indeed, she does make it happen.

In March, she was instrumental in organizing a fundraiser for the school that raised $8,000, allowing the school to keep its part-time life coach, and pay for day-to-day needs such as school supplies, food and field trips.

According to the Simon Youth Foundation, Brunton was nominated because:

Beth raised the money needed to hire a life coach and substance abuse counselor at her academy, which has helped her at-risk students better learn goal setting and self sufficiency. Students who struggle with substance abuse also have benefited from the additional support.

Wish her luck next week at the Simon Youth Foundation National Conference Oct. 9-12, where the Teacher of the Year will be named!