Dena Schimming, the Teen Leadership teacher at Mansfield Legacy High School, received the October 2009 MISD Heartbeat Team Award. Mrs. Schimming was chosen for endless energy to inspire students with her compassion, love, and guidance.
District Superintendent Dr. Bob Morrison, along with Legacy principal Mr. David Wright, surprised Dena with a presentation held inside her Teen Leadership class.
“Dena’s love for her students, along with her endless energy and wanting to give all of Legacy real life situations that everyone can be involved in, takes learning to a new level,” said LHS principal, Mr. David Wright. “She’s always trying to provide a fantastic high school experience.”
“I just feel so humbled that I would be even considered for something like this because that’s not what it’s about for me,” Schimming said . “The most rewarding thing is seeing what the students are capable of. If you can inspire them, they’ll change the world. They have a great love for our society, they just have to be taught how to funnel that into a productive way.”
During a project last year, Schimming took a group of Teen Leadership students to hear author Denver Moore speak of his book Same Kind of Different as Me. The students prepared for the visit by first reading and having discussions on the book which was themed about homelessness and personal redemption. One of the most striking results of studying this book and meeting the author was students volunteering at Union Gospel Mission for the homeless in Ft. Worth.
Mrs. Schimming also plays an integral role in the school’s Breast Cancer Fundraising efforts, Walking for a Legacy and Pink Fest activities. Last year the school raised approximately $30,000 and this year they have a goal of $40,000 “to represent the 40,000 lives that will be lost to breast cancer this year.”
Mansfield ISD administration is proud to present the October 2009 Heartbeat Team Award to Dena Schimming for her enthusiasm, dedication, and remarkable impact she has on her students and the campus culture of Mansfield Legacy High School.
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The Heartbeat award was established to recognize employees who display heart in their lives and inspire other employees with their actions.
