In just one week, it's back to school for public school students in Hampton Roads. But some teachers have been busy over the summer break as well and News 3's Kurt Williams caught up with one educator, who fought back tears when he was surprised with a People Taking Action Award.
Our surprise unfolded at a robotics summer camp being held at Norfolk State University. When I entered the auditorium where Daron Moore was getting ready to oversee a robotics competition, I let him know we had been hearing good things about him.
He came to our attention thanks to an email from Kevin Thorpe, who read a portion of it, "Mr. Daron Moore is a science teacher at I.C. Norcom High School. Most teachers welcome the summer to spend time with their families. He's not really taking a break with his family; he does summer camps with us."
The kids are from across Hampton Roads and really enjoyed this robotics camp, just ask 11 year old Kendall Brooks from Virginia Beach, "I'm glad he came today because I wouldn't have done all this cool stuff this past four days if he wasn't here."
You'll find Moore right in the middle of the competition cheering on the students as they put their robots to the test, encouraging these kids as they learn science, math and engineering---all while having fun---thanks to this teacher who keeps giving during the summer break.
For that passion, we presented him with a News 3 People Taking Action award, along with a $300 Visa gift card from our community partner Southern Bank.
The recognition had Moore fighting back tears, "Why is that?---It's because...it's...sometimes--honestly I believe in the bible, and the bible says give honor to whom honor is due. And a lot of times we do things not even expecting anything in return, but those moments when you do get that recognition it does mean something. You know teachers are the ones that shape the world. We teach and train the students and they go to make a lot more money than us and the students get raises in all of that and unfortunately we've got to fight for even a raise some times, so even that small recognition that I get, that we get, means so much. So this isn't just for me, this on behalf of all those teachers who are dedicated and committed."
