Heritage High's Stacey MacPherson Named Teacher of Month

Julianne Peterson, clinic administrator for Massage Envy Menifee, and Menifee 24/7 editor Doug Spoon present the Teacher of the Month award to Stacey MacPherson (center).

Anyone who has ever been a teacher is aware of the incredible dedication and time commitment that goes into the profession. In many ways, one may consider it a thankless job.

Fortunately, there are those who appreciate what teachers do and the difference teachers make in the lives of their students. Such expressions of gratitude enable those of us at Menifee 24/7 to honor some of those worthy of recognition.

Today, we congratulate Stacey MacPherson, a chemistry and algebra teacher at Heritage High School, in receiving our first Teacher of the Month Award, sponsored by Massage Envy Menifee.

MacPherson has been a teacher for 16 years, the last four at Heritage High. She is praised by students and school administrators for her dedication to the job and her ability to make learning fun. Although her commitment to the job requires lots of extra hours, MacPherson is always available to those who need her.

"Mrs. MacPherson spends most of her time on her students," said Andrea Amabilis, one of those students. "She willingly stays after school every day in case any of her students need tutoring. She also stays in her room at lunch for the same reason. The only day she is not available is Wednesdays after school, because she is at school herself, working hard to get a higher degree than she already has.

"She is the busiest woman I know, and yet she always seems to have all our work graded the next day. She truly deserves the award."

MacPherson said she tries always to be available to her students, whom she considers "my kids."

"I have maybe 20 to 40 kids in my room at lunch time," she said. "After school, I'm typically here until 4:30. And in the evenings, my students know they can email me for help. They know my phone shuts off at 10:30. Other than that, I'm available. It's easier for me to take five minutes out of night to answer a question than teach the lesson over the next day."

MacPherson's husband, Rick, is a teacher at Moreno Valley High School. The couple has two children -- Jacob, an eighth grader, and Nathan, a sixth grader -- who are both 4.0 students.

"Stacey is a wonderful chemistry and math teacher at Heritage High School," said Julie Zierold, the school principal. "She is extremely passionate about her students and dedicates a great deal of time to help them be successful. She is extremely bright and works very hard. I most definitely think she is a great selection for your award."

MacPherson received a $50 gift card to Massage Envy, located in the Countryside Marketplace in Menifee.

"She encourages and facilitates kids to get great grades, but she does not teach easy classes," Andrea Amabilis continued. "She does not make things easier for you. She simply prepares you and makes sure you learn everything."

If you would like to nominate a Menifee teacher for Menifee 24/7's next Teacher of the Month award, email us at menifee247info@gmail.com. In 200 words or less, tell us why you believe this person should be the Teacher of the Month. Please include your name, name of the teacher, and any other pertinent information about the nominee.