Taking center stage of the end-of-year rally on May 28, Principal Dr. Barnaby Payne  awarded two impactful teachers for their hard work and dedication, who were voted most memorable by the senior and junior classes. This year’s recipients were

Marissa Peck and Nickolai Butkevich, awarded for their creation of a respectful and inclusive environment, adapting to students’ individual needs, staying culturally relevant and supporting students in all aspects of learning. 

Butkevich, a Redwood teacher for the past 11 years, took a risk when deciding to teach Advanced Placement (AP) African American Studies this school year after the course debuted the previous year, making Butkevich its first Redwood teacher. Butkevich was drawn to the course because it was designed in collaboration with the Smithsonian Museum of African American History Learning Lab and featured many distinguished creators such as Henry Louis Gates Junior, known for his work as director at Hutchins Center for African and African American Research at Harvard University, and a compelling course structure.

“I was inspired to take it on when I saw the design of the course,” Butkevich said. “It’s the best designed course I’ve ever seen. I knew I really wanted this class.”

Due to the course’s rigor and his lack of experience in the field, Butkevich was nervous students may not receive the material favorably. After “putting the scare” into a couple kids about the risk of enrolling in the class, the course ultimately led two periods and 48 students in total.

“I’m just really proud of the students. They took a risk, and they gave me such a wonderful experience. They’re going to be with me for a really long time — it was a really special group,” Butkevich said.

Peck relates to Butkevich’s sense of connection with students, largely through her chemistry courses. A standout moment of mutual respect in Peck’s classroom was during the first lab with this year’s batch of AP Chemistry students.

“Every single student washed and dried all of their glassware and put it back…and that’s the first time in 11 years of teaching that has ever happened [in my classroom],” Peck said. “It reminded me that these kids listened and that they were there to learn.” 

That was just one example of a simple act that captured Peck’s passion for teaching. Before teaching, Peck was a cell biologist. She noted her job felt lonely, however after training post college students to join the job she currently held, Peck found a spark in teaching. Peck attributes her smooth transition into teaching and great experience at Redwood to the other members of the chemistry department.

“I feel so lucky to work at this school. Most new teachers do not have the experience that I have had, and I think that those are the things that have made me love teaching. If it had been the struggle that it could have been, I’m not sure I’d feel the same way about it now,” Peck said. “The other chemistry teachers were so supportive, so helpful and so willing to show me what was going on. It just showed me that all the logistical stuff didn’t have to be dramatic.”

Since then, Peck has developed an understanding that students are at all different levels and places in high school, hoping to make her class a place that feels comfortable to ask for help while also making the class fun and engaging. 

“In the last few years, I’ve tried to be really flexible with students, and I think that students appreciate that. I’ve had wonderful students the last few years that I’ve really connected with and we’ve had lots of fun in class,” Peck said. 

Senior Stella Calhoun voted for Peck after taking her chemistry class junior year. Calhoun felt a safe environment in Peck’s class through her skill to make sure every student was heard and providing one-on-one time to kids who needed the extra help.

“[Peck] was always extremely understanding, which I thought was important for a teacher of upperclassmen, especially while teaching a complex class,” Calhoun said. “I could tell she genuinely wanted us to leave her class with a strong understanding of chemistry and her passion for the subject actually made me want to understand it, too.” 

Their empathy and flexibility have made Peck and Butkevich the kind of teachers students remember long after the final bell. Helping students understand not only the subject but the school environment,is a teaching method Butkevich and Peck share.

“A lot of students with chemistry feel like they’re the only ones that are struggling, so I really try to make it clear that it’s a normal part of the learning process to feel like it’s hard and that’s okay,” Peck said. 

When reflecting on what he wishes he could have told his younger self, Butkevich similarly points out the importance of embracing high school’s hurdles.  “High school is really annoying sometimes [with] the routines and the hoops we have to jump through, but…you just have to do it in order to get to the interesting stuff,” Butkevich said.

Selecting Peck and Butkevich as this year’s North Star Award winners makes it clear that Redwood students value teachers who go above and beyond the subjects they teach; It’s connecting with students, maintaining balance and grace. Most of all, making students feel seen, capable and inspired along the learning process.