Burt Grossman played defensive end for the Chargers for five years. But lately, he’s been scoring points for students at Hoover High School.
Grossman has been named the 2011 NFL Teacher of the Year for what his coworkers describe as a unique ability to build trust with his students.
He will receive a $5,000 reward and a $5,000 grant from the NFL. The annual award honors former football players turned teachers for their impact on students’ life-skills development and education.
“I have seen Grossman use his unique and effective skills of communicating to students about 'raising their collective bar' personally, socially, as well as academically,” said Andreas Trakas, HHS Vice President and Director of Student and Community Affairs.
“His ability to share his own personal experience in order to develop a connection with some of our most challenging students and building trust and support has been a benefit to our school and community,” Trakas added in a press release.
One of Grossman’s most admirable accomplishments includes taking in a homeless HHS football player to live with him and turning his life around, said Trakas. The student recently accepted a full athletic scholarship to the University of Arizona.
Grossman, who also played for the Philidelphia Eagles, will travel to Washington, D.C. this week for a panel discussion on the value of teaching as a career.
