In September Warwick Veterans Memorial Middle School teacher Jason Buchanan received an email from the New England representative with EVERFI, a company that specializes in educational software. Buchanan was told about an award through the National Hockey League and the NHL Players Association. 

He filled out the information form, and in January he learned he was a nominee for the NHL/NHLPA’s Most Valuable Teacher Award.

Now he is a nominee for February teacher of the month. If he wins the competition with 19 other teachers it will secure the school a $10,000 grant. 

He would also be entered as a finalist giving the school a chance to win an additional $20,000 for a sustainability grant and $1,000 toward a personal technology device. That award would be announced in May. 

“This would be a great honor for our students, our school, and the Warwick community. Please encourage other members of our school and local community to vote once per day, every day, for the entire month for Mr. Buchanan,” said Joe Coffey, the principal for Vets. 

Buchanan has been a teacher for 27 years. He said he wanted to teach ever since he got his first job as a lifeguard and summer camp counselor. In addition to teaching he is the head coach of the Kent County YMCA Sea Otters in Warwick. He has been coaching for 25 years.

Buchanan has used the EVERFI curriculum for years in his classroom. 

“It started with just STEM activities related to hockey called the ‘Future Goals - Hockey Scholar’ curriculum,” said Buchanan.  “The list of topics has expanded over the years to include financial awareness with  ‘Future Smart’, STEM career exploration with ‘Endeavor’ and most recently courses that cover social emotional, health/wellness and diversity/inclusion topics.” 

As of recently Buchanan said that he has been using the digital l activities as enhancements to his 7th grade science curriculum and enrichment opportunities for his students. 

“The curriculum is digital and self-paced so students can work individually at school and home,” said Buchanan. 

In order to win Buchanan will need to receive the most votes out of everyone in the competition. The online competition runs until Feb. 28. People can vote each day by going to nhl.com/mvt. 

“If I'm lucky enough to get enough votes to win the grant award then I will look to improve the technology of the lab equipment that we use in the science classroom,” said Buchanan. “It would be shared through the entire science department at Vets.” 

Since the voting has begun Buchanan said that he has gotten a lot of support. 

“I really appreciate the opportunity from using the EVERFI resources to possibly enhance the science community at Vets,” said Buchanan. “The support from family, friends, colleagues and especially the Vets community (students and families) has been humbling and exciting at the same time.”