East Teacher Patrick Coffey Wins Mensa Teacher of Year Award

Not only did Brookfield East High teacher Patrick Coffey make international relations a compelling course, but student Melinda Mastel said he inspired her to help make a difference wherever she can.

"Mr. Coffey's approach to International Relations classes has sparked my interest in world cultures, mobilized my volunteerism, and set my future career path," Mastel, 14, wrote in her nomination of Coffey for Mensa's 2011 Distinguished Teacher of the Year.

The Mensa Education and Research Foundation agreed Coffey has positively impacted Mensa students such as Mastel.

The foundation chose him as the sole recipient of the Teacher of the Year award and presented the plaque and check for $250 to Coffey at this week's Elmbrook School Board meeting.

"His energy and dedication, along with his experience teaching abroad and positive attitude, show that he is genuinely interested in enhancing students' education, which garners respect from his students," Mastel wrote in her nomination.

Coffey said he was humbled by the recognition for doing a job he loves and feels fortunate to do every day.

"It's awkward a little bit to be up here," he said. "By nature, as teachers we work as a team.... all of us work together.

"I've been so fortunate to work in a district, to have colleagues, to have parents, to have students, to have administration all working together to allow me to work at a job that I love," Coffey said.

He has taught courses such as AP European History, AP U.S. History and International Relations, leads East High's Model United Nations Club and is president of the Elmbrook Education Foundation.

Elmbrook School Board President Tom Gehl called Coffey an incredible educator and man, urging parents to encourage their students to sign up for as many of Coffey's classes as possible. Gehl, a history buff, said he was jealous that his own children, who attend and will attend Brookfield Central, won't have the chance to take Coffey's courses.

Later in the board meeting, Village President Neil Palmer whose children graduated from Brookfield East, also praised Coffey as a wonderful teacher.

Coffey said he looked forward to continuing to promote East and Elmbrook.

"We are really solid where we are right now and I really feel good about where we're heading," he said.