June 26, 2007

GCISD Teachers of the Year enjoy Mercedes for the summer
District’s top educators surprised during G-C Education Foundation banquet

Grapevine-Colleyville ISD Teachers of the Year Irene Boynton and Ben Metcalf can be seen driving around town in their new Mercedes-Benz vehicles, compliments of the Grapevine-Colleyville Education Foundation and Park Place Dealerships.

On the last day of school, Boynton and Metcalf were surprised with the news that they were receiving a new Mercedes to drive for the summer. The announcement was made during the Foundation’s annual Academic Recognition Banquet at the Hilton DFW Lakes and was presented by Malcolm Gage, Park Place Motorcars Mid-Cities new car sales manager.

“It seems the Foundation really went out of its way to arrange for something special for this year’s teachers,” Boynton said. “The fact that the Education Foundation found such a unique prize and kept as a surprise made it really fun.”

Janice Kane, executive director of the Foundation, said she enjoys finding new and exciting ways to recognize GCISD educators, and is thankful for the support of community leaders and businesses.

“All our teachers in GCISD are special, and being recognized as the district’s teachers of the year is an honor that we are proud to help celebrate,” Kane said. “This is a wonderful opportunity to partner with Park Place and hopefully start a new tradition for honoring our top educators each year.”

In addition to the vehicles, the teachers received a gift package that includes a summer of complimentary car washes, one complimentary tank of gas each month, tickets to a Texas Rangers game, VIP passes to the Nasher Sculpture Center and passes to the Frontiers of Flight Museum.

Boynton, who normally drives a Toyota Prius, is driving the Mercedes ML 320 SUV. The feature she enjoys most is the navigation system, which comes in handy for someone who admits her sense of direction is “somewhat challenged.”

Metcalf, who normally drives a Honda Civic, is driving the Mercedes C230 sedan. Having never ridden in, let alone driven a Mercedes before now, he is enjoying driving around town for errands and even grocery shopping.

“Everyone involved with this incredible gift has been great to work with, from the members of the G-C Education Foundation to the good people at Park Place Mercedes,” Metcalf said. “It will be hard to part with the car at the end of the summer.”

As the GCISD Elementary and Secondary Teachers of the Year, Boynton and Metcalf also each received a $2,500 grant from the Foundation. Boynton is a reading specialist at Cannon Elementary School and Metcalf teaches AP World and European history at Colleyville Heritage High School.