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Mr. Uccellini met Ellis during his sophomore year at Pittsburgh Carrick’s Career and Technical Education (CTE) Carpentry program, and he swiftly noticed Ellis’ strong rapport with both students and teachers. Ellis displayed excellent leadership qualities, and his dedication paid off as he was able to enter the carpenter’s union immediately after graduation.

The teacher’s most memorable moment was when Ellis led about ten students in a fun rap session. Ellis wrote the rap lyrics near the end of class one day, fi lling the shop with laughter and camaraderie.

Ellis’s communication skills and positive relationships with classmates made him the voice of the class. His feedback helped Mr. Uccellini gauge the students’ understanding of the tasks and lessons, providing valuable insights. His presence in the classroom was a signifi cant asset, helping me become a more eff ective teacher by understanding the students’ perspectives better. “I always respected Ellis as both a person and a carpenter. His attitude and approach to learning made teaching enjoyable and reinforced the mutual respect we shared in the classroom.”