Pomeroy staff, students share praises about Coach Rey's profound impact on the community

by Marshall Pomeroy Elementary School staff

• Watch a video about Reynard Elzey online now
• Watch the student interviews about his nomination online now
• Watch a PowerPoint presentation created by Pomeroy staff members online now
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“A candle loses nothing by lighting another candle.” Coach Rey is the epitome of this quote -- he leads by example and anyone who has ever been in the presence of Coach Rey leaves feeling inspired and motivated to make a difference in the world and to become an even better version of themselves. Coach Rey has been teaching PE at Pomeroy School for 10+ years. Throughout his years at Pomeroy, he has been more than just a PE teacher to many. To the students at Pomeroy School, Coach Rey is their friend, their mentor, their role model, and the person they trust and look up to the most. Students, families, teachers, staff members, and other members of the Pomeroy community consider Coach Rey to be like family.

In addition to fulfilling his role as PE teacher, Coach Rey goes above and beyond and is willing to help out with extra duties that are outside of his job description, and he does so out of the goodness of his heart. He supports teachers by doing yard duty with the kindergarteners and he also helps to supervise students during lunch time in the multi-use Room. Outside of Pomeroy, Coach Rey also coaches varsity football at Milpitas High School, leading them to become state champions last year.

Coach Rey co-founded a service club at Pomeroy called Club 6. Since the beginning of their service club, they have had over 600 student participants. Coach Rey finds creative ways to get students out into the community in order to improve the lives of others. They have done numerous food, clothing, book, and toy drives. Students have done park clean ups, written letters to soldiers overseas, gathered funds to have water wells built in Southern Sudan, and made animal blankets for the Humane Society. Outside of Pomeroy, Coach Rey also volunteers his time to work with youth in Oakland through the Big Brother and Big Sister program. Reynard does all of this for others without asking for recognition or credit. His generosity knows no bounds. He is actively empowering young lives and he is an inspirational educator.

Coach Rey’s rapport with the students is evident. He makes students feel seen, heard, and valued on a daily basis. He does silly dances which instantly put a smile on students’ faces and he notices when students’ shoelaces are untied and doesn’t hesitate to help students tie them. He acknowledges when it’s a student’s birthday and has a special routine where the entire class sings happy birthday to that student while he makes them dance.

Quotes from some students:
“Coach Rey is very loving. I love when he gives me hugs when I walk by.” - Lina B.
“Coach Rey is so funny! He always makes weird sounds to make us laugh and he always dances around. I love going to PE!” - Maya H.
“Coach Rey is helpful because he teaches us PE and he helps us to exercise. It’s important to exercise and stay healthy.” - Kaashvi J.
“Coach Rey is very nice. He helps me tie my shoes.” - Joanne L.
“I don’t really like to run, but I love going to PE because Coach Rey is there.” - Shaurya M.
“Coach Rey and I have secret hand signals. He is my best friend. - Kabir D.

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The following letter was written by Assistant Principal Deanna Sainten about Coach Rey: 

To Whom It May Concern: I am writing in reference to Reynard Elzey. Reynard is an exceptional educator and I am honored to write a letter on his behalf.

I have known Reynard for twelve years. We have worked together at Marshall Pomeroy Elementary school and co-founded our school’s community service club, which has been in place for ten years. I believe that I am in a position to speak to Reynard’s character and I hope that you will take my letter into consideration.

Reynard is a man of integrity. He leads by example and is a role model to others Marshall Pomeroy Elementary School. Reynard is also a varsity football coach at Milpitas High School, recently becoming state champions this year. Reynard is able to gain respect from students, guide them in positive decision-making, and establishes a mentor relationship with them that lasts for years and years.

Reynard also spends time outside of school coaching young students in a recreational football league and attends numerous sporting events and recitals, when families extend invitations. I often tease Reynard about being the “King of Milpitas,” but the admiration that the community holds for him is so much more than that. Students literally chant his name when he enters the room and they attend school events, just because they know that he is going to be there. Families and students gravitate towards Reynard, because of his strong work ethic, he demonstrates how much he cares about the community, and he serves endlessly for the betterment of everyone. I am so grateful to be able to work with Reynard and I am fortunate to know that if I ever needed anything, he would be there for me without question.

When I first began my teaching career, I know that I wanted to serve beyond my classroom walls. I wanted to start a service club and I enlisted Reynard’s help. He signed on with me right away and since the beginning of our service club, Club 6, we have had over 600 student participants. Reynard helps me to look for ways to get students out into the community to improve the lives of others. We have done numerous food, clothing, book, and toy drives. Students have done park clean-ups, written letters to soldiers overseas, gathered funds to have water wells built in Southern Sudan, and made animal blankets for the Humane Society, to name a few projects. Reynard decided to continue his service beyond the club and works with youth in Oakland through the Big Brother Big Sister Program. Reynard does all of this for others without asking for recognition or credit. His generosity knows no bounds. He is actively empowering young lives and he is an inspirational educator. 

Thank you for taking the time to read my letter. I cannot speak highly enough about Reynard. He is selfless, kind, strong, compassionate, intelligent, and a natural leader. Any student would be lucky to have him for a teacher and I trust him implicitly. Please do not hesitate to contact me if you would like more information. I look forward to any future opportunity to share about the amazing character that Reynard Elzey possesses.

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