Dr. David Hopson
12 Littleville Rd
Huntington, MA 01050

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January 28, 2008

I’d like to thank the Grinspoon Foundation and the other corporate sponsors of the Annual Pioneer Valley Excellence in Teaching Awards. Not only is this a great program that recognizes outstanding educators but it is also an opportunity to reflect on the depth, quality and professionalism of our teaching staff at Gateway.

In an era of ever-increasing requirements and accountability for everyone in education, including student performance, reporting on staff and students to the state, maintaining appropriate copies of ‘public records’ (including e-mail) and the 101 other mandated (but rarely funded) things that the state and federal governments add to our plate each year, it’s nice to reflect upon the candidates for this prestigious program. Last week the leadership team reviewed a total of 14 nominations provided by fellow teachers, administrators and others. I thank each person who submitted a nomination, for what better honor than to be selected for excellence in teaching by one of your peers? The nomination criteria are challenging and explicit and include holding teacher certification; demonstrating professionalism through excellence in teaching practices, professional development, collaboration and cooperation; reaching above and beyond by doing community outreach outside of the classroom/school walls and doing formal and informal volunteer work; having the respect of peers, students and parents; and demonstrating enthusiasm in their position. The nominees were all outstanding teachers who clearly exceeded the criteria.

Six of the nominees were ‘new teachers’—this being defined as being a teacher for less than 3 years. These individuals have proven themselves extremely capable teachers, have easily and quickly acclimated to the district and are shining examples of the professionalism, dedication and idealism required to be ‘stars’ in the world of education. This year’s nominees were Lane Meskevich, Melissa McCaul and Sheila Dingley from Littleville, Catherine Hanks from Conwell, and Heather Dekarski and Melissa St. John from the Middle School. Although each of these teachers is more than qualified to be recognized through the program, we are only allowed to move one new teacher on in the process. As they continue their careers, I’m sure that we’ll see these same names appear again in this or some other recognition program. The 2009 designee in the new teacher category from Gateway is Melissa McCaul.

There were also eight excellent individuals nominated in the experienced teacher category this year. These individuals are outstanding educators and exemplars of what it means to be an excellent teacher. As with the new teacher award category, choosing only two individuals to move forward proved to be challenging due to the quality of each. Those nominated this year were Joyce Hanousek (Blandford/Russell), Noreen Ryan (Littleville), Barbara Piazzo, Donna Sullivan and Heather Cabral (Chester), Diane Uliana and Cheryl Wright (High School) and Joseph Hough (Middle School). From this illustrious pool, the leadership team choose Joyce Hanousek and Joseph Hough to represent the district as our experienced teachers in the Pioneer Valley Outstanding Teacher Award program.

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