June 26, 2003

HEALEY ANNOUNCES TEACHER OF THE YEAR

Springfield High School of Commerce Teacher Honored

Lieutenant Governor Kerry Healey today that announced that the 2003-2004 Massachusetts Teacher of the Year is Melinda A. Pellerin-Duck, a World History, Law, Technology and Resource teacher at the High School of Commerce in Springfield.

Pellerin-Duck, of Springfield, has been teaching for 23 years. She has demonstrated great leadership by implementing programs to support high-risk students preparing for the Massachusetts Comprehensive Assessment System (MCAS) and partnering with Western New England Law School in a program to ensure that her students learn about law issues alongside first year law students.

Healey commended Pellerin-Duck for her commitment to serving students. “Melinda’s continued dedication to the teaching profession has made her a role model for both students and educators alike,” said Healey. “Her willingness to embrace the spirit of innovation and the challenges of reform has made her a standard bearer for educational excellence in Massachusetts.”

Education Commissioner David P. Driscoll also praised the outstanding work of Pellerin-Duck and the other teachers being recognized at the annual Teacher of the Year ceremony at the State House.

“Melinda has an extraordinary ability to integrate curriculum using the world around her to inspire her students to learn,” Driscoll said. “The teachers we are honoring here today are committed to excellence in themselves and in their students.”

The Massachusetts Teacher of the Year is automatically the state’s candidate for National Teacher of the Year. While remaining in the classroom, Pellerin-Duck will serve as an ambassador to the teaching profession by making speeches and conducting workshops throughout the state.

Pellerin-Duck noted that her philosophy of teaching transcends traditional convention so students are challenged to look at their world in a new and innovative way. “If we teach well and provide unforgettable and meaningful teaching and learning experiences, our students will become stewards of their own destiny,” said Pellerin-Duck.

Pellerin-Duck is dedicated to her community and has served as president and board member of the Pioneer Valley Project, which works to empower the poor and disenfranchised in the region. She was selected by the Diocese of Springfield to serve as a member of the National Catholic Campaign for Human Development that fights poverty and advocates for social change.

She holds a Bachelor of Science Degree in History and Social Science from Amherst College and a Master’s of Education in Instructional Technology from Lesley College.

Pellerin-Duck succeeds Jeffrey R. Ryan, the 2002-2003 Teacher of the Year.

Any resident such as a parent, student, colleague, administrator or superintendent may nominate the Teacher of the Year.

For more information on teacher recognition programs, please visit the Department of Education Web site at www.doe.mass.edu.

Please see the attached list of finalists and semifinalists selected this year.

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There were 8 finalists and 9 semifinalists selected this year:

Finalists Semifinalists

Dr. Cellastine Pleasant Bailey

Springfield Public Schools

Everett Public Schools

Roberta A. Camacho, Ph.D.

Stoughton Public Schools

Wareham Public Schools

Judi Freeman

Boston Public Schools

Wakefield Public Schools

Francis P. Funai

Springfield Public Schools

Belmont Public Schools

Zach Galvin

Natick Public Schools

Peabody Public Schools

Cheryl Christo Hemenway

Arlington Public Schools

Northbridge Public Schools

SiriNam S. Khalsa

Springfield Public Schools

Belmont Public Schools

Beverly Amaral Tavares

New Bedford Public Schools

Westborough Public Schools

Hudson Public Schools