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06-26-2003

Page history last edited by PBworks 17 years, 6 months ago

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.

 

###

 

 

There were 8 finalists and 9 semifinalists selected this year:

 

 

 

Finalists Semifinalists

Dr. Cellastine Pleasant Bailey

 

Springfield Public Schools

Debra M. Carson

 

Everett Public Schools

 

 

 

Roberta A. Camacho, Ph.D.

 

Stoughton Public Schools

Darcy Marie Fernandes

 

Wareham Public Schools

 

 

 

Judi Freeman

 

Boston Public Schools

David M. Harris

 

Wakefield Public Schools

 

 

 

Francis P. Funai

 

Springfield Public Schools

Kathleen M. Hogan

 

Belmont Public Schools

 

 

 

Zach Galvin

 

Natick Public Schools

Elaine Metropolis

 

Peabody Public Schools

 

 

 

Cheryl Christo Hemenway

 

Arlington Public Schools

Susan K. Perron

 

Northbridge Public Schools

 

SiriNam S. Khalsa

 

Springfield Public Schools

Marilyn McLaughlin Poole

 

Belmont Public Schools

 

 

 

Beverly Amaral Tavares

 

New Bedford Public Schools

David James Stubbart

 

Westborough Public Schools

 

 

 

 

 

Margaret H. Woodcome

 

Hudson Public Schools

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