BDEA Teacher Rachel Jean Marie Among 12 Honored for Excellence in Teaching

From the Boston Public Schools Communications Office:
Contact Information: Communications, 617-635-9265 or communications@bostonpublicschools.org

June 8, 2009

BOSTON - Mayor Thomas M. Menino today joined Boston School Committee Chairperson Rev. Gregory Groover, Sr., Superintendent Carol R. Johnson and Boston Teachers Union President Richard Stutman to honor 12 Boston Public Schools (BPS) teachers and staff for outstanding service to the children and families of Boston.

The event, held at the Shubert Theatre, celebrates the winners of the Boston Educators of the Year awards and the winners of the Boston Public Schools (BPS) Service Excellence awards.

“It’s especially fitting this year to hold this awards ceremony in the Theatre District, since we are showcasing the stars of the Boston Public Schools,” said Mayor Thomas M. Menino. “We are pleased to recognize our incredible teachers and other outstanding professionals who work daily to support our students and their families.”

“A school community is a complex and interdependent entity,” said Dr. Johnson. “Each and every staff member – from the teacher in the classroom to the school nurse to the lunch monitor – plays a role in shaping our students’ educational experiences. We are delighted to be able to recognize such a diverse group of staff today with our Educators of the Year and Service Excellence Awards, and we thank each of them for their unique contributions to the Boston Public Schools.”

This marks the ninth year that the City of Boston has held the Educators of the Year celebration in conjunction with the Boston Public Schools, the Boston School Committee, and the Boston Teachers Union. Originally known as the Teachers of the Year, the awards program expanded in 2007 to accept nominations for paraprofessionals, guidance counselors, school nurses and others whose work supports the students of Boston. Last year, the celebration expanded further to include the presentation of the BPS Service Excellence Awards, which recognize outstanding service in the areas of customer service and school leadership as well as the presentation of the Michael G. Contompasis “Zeus” Award, named in honor of the former Superintendent and Headmaster of Boston Latin School.

Rev. Groover congratulated the winners and thanked them for their work on behalf of the children of Boston.

“While we are honoring these 12 individuals today, we want to take this opportunity to acknowledge everyone whose efforts on a daily basis contribute to the success of our students, ” said Rev. Groover. “I am sure our winners would agree that the support of colleagues, school leaders, parents, volunteers and other partners is critical to ensuring every child receives the very best education.”

A reception followed the awards ceremony. The 2009 Educators of the Year Awards celebration is sponsored by the Gillette Company with additional support from Blue Cross and Blue Shield of Massachusetts, Liberty Mutual, IBM, and Verizon.