Normand Leblanc, Jr., William J. Dean Technical High School
Mr. LeBlanc, Jr. is caring, dedicated, and instrumental in fully including all students in regular culinary shop. He has single handedly been responsible for securing WIA & Shannon Funds. He has been key to obtaining paid positions for our students, which provides valuable work experience. Despite many health setbacks, his attendance is far better than most and he rarely misses days of work. He goes beyond what is expected for Dean’s students and staff and he dedicates much of his own personal time to help wherever needed. |
Justin Cotton, Jr., William R. Peck School
Mr. Cotton has had as significant effect on Peck School. First, there is his work in the math classroom, which is characterized by extremely strong relationships with students, equally high expectations, and constant innovation. He has created a true culture of achievement. His students realized a nearly 70% growth factor on the 2009 MCAS – among the best not just in Holyoke, but also across Massachusetts. Secondly, his equally tireless work on behalf of our students and school outside of the classroom, has led an enormously popular Hip-Hop Club in our after-school program that has played a major role in developing a strong sense of engagement with school on the part of students who have in the past been labeled “troubled” or “at risk”. He has organized, almost, single-handedly, a whole-school field day resulting in major progress in school unification. Mr. Cotton models hard work, dedication, enthusiasm, and – perhaps most importantly – not just the belief that all of our students can achieve at high levels, but also instructional practice whose results bear out this belief.
Josiah Friedberg, Maurice A. Donahue School
Mr. Friedberg is an outstanding educator who demonstrates enthusiasm for teaching at all levels. He works with staff and students incorporating innovative, high interest technology projects that are aligned with the Massachusetts Curriculum Frameworks. He is very flexible with his time and makes himself available to his colleagues in order to accommodate the needs of the school community. He is highly respected by the staff, students, and parents. He clearly stands out as an innovative, enthusiastic, respected professional member of the Donahue School Community.
Carole Gamache, Edward N. White School
Ms. Gamache started teaching in 1968 and has been with the Holyoke Public Schools for the past 42 years. She demonstrates the outstanding qualities of a well-informed and highly qualified professional teacher. She skillfully integrates Science across the curriculum and is a master at classroom management. She has high and clear expectations of all her students and meets their individual goals. She is a great team player, respected by her peers who look to her as the pillar of our school community. She is loved by her students and their parents and continues to be admired by her colleagues throughout the district. She has been the “go to” teacher for help with ANYTHING. She has great empathy for her students and sees the good in each child and helps them know their strengths. She works long hours and has been known to go beyond her responsibilities as a teacher. She has always been extremely sensitive to the needs of her second-language and special needs students. She is also very active and dedicated to the City of Holyoke community as a whole. In conclusion, she is the kind of teacher that so many of her colleagues aspire to be. She epitomizes an “excellent” teacher.
Ana E. Malave, Morgan School
Ms. Malave has diligently and professionally served the students and families of Holyoke at Morgan School. She is a true professional who has dedicated her life to teaching and always refining and improving her own teaching practices, which are already without reproach. She has served in the capacity of Principal of Morgan on an Interim basis, always declining the position permanently as she wanted to be with “the kids”. She sees the need to extend the classroom beyond the walls of our school. Her level of expertise in both languages has afforded many or our students’ insights and exchanges that have enhanced their educational experiences.
Elaine Furtak, Lt. Clayre P. Sullivan School
Elaine has dedicated her entire 40 years of teaching career to the students of Holyoke at the Sullivan School. She has excellent attendance and consistent dedication; has mastered the standards and curriculum. She challenges the students to improve upon what they know and to acquire new knowledge. She is a very had working teacher, this is proven in the amount of time she works outside of school hours, both before and after school and the amount of energy she puts into the planning of teaching of her lessons. She is known for saying, “make the math real”. She works hard to create interesting, real world problems that grab the student’s attention and make it relevant to their lives. She is a valued and respected member of the Sullivan School Community, who goes beyond and above what is expected of her every day.
Susan Cohen, Center for Excellence School
Mrs. Cohen has been teaching in Holyoke since 1974. She is an exemplary teacher who is committed to exploring instructional strategies that support a depth of understanding, particularly with our English Language Learners and learning disabled students. Her ability to reach all learners is her signature trademark and all her students are the benefactors of this rewarding experience. She has great control of her classroom, is well liked and respected by her students and in turn, they are excited to be in her class. She is very committed to her professional development and is always seeking out opportunities to enhance her teaching by learning from others. Her attendance on the job is outstanding. She treats her students with kindness and respect and applies strategies to real life situations, which have a real, connect with our students. She is a highly organized, competent, and dedicated professional. |
