Press Release  Healey-Driscoll Administration Honors Massachusetts Educators at Annual Celebration

DEVENS — The Department of Elementary and Secondary Education recognized 29 award-winning educators from across Massachusetts at its annual Celebration Honoring Excellence in Teaching on Tuesday, May 7. In addition to the award presentations, attendees saw a singing and dancing performance by Lowell High School’s Sound Impressions.
 
Education Secretary Patrick Tutwiler welcomed the crowd at the Devens Conference Center, telling the educators: “All of you in this room work so hard every day for our students, and we don’t always get a chance to say, ‘You’re doing a great job.’ Thank you for all you do!”

Acting Elementary and Secondary Education Commissioner Russell D. Johnston said educators are often modest about their work: “You are changing students’ lives and shaping our future. Thank you for choosing this profession and for the dedication you have shown!”
 
Deputy Commissioner Regina M. Robinson said it was a night for educators to be seen for their accomplishments both in and out of the classroom and encouraged them to keep shining. “Tonight is about you and recognizing all the work that has brought you here. Congratulations to each of you!”
 
The evening was part of National Teacher Appreciation Week. The Healey-Driscoll Administration has been visiting schools and sharing thank-you messages from state officials and others to influential teachers in their lives. Earlier this week, Lt. Governor Driscoll visited Witchcraft Heights Elementary School in Salem and Secretary Tutwiler visited the John J. Ahern Middle School in Foxborough to thank educators. Governor Healey and Secretary Tutwiler also met with Dani Charbonneau, 2023 Massachusetts Teacher of the Year, and her students from Martha’s Vineyard Regional High School during their visit to the State House. To see the thank-you messages, visit the Executive Office of Education’s X, LinkedIn or Instagram accounts.
 
“Massachusetts is the birthplace of public education, home to world-renowned schools and educators. Every day, but especially during Teacher Appreciation week, I want to thank our hardworking educators for the work they do every day – it does not go unseen and is appreciated,” said Governor Maura Healey.
 
“Our teachers make our schools and state stronger. Educators are superheroes, working towards a better, brighter future for generations to come. Thank you to all of the Massachusetts educators for your dedication and hard work, supporting our students to learn, grow and thrive,” said Lt. Governor Kim Driscoll.
 
The teachers honored during DESE’s event were:
 
2024 Finalists for the Presidential Award for Excellence in Mathematics and Science Teaching:

• Ashleigh Cardarelli, third grade teacher, Dolbeare Elementary School, Wakefield
• Benjamin Ligon, sixth grade science teacher, Chenery Upper Elementary School, Belmont
• Debra Regensburger, second grade teacher, Hemenway Elementary School, Framingham
• Kathleen Shaw, sixth grade math and science teacher, Plymouth Community Intermediate School, Plymouth
• Laura Weiss, second grade teacher, Potter Road Elementary School, Framingham

2023 STEM Teacher of the Year (Patriots Hall of Fame Presented by Raytheon Technologies)

• Nancy Gifford, seventh grade science teacher, Monomoy Middle School (in Chatham)

History Teacher of the Year Finalists

• Jennifer Staysniak, history teacher, Lincoln-Sudbury Regional High School
• Rachel Williams-Giordano, social science teacher, Cambridge Rindge and Latin School

History Teacher of the Year

• Jessica Lander, history/civics teacher, Lowell High School

Milken Educator Award Winners

• Andrew Rebello, principal and assistant superintendent, Diman Regional Vocational Technical High School (in Fall River)
• Michelle (Shelley) Terry, ELA teacher, Plymouth North High School

School Nurse Administrator of the Year (Massachusetts School Nurse Organization)

• Mary Ellen Duggan, district nurse leader/wellness coordinator, Public Schools of Northborough and Southborough

School Nurse of the Year (Massachusetts School Nurse Organization)

• Jacqui Falco, Resource Nurse, Lexington Public Schools

School Counselor of the Year (Massachusetts School Counselors Association)

• Colin R. Moge, school counselor, West Springfield High School

Superintendent of the Year (Massachusetts Association of School Superintendents)

• Barbara Malkas, superintendent, North Adams Public Schools

Assistant Elementary School Principal of the Year (Massachusetts School Administrators’ Association)

• Robert Bielawa, dean of students, Henri A. Yelle Elementary School, Norton

Elementary School Principal of the Year (Massachusetts School Administrators’ Association)

• Brenda Kelley, principal, Morris Elementary School, Lenox

Assistant Middle/High School Principal of the Year (Massachusetts School Administrators’ Association)

• Nicole Manning, assistant principal, West Springfield Middle School

Middle School Principal of the Year (Massachusetts School Administrators’ Association)

• William Fish, principal, Pierce Middle School, Milton

High School Principal of the Year (Massachusetts School Administrators’ Association)

• Andrew Rebello, principal and assistant superintendent, Diman Regional Vocational Technical High School (in Fall River) (also a Milken winner)

Semifinalists for Teacher of the Year

• Jessica Fuller, music teacher, Plymouth Community Intermediate School
• Ashley Jean, seventh grade history/social studies teacher, Parker Middle School, Chelmsford
• Sarah Monica, preschool teacher, Little Colonials Preschool at Shrewsbury High School
• Erin Nerlino, ELA teacher, King Philip High School (in Wrentham)
• Matthew Stanton, history/social studies teacher, Wareham High School
• Nathan Whitfield, math teacher, Cambridge Rindge and Latin School

Finalists for Teacher of the Year

• Maggie Hillman, fifth grade math teacher, Roxbury Preparatory Charter School
• Katie Lee Mansfield, art teacher, Framingham High School
• Luisa Sparrow, special education teacher, Oliver Hazard Perry K-6 School, Boston

2024 Teacher of the Year

• De’Shawn C. Washington, fourth grade teacher, Maria Hastings Elementary School, Lexington

In addition to the attached photo, photos of teachers from individual districts are available upon request. Email Jacqueline.reis@mass.gov. Other photos are also available on the Executive Office of Education’s Flickr account at https://flickr.com/photos/masseducation/albums.

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