Educator Services Career Advancement Recognition Programs
The 1996 Massachusetts Teacher of the Year

Dear Friends,

Established in 1952, the National Teacher of the Year Programis the oldest and most prestigious awards program that focuses public attention on excellence in teaching. The program, co-sponsored by the Council of Chief State School Officers and Scholastic Inc., recognizes and honors the contributions of classroom teachers by granting one outstanding teacher a year's paid sabbatical. During that year, the teacher travels the nation and addresses educational issues with a wide variety of audiences.

The Massachusetts Teacher of the Year Program is administered by the Massachusetts Department of Elementary and Secondary Education. Each year, the program honors a Massachusetts teacher who exemplifies fine teaching in the Commonwealth. The purpose of the program is to select a teacher who is worthy of speaking for, energizing, and representing the positive contributions of all teachers statewide.

The selection process for the Massachusetts Teacher of the Year begins early in the calendar year with a call for nominations. A record 332 teachers were nominated for the 1996 program. An independent panel of experts including past Teachers of the Year reviewed written applications, interviewed eight finalists, and made a recommendation to me for my endorsement.

The following corporations and organizations are supporting the 1996 Massachusetts Teacher of the Year Program: J. L. Hammett Company, Apple Computers, Mid-West National Life Insurance Company, Megatech PC- Build Computer Kits, Microsoft Corporation, UMASS/Boston Graduate College of Education and Harvard Graduate College of Education.

The Massachusetts Teacher of the Year automatically becomes the state's candidate for the National Teacher of the Year Program.

I am proud to present the 1996 Massachusetts Teacher of the Year, Kathleen Sherman of Falmouth, and wish her much good luck & success!

Sincerely,

Robert V. Antonucci
Commissioner of Education

For more information on the program, please contact:

The Massachusetts Teacher of the Year Program
Massachusetts Department of Elementary and Secondary Education
350 Main Street, Malden, MA 02148
781-338-3000

Kathleen Sherman is an inclusion teacher in grades 2-4 at the East Falmouth Elementary School in the Falmouth Public Schools. According to those who work with her, Kathy's determination to provide for the best interest of the child has led her to define her role as "one that meets the special needs of students, parents, other teachers, administrators, and the community." Treating everyone with patience and respect, she makes both children and adults believe in themselves and then achieve at the highest possible level.

Kathy designed and implemented the inclusion initiative at the East Elementary School, the first of its kind in the Falmouth School System. Beginning with a core of five classroom teachers, the model has now spread to all twenty classrooms and six kindergarten sections. As a result of its success, Kathy has been a frequent presenter of workshops on the topic of inclusion.

Kathy's involvement in the schools extends far beyond her work as an inclusion teacher. In addition to serving on Falmouth's math and language arts committees, she has taught workshops on mathematics to both teachers and volunteers, coordinated a Cape-wide poetry contest, helped organize Falmouth's first Family Math Night, and assisted in a training program in Won Way Phonics.

As Teacher of the Year, Kathy is available during the 1995-96 school year to present workshops, seminars, or keynote addresses. Please contact Kathy at 508-540-6655 to schedule a presentation.

Possible Workshop/Speaking Topics

• Inclusion as a philosophy: what does it mean, how to manage
• Flexible grouping for inclusion classes
• Integrating a strong phonetic program with whole language

1996 Massachusetts Teacher of the Year
Ms. Kathleen Sherman, Falmouth

Teacher of the Year Finalists

Ms. Debra Auday, Boxford
Mr. Ron Howland, Reading
Mr. Robert Cuddi, Winthrop
Ms. Alicia Roy, Palmer
Ms. Claire-Marie Hart, Beverly
Ms. Nancy Silva, Plymouth
Ms. Margaret Voss, Marblehead

Teacher of the Year Semi-Finalists

Ms. Clarice Cargill, Foxborough
Ms. Laurie Levin, Needham
Ms. Susan Constable, Medfield
Ms. Joyce Mahn, Canton
Ms. Patricia Doherty, Wachusett Reg.
Ms. Elizabeth Milligan, Franklin
Ms. Mary Devlin, Deerfield
Ms. Jean Marie Page, Rockland
Ms. Linda Fobes, Cambridge
Ms. Joan Shannahan, Stoughton
Ms. Anne P. Gaine, Southbridge
Ms. Christine Trombley, Topsfield
Ms. Debra Hale, Newburyport
Ms. Joan Tuttle, Burlington
Mr. Donald LeClerc, Marblehead
The Working Together Team, Cambridge