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Dear Friends,
Teaching is both an art and science, the most difficult and most rewarding of careers. While all classroom teachers should be recognized on a daily basis, the National Teacher of the Year Program>is the oldest and most prestigious awards program that focuses public attention annually on excellence in teaching. Since 1952, the program (co-sponsored by the Council of ChiefState School Officers and Scholastic Inc.) has recognized and honored the contributions of classroom teachers by granting one outstanding teacher a year's paid sabbatical. During that year, the teacher travels the nation and meets with a wide variety of audiences to address educational issues.
The Massachusetts Teacher of the Year Program is administered by the Massachusetts Department of Elementary and Secondary Education. Each year (since 1960 when
Massachusetts joined the program) 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 and energizing the teaching profession, and representing the positive contributions of all
teachers statewide. The Massachusetts Teacher of the Year automatically becomes the state's candidate for the National Teacher of the Year Program.
The selection process for the Massachusetts Teacher of the Yearbegins early in the calendar year with a call for nominations - this
year, 298 nominations were received. 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 consideration and endorsement.
The following corporations and organizations are supporting the 1997 Massachusetts Teacher of the Year Program: J.L. Hammett Company; Apple Computers; College Fund Division of UICI; Microsoft Corporation; UMASS/Boston Graduate College of Education; Massachusetts Teachers Association; and Harvard Graduate College of Education.
I am proud to present the 1997 Massachusetts Teacher of the Year, Leonard Swanton of Lexington, and wish him much energy and success in the year ahead.
Sincerely,
Robert V. Antonucci
Commissioner of Education
1997 Massachusetts Teacher of the Year Leonard Swanton with his first two teachers - his parents Leonard H. and Louise.
| Leonard Swantonis admired by the entire Estabrook School community in Lexington where he teaches
fifth grade. A ten year veteran, Len inspires students, parents, colleagues and administrators with his wisdom, his warmth, and his passion for learning. |
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Len's classroom reflects his training in the British model of integrated learning. Students study topics from every conceivable direction to help them
see how the concepts relate to their lives. An example of this is the interdisciplinary unit "Egypt and Zimbabwe: Two Dimensions of Africa," which
he developed following a summer of intense research and study in the two countries as a Fulbright-Hays Scholar. Students' artwork, reading, math,
social studies and writing all centered around ancient and contemporary Africa, with a focus on eliminating cultural stereotypes and misinformation about the
African people. The unit, which included on-line communication with two men kayaking on the Nile, culminated with "Tales from Africa: Stories from Afar,"
four one-act plays from various African cultures followed by a banquet of foods indigenous to regions throughout Africa.
Leonard's outstanding abilities as a teacher were recognized early in his
career. He was awarded the first Dorothea J. Kunde Award for Excellence in
Teaching from Framingham State College where he received his undergraduate
degree. In addition to his selection as a Fulbright-Hays Fellow, he is a
current nominee for the 1996 Presidential Award for Excellence in Math and
Science Teaching.
As Teacher of the Year, Len is available during the 1996-1997 school year to present workshops, seminars, or keynote addresses. Please contact Len directly at 508-461-0844 to schedule a presentation.
Possible Workshops/Speaking Topics
- The Topic Approach to Learning
- Adapting Curriculum Goals to Meet the Needs of Diverse Learners
- Egypt and Zimbabwe: Investigating Ancient and Contemporary African Cultures with Elementary and Middle School Students
- From Sophocles to Shakespeare: Exploring and Performing Classic Theater in the Elementary Grades
1997 Teacher of the Year
Leonard Swanton, Lexington
Finalists
Pamela Chomsky-Higgins, Reading
Stephanie Hamel, Needham
Elaine Jastrem, Mansfield
Eileen Madaus, Newton
Marcia McCarthy, Quincy
Maurice Perlman, Holliston
Gayle Winn, Sharon
Semi-Finalists
Wiet Bacheller, Vineyard Haven
Sharon Watson Beck, Boston
Corinne Collar, Revere
Mary Lou Costello, North Andover
Diane Diamond, Wellesley
Sandra Discepolo, Norwood
John Kent, Greater Lowell Voc.-Tech.
Richard Marchand, Shrewsbury
Joseph Nigro, Holliston
Marie Pratt, Longmeadow
Past Massachusetts Teachers of the Year
1996 Kathleen Sherman, Falmouth
1995 Jerry Howland, Boston
1994 Virginia Freyermuth, Duxbury
1993 Steven Levy, Lexington
1992 Ronald Adams, Quincy
1991 Charles Sposato, Framingham
1990 Molly Murphy, Brookline
1989 Marjorie Montgomery, Newton
1988 James McDermott, Worcester
1987 Margot Desjardins, Westport
1986 Donna Viveiros, Fall River
1985 Francis Smith, Wayland
1984 Cathleen Hughes, Scituate
1983 Donald Pottle, Shrewsbury
1982 Joseph Kelly, Lexington
1981 Margaret Campbell, Longmeadow
1980 Marta Valdes, Boston
1979 Rita Croteau, Worcester
1978 Olive Craigwell, Boston
1977 Martin Badoian, Canton
1976 Barbara Boschert, Worcester
1975 no selection
1974 Thais Waldron, Reading
1973 Marcia Hayes, Boston
1972 Marcia Fowler, Ipswich
1971 Robert Anastas, Framingham
1970 Lucille Thimblin, Tantasqua Reg.
1969 Ruth Doorly, Westwood
1968 Neil Fitzgerald, New Bedford
1967 John Moulton, Brookline
1966 Leah Benway, Southwick
1965 Vivian Little, Hampden-Wilbraham
1964 Edna Penwarden, Arlington
1963 no selection
1962 Lottie Perry, Norton
For more information on the program,
please contact:
Massachusetts Teacher of the Year Program
Massachusetts Department of Elementary and Secondary Education
350 Main St.
Malden, MA 02148
781-338-3000
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