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Educator Recognition Programs

1997 Massachusetts Teacher of the Year Brochure

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 Swanton is 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.

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

For more information on the program,
please contact:

Massachusetts Teacher of the Year Program
Massachusetts Department of Elementary and Secondary Education
75 Pleasant St.
Malden, MA 02148
781-338-3000