Four NPS educators were awarded the Pioneer Valley Excellence in Teaching Awards for their outstanding work and commitment to NPS students. 

Brandon Castor is the physical education teacher at Bridge Street Elementary.  Brandon was nominated for teaching physical and social emotional development through games, activities and obstacle courses and for providing activities for students with different needs (sensory, temperature).  He brings a smile to kids and staff alike with a kindness and humor that is infectious. Brandon is the recipient os of the New Teacher Award.

Heather Fuller is a Math Teacher at Northampton High School.  She was nominated for meeting students in 9^th grade IM and AP classes where they are and challenging them to stretch their math skills no matter where they start.  Heather engages students to learn the course material by putting thinking tasks onto whiteboards and having students work on them in groups of 3.  This innovation spread throughout the math department, and now it is a consistent practice across all 9 NHS math

Jo-Anne Intrator is a Special Education Teacher at Leeds Elementary.  Jo-Anne was nominated because of her exceptional ability to teach our most vulnerable students.  Jo-Anne is deeply committed to the science of reading, and her belief that children only have one chance to be a first grader and that we should make this experience as rich and productive as possible has shaped many successful initiatives, such as the first-grade reading centers that have had a lasting positive impact.  Jo-Anne piloted a reading program with Smith College and Leeds Kindergarteners around the Science of Reading called, “Ready, Set Read”.

Trina Raucher is a 6^th grade Special Education Teacher at JFK Middle School.  Trina was nominated because of her commitment to relationship building and the academic advancement of all students.  She starts the year off considering each child’s needs and finds the student’s access point to move that student forward in their learning.  The work is scaffolded in such a way that students feel appropriately challenged and valued for their growth as learners.