Mass teacher of the year awards

WWLP TV

Updated: Jun 18, 2012 6:27 PM

BOSTON, Mass. (WWLP) — It’s called the “Oscars of teaching” – the 2013 Massachusetts Teacher of the Year Awards – a time when the state’s greatest teachers are acknowledged for their work in shaping our kids and the future.

During the program, Governor Deval Patrick shared his love for the teachers that impacted his life. “I credit the good parts of my character to the love that was shown me, attention that was paid, by those teachers in those classrooms,” said Patrick.

Among the finalists was Paula Nickerson Plock, a fifth grade teacher at Williamstown Elementary School.  Molly Tarleton, a spokesperson at Hannaford Supermarkets, said Plock was a leader in her school in reading fluency, comprehension and vocabulary.

“I’m passionate about reading, I think it’s the key to success,” said Plock.  “It’s about students, it’s about them feeling good about learning, about themselves.”

Winners of the 2011 Presidential awards for outstanding math and science teachers across the country were also honored, including a math teacher at Monument Mountain Regional High School in Great Barrington and a science teacher at Springfield Central High School.

“I try to foster students’ curiosity, I think I ask a lot from them, a lot of rigor and we really try to have a lot of fun,” said Naomi Volain of Springfield Central High School.

“What I’ve learned from not only my parents but the wonderful colleagues I work with …is that teaching is about imparting knowledge but it’s also about building a community,” said Kathy Erikson of Monument Mountain Regional High School.

A French teacher at Sharon High School, Kathleen Turner, took home the top honor – Massachusetts Teacher of the Year. Turner will go on to become the state’s candidate for the National Teacher of the Year program.

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