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Date: 4/11/2023
LUDLOW — Four teachers from the Ludlow School District were recognized for their work by receiving 2022-23 Pioneer Valley Teaching in Excellence Awards.
The annual award honors Western Massachusetts educators for their dedication and excellence.
The four recipients of the award are Emily Conroy, Nicole Carbonneau, Jodi Yarkey and Suzana Seara.
Colleagues nominate recipients based upon the following suggested criteria: excellence in teaching practices, subject mastery and scholarship, effectiveness and creativity, impact on students, support of and positive impact upon other teachers’ practice, participation in professional development, evidence of going above and beyond the classroom and school community.
Each recipient was recognized at the School Committee’s March 28 meeting.
Conroy graduated from Ludlow in 2017 and is in her first year teaching 10th and 11th grade history at Ludlow High School.
Ludlow High School Principal Lisa Nemeth said, “Conroy said in her interview that she has always wanted to be a social studies teacher and I thought it was nice to have someone who went through the Ludlow school system. She was the best candidate and has exceeded tremendously beyond my wildest dreams.”
Nemeth added that when she observes Conroy during her class she is great with technology, lesson planning and relationships with students.
“It seems like she has been teaching for 15 to 20 years,” Nemeth added.
Conroy said she is honored to receive this award and that she is happy and thankful for being recognized.
Conroy added, “It is my dream job. I love the kids and my colleagues. It is great working with former teachers and inspiring kids the way teachers inspired me.”
Carbonneau is in her 20th year of teaching kindergarten at Ludlow Public Schools, first at Veterans Park Elementary School and currently at East Street Elementary School.
She added that she was shocked but honored to receive this recognition.
East Street Elementary School Principal Thomas Welch added, “[Carbonneau] does a fantastic job. She always advocates for her children and has their best interest in mind. She works very well with her fellow teachers and the rest of the staff. When there is a problem, she always come back with a solution or two and I am appreciative of that. She cares deeply about the children which is the most important part.”
Yarkey began her teaching career in Ludlow in 1994 as a second grade teacher at Veterans Park Elementary School before moving to Harris Brook Elementary School three years ago.
Yarkey said, “I am humbled to receive this award and so thankful to be part of this teaching community in Ludlow for many years. I feel blessed to come to this building. I love my students and I am so thankful to be here.”
“This is not her first time being nominated,” Harris Brook Elementary Principal Nikki Reed said, “If she didn’t get it this year I am sure she was going to be nominated year after year after year. She does a great job. She comes in with a smile every day. The students love her, the parents love her. It is well deserved, and I am not shocked she was nominated by her peers.”
Seara is in her 22nd year in education, teaching fifth through 12th grade math. She is currently teaching eighth grade math at Baird Middle School.
Seara added, “I have lived in Ludlow all my life, graduated from high school here and I did not go to school to be a teacher, but it just happened to be faith that I made it back. I love working in this town.”
Baird Middle School Principal Melissa Knowles said, “We are excited to have Suzana as our recipient. When I met Suzana, one of the things she said to me that struck me is she talked to me about students who were rising eighth graders and she said she really wanted these kids on her team next year to make a difference with them. She works tireless with her colleagues and students to make sure they are reaching their maximum potential.”
The four Ludlow Public School members will gather on April 26 at the Log Cabin in Holyoke to celebrate their awards and recognition.
Another Ludlow High School teacher was recognized for her work as a teacher.
Ludlow High School Advanced Placement chemistry teacher Kerry Valentine is one of fifteen statewide teachers selected by Mass Insight Education & Research as a 2023 Partners in Excellence Teacher Award recipient for her exemplary teaching.
Mass Insight honors Advanced Placement STEM & English teachers from across the state who have made a significant impact increasing academic opportunities for underserved students as measured by the success of their students.
Valentine has been teaching AP chemistry for the last four years and said she was humbled but excited to learn about the award.
Valentine and the other recipients gathered at the 11th annual Partners in Excellence Awards Celebration on April 3, at the College of the Holy Cross in Worcester.