Teacher receives national recognition

EAST LONGMEADOW Birchland Park Middle School Teacher Susan J. Superson was chosen from more than 75,000 nominees for inspiring, creative classroom strategies.

Superson, a middle school special needs teacher at has been chosen to receive the 2006 Disney Teacher Award in celebration of her creativity, innovative teaching methods, and ability to inspire her students.

As one of only 44 Disney Teacher Honorees, Superson receives $10,000 from Disney and a trip to the Disneyland Resort in Anaheim, Calif., for a week of fun and celebration from July 29 to Aug. 3. In addition, Disney awards

$5,000 to Birchland Park Middle School.

"Disney is dedicated to brightening the lives of children and we salute dedicated teachers like Superson for using creativity in their classrooms to inspire children to achieve more than they ever thought possible," said Terry Wick, vice president of Disney Worldwide Outreach. "We hope communities across the country will join us in thanking all their great teachers this week during Teacher Appreciation Week."

Disney Teacher Honorees are selected by their peers and representatives of leading educational associations from across the United States, and former Disney Teacher Honorees. Honorees come from every subject field and every level of PreK through 12 teaching. Superson is one of three Honorees being recognized for special education education.

Creativity is key in Superson1s classroom.

"I teach business basics. The

basic requirements of the class are to create a radio, TV, magazine, and billboard ad, a slogan, a logo, and a business card. One student had a brainstorm and created an Abraham Lincoln figure using a penny for the head, and paper and pipecleaners for the top-hat and body. That was the day 'PennyPals' were born," Superson explained. "Each student became the creator of his or her own unique PennyPal. We took special orders from students and teachers and advertised via our school TV studio. We made quite a bit of money which we donated to a local charity."

"My students have a brilliant sense of irony and satire that always makes me laugh. Also, their energy level is contagious. I am never bored," Superson added.

The Disney Teacher Awards do not simply honor one teacher, they also make an investment in that teacher's educational community. In addition to the monetary awards, Disney will also fly Superson and her principal to the Walt Disney World Resort in Orlando, Fla., in October for a six-day professional development institute where they can refine their own innovative teaching approaches by sharing ideas and learn how to engage other teachers to build an effective collaborative teaching culture at their school.

Once they return, Superson and her principal will work with experts from the Center for Collaborative Education in Boston to design a schoolwide plan for making teaching more effective. Superson will take a leadership role, educating her fellow teachers in the creative techniques that have made her so successful at connecting with students.

"I am looking forward to implementing things I learn from Disney's professional development into my own curriculum," Superson said. "I design several programs for my school and already welcome the opportunity to coach others in the methods I will learn."

In a letter to Disney, Kathleen Hill, principal at Birchland Park Middle School, said, "Susan has devoted her energies tirelessly to the improvement of curriculum, school and district-wide programs, and student achievement. Susan exemplifies what is good about American education and the American teacher."

During the week of celebratory events in Anaheim, five exceptional teachers will be chosen from the 44 Honorees. Four Outstanding Teachers and one Disney Teacher of the Year will receive an additional $15,000 from Disney.

"I never stop wanting to learn about things that others did in the classroom that were a great success. I think when enthusiastic educators get together, something great can be achieved," Superson said.