Nominees for 2018 Norwood Teacher of the Year Award Program Unveiled

30 Norwood Teachers Honored for Classroom Innovation and Creativity; Norwood's Teacher of the Year to be Named May 4

NORWOOD, Mass. -- April 5, 2018 -- Thirty Norwood teachers will be honored for their work in the classroom at the annual Norwood Teacher of the Year Award Reception on Friday, May 4, at 6:00 p.m.

Hosted annually by the Orient Lodge of Masons, the Norwood Teacher of the Year awards recognize teachers for their dedication and commitment to the education of Norwood students. Tickets for the Norwood Teacher of the Year Award Reception are limited and available for purchase for $25. Visit http://norwoodtoy.eventbrite.com to purchase tickets. The reception will be held at the Norwood Masons Building at 76 Day St.

The nominees, representing St. Catherine of Siena and every school in the Norwood Public Schools system, are:
Balch Elementary: Lora Roberts
Callahan Elementary: Carolyn Donovan, Michael Downs, Katie Lambrenos, Christine Morander, Sara Ryan, Jennifer Walsh, Jill Wood
Cleveland Elementary: Joy Hughey, Caitlin Joyce
Coakley Middle School: Stacey Bernritter, Michael Gearty, Katherine Mooney, Mary Katherine Roach
Little Mustangs Preschool Academy: Kelli Bailey, Keri Fredericks, Lauren Grealish, Lisa MacLean, Elena Musto, Laura Tolman*
Norwood High School: Kendra Leavitt, Laura John, Leah Stevens
Oldham Elementary: Catherine Barnicle, Jane Doherty, Caroline Haberlin, Gina Stevens
Prescott Elementary: Janice El Bach
St. Catherine of Siena: Karen Gorman
Willett Early Childhood Center: Colleen Reynolds

All nominees will be honored at the reception, and receive a certificate and a restaurant gift card. One teacher selected by a blind jury will be named Norwood Teacher of the Year and receive a cash award as well as a charitable school donation in their name. Hor d'oeuvres will be served.

Originally conceived by the Exchange Club of Norwood, Orient Lodge now proudly organizes the annual event. In 2017, Norwood High School world language teacher Cynthia Derrane was honored as Teacher of the Year among 33 nominees.

* Past winners not eligible for award selection, but will be honored with all nominees.

About the Orient Lodge of Masons
Founded in 1861, Orient Lodge F. & A.M. is a lodge of Freemasons based in Norwood, Massachusetts and active in many community endeavors. Freemasonry is the world's oldest and largest fraternity, comprised of adult men of good character. Follow Orient Lodge @Orient_Norwood, or visit www.orientlodge.org for more information.