Nominees for 2019 Norwood Teacher of the Year Award Program Unveiled

51 Norwood Teachers Honored for Classroom Innovation and Creativity; Norwood's Teacher of the Year to be Named May 3
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Fifty-one Norwood teachers will be honored for their work in the classroom at the annual Norwood Teacher of the Year Award Reception on Friday, May 3, 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.

This year’s nominee class is the largest ever and represents Norwood Montessori and every school in the Norwood Public Schools system.

​The nominees are:
Balch Elementary: Kimberly Duffy, Sandy Qualter
Balch & Cleveland Elementary: Lawrence Smith
Callahan Elementary: Catherine Breen, Jennifer Barr, Jill Wood, Katie Lambrenos, Michele McAvoy, Sara Ryan
Cleveland Elementary: Christina Beachnau, Janet Palladino, Joy Hughey*, Mary Wesley, Susan Kilduff
Coakley Middle School: Donna Castillo, James Tighe, Julie Bayiates, Kerry Silva, Melissa Levitt, Michael McCarthy, Rachel Siegel, Ravi Sangha, Taymys Scannell, Walter Chambers
​Little Mustangs Preschool Academy: Lauren Grealish, Michelle McCarthy, Teresa Aiello
Norwood High School: Caitlin Nottebart, Christine LaRaia, Jeffrey Loja, Jennifer Orlinski, Kate Danner, Dr. Michael Crowley*, Molly Uppenkamp, Philipp Buhler
Norwood Montessori School: Michael Roehr
Oldham Elementary: Elana Lorance, Kerri Pritchard, Lindsey Meyers Bertone, Meghan Shilo, Stephanie Andrews
Prescott Elementary: Elizabeth Healy, Janice ElBach, Jillian Leonard-Bouley, Niki Orphanos   
Willett Early Childhood Center: Amy Michienzi, Anne Watson, Christina Jenkins, Colleen Reynolds, Meg Corcoran, Patricia Doucette

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.

Jack Tolman, director of TV and video services in the Norwood Public Schools, was nominated by colleagues for his 28 years of work on behalf of Norwood students and teachers, and this year he will also be honored during the event.

Originally conceived by the Exchange Club of Norwood, Orient Lodge now proudly organizes the annual event. In 2018, Cleveland Elementary teacher Joy Hughey was honored as Teacher of the Year among 30 nominees.

* Past winners are 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.