June is the month when districts seek for the teacher of the year. In a fun way to think about who is worthy of the award, we interviewed seven teachers, asking whom they would nominate. Below are the answers we got.June is the month when districts seek for the teacher of the year. In a fun way to think about who is worthy of the award, we interviewed seven teachers, asking whom they would nominate.

Below are the answers we got.We ran into Mrs. Laurie Gray, an eighth grade math teacher, to interview for the nomination. She picked Mrs. Susan Marnell, the Chorus and Camerata teacher, saying, “She’s done such an amazing job with Chorus. The students’ performance to me is such a reflection on her, and they – this year in particular – improved so much from the previous years. I was just so impressed with the change.”

We then ran up the stairs and bumped into Mrs. Marnell in the hall, who then nominated her close-to-the-hall neighbor, Mrs. Karen McCormick. “She brings such life and love to our Bedford community through drama,” Mrs. Marnell says. “She works tirelessly, she includes everyone, and – I think – provides the backbone of what becomes Staples Players.”

From there, we entered the drama room to ask Mrs. McCormick about her thoughts on the subject. She nominated Mrs. Kerstain Rao, the Workshop teacher. “She is brilliant, she has a huge amount of energy, and she inspires children with her wit and good humor.”Across the school, Mrs. Rao explained her nomination, saying, “I would nominate Nancy Pennell. She works with seventh graders to help build their confidence and skills. She knows herself well, has a killer sense of humor and a passion for the arts.”

Running all the way across the school to the Feagin Pod, the team interviewed Mrs. Pennell. She says, “I would nominate Mrs. Murray, the mandarin teacher. Mandarin is a completely different language, and she makes it fun by involving art, food and all kinds of cultures.”

Mrs. Murray, a few steps down the hall, nominated Mrs. Deb Perry. “She not only is an amazing teacher, but has a strong sense of community and is always thinking of new ways to draw everyone together in the school. I’m really impressed with her sense of energy and commitment to her students.”Dear reader, we need to stop.

Clearly, it is impossible, even unfair, to make a teacher to pick another. The list can go on and on, but no one can fairly win.

Teachers play a major role in, not just a student’s life, but entire communities. They’re not just the people who assign homework and exams, but genuine activists who impact the world. And they all deserve far more credit than they are given.“We all have kindness inside of us,” Mrs. Perry says. “Teachers all work so hard to bring the individual gifts we have. That’s why it’s impossible to award just one.

Every person deserves a prize.”With their countless acts of kindness shown throughout the Bedford school year of 2016-2017, it is evident they should all be given gold medals. Thank you, teachers!