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		DEPARTMENT OF EDUCATION: VERMONT TEACHER OF THE YEAR AND OTHER EDUCATOR/PROGRAM RECOGNITION AWARDS (Updated 10/19/09)     This page contains Vermont Teacher of the Year and other educator awards as well as awards given in recognition of exceptional programs and activities taking place in Vermont's schools. Vermont Educators Talent Pool Vermont Teacher of the Year Vermont Teacher of the Year Nomination/Application Milken Educator Award (Updated 10/19/09)     VERMONT EDUCATORS TALENT POOL       The State of Vermont maintains a file of emerging classroom leaders that consists of a cadre of distinguished teachers and principals. These educators may be considered for membership on advisory boards and task forces, as well as candidates for special recognition programs. Your recommendations will identify educators who will be of great value to your community and state and who may also ultimately receive prestigious recognition. We ask that you keep this recommendation confidential and do not share it with the individual. Contact Jill Remick at (802) 828-3154 or jill.remick@state.vt.us for more information.   Letter from Commissioner Vilaseca Talent Pool Recommendation Form Talent Pool Recommendation Form     VERMONT TEACHER OF THE YEAR FOR 2010       The mission of the Vermont Teacher of the Year Program is to promote the profession and recognize the best teaching professionals who are implementing "best practices" within classrooms. Vermont’s recipient represents the many excellent teachers in our state. Each year a teacher from Vermont’s education community is recognized as the Vermont Teacher of the Year. The Teacher of the Year is chosen through a thorough application and selection process. In accordance with national guidelines, Vermont chooses a candidate who is "dedicated and highly skilled, a candidate proven capable of inspiring students of all backgrounds and abilities to learn." Because the Teacher of the Year will be asked to travel, speak on behalf of education and demonstrate master teaching skills, the candidate must be poised, articulate and energetic in order to meet the demanding responsibilities. Although the teacher will continue to teach full time during this year, s/he is available for speaking engagements and content consultations in her/his area of expertise when possible. The Vermont program is sponsored by Hannaford Supermarkets and the Vermont Department of Education. The Vermont Teacher of the Year also becomes a candidate for the National Teacher of the Year award. For more than 40 years our nation has honored teachers with the National Teacher of the Year Program. The National Teacher of the Year Program is a project of the Council of Chief State School Officers and sponsored by ING Foundation.       Vermont Teacher of the Year for 2010: Craig Divis, Bellows Falls Union High School Craig Divis has been a Social Studies teacher at Bellows Falls Union High School since 2004. He currently teaches World Cultures, World History, A.P. European History, and Senior Seminar. Craig grew up in Ohio, graduating from Miami University, before moving to Vermont. It was at Miami University that he first was introduced to the power and importance of international education as he completed his student teaching in Germany and also traveled to Vietnam as part of his Senior Capstone course. These experiences helped to shape his philosophy of education as they opened his eyes to new ideas and ways of thinking and learning. Since he began teaching, Craig has been a strong advocate for global education, and sees the need to internationalize education in all aspects. He believes course offerings should be more globally-based and more realistic, introducing not only more relevant foreign language offerings in high school, but also starting at the elementary level. Divis also believes global education can’t take place only in the traditional classroom. He sees a need to offer more web-based courses, study abroad, student/teacher exchange programs, and more web-based discussion and work.     On top of focusing on global education in his classroom, Divis also works as a teacher with the Governor’s Institute on Asian Cultures, and has participated in numerous international professional development programs and graduate courses in China, Japan, Namibia, Kenya, Germany, and beyond. He feels having the opportunity to teach and study in various cultures around the world has made him a much more well-informed and globally-based teacher, and has influenced his students to take advantage of study abroad programs and globally-based courses of study.    Craig is available to provide advice and resources to teachers and schools interested in improving their focus on global education. Should you wish to visit his school and observe his classes, please call Bellows Falls Union High School at (802) 463-3944 ext. 263. The 2010 alternate Teacher of the Year is Stacey Endres, a language arts and social studies teacher at Milton Middle School. Terry Frey, a music teacher in Windsor at the State Street School and Windsor High School, was the finalist.       The 2009 alternate Teacher of the Year is  Kathryn Grace, a special educator at Founders Memorial School. The other finalist were Sandra Frizzell, a language arts teacher at North Country High School and Dr.  Jonathan Rice, a science teacher at Green Mountain Middle/High School.       Hannaford Brothers Company is a partner with the Vermont Department of Education in sponsoring the state’s Teacher of the Year program. The company helps support a dinner to celebrate the excellent work of many teachers in Vermont.       Vermont Teacher of the Year Nomination Form & Application Form for 2010 The nomination and application process for the 2010 cycle is closed as of March 16, 2009. The following forms are provided for informational purposes ONLY: Vermont Teacher of the Year Nomination Form for 2010 (CLOSED) Vermont Teacher of the Year Application for 2010 (CLOSED)     MILKEN EDUCATOR AWARDS (Updated 10/19/09)       The Milken Family Foundation National Educator Awards program provides public recognition and financial rewards to elementary and secondary schoolteachers, principals and other education professionals who are furthering excellence in education. By honoring outstanding educators, the program strives to attract, develop, motivate and retain talented people to the challenge and adventure of teaching. For more information, visit mff.org. 2009 Milken Family Foundation National Educator Award for Vermont (Added 10/19/09) Tom Sabo, a Biology teacher at Montpelier High School, was surprised at an all-school assembly on Friday, October 9, 2009 with a $25,000 Milken Family Foundation National Educator Award. Governor James Douglas presented the award. Commissioner Vilaseca explained the award, and Principal and Acting Superintendent Peter Evans convened the visit to the school without disclosing the true purpose, as required by Milken. An educator at Montpelier High School for 13 years, Sabo is being recognized for his dedication to bring science to life. He was instrumental in getting a solar greenhouse at the school, which is used as a classroom for hands-on learning, as well as for growing fresh vegetables which are served throughout the school district. Food scraps are then composted at a local farm, and brought back to the school as soil. The greenhouse is integrated into the Biology curriculum throughout the grades. He is considered a statewide leader on teaching about sustainability. As noted in his nomination, “Tom exemplifies the transformative teacher leader who is so critical to reshaping teaching and learning for a green future.” In an article on examiner.com, he was introduced as “the high school teacher every parent wants for their child.” Press Release: Montpelier Educator Awarded $25,000 from Milken Foundation Video of Tom Sabo Receiving the Award Clicking this link will open a video on the New England Cabel News (NECN) Web site. Milken Family Foundation National Educator Award: Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ) For more information on the Milken Family Foundation National Educator Awards in Vermont, please contact Jill Remick at (802) 828-3154 or jill.remick@state.vt.us.             Department of Education: Awards | Calendar of Events | Current Initiatives Organization of the Department Vermont Education in the News
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