20th annual Teacher of the Year coming soon

The Norwood Orient Lodge of Masons is hosting the 20th annual Teacher of the Year Awards this April, and there are still a few days left to nominate your favorite educator.

Lodge Secretary Brother Steve Sheeky said the only criteria is that you must be an educator in Norwood – a teacher in any of the public, private or parochial schools in Town – and must not have won the award in the previous year.

“We’re in the middle of it right now actually,” he said. “It’s also open to administrators as well, so if an administrator is nominated by a parent or other teacher, that’s fine too. That’s basically the only thing.”

Sheeky said the program is designed to honor and uplift Norwood’s teachers, and is completely volunteer-driven. Sheeky said they are also currently seeking nominations and volunteers to help judge when that part comes into play.

“Right now we’re in the nominations process, and on March 26 we’ll begin the first round of judging, which is done by both lodge members and community members,” he said.

Sheeky said last year’s winner, Moriah Holmes, was a somewhat bittersweet moment. Holmes had inadvertantly become the center of a debate in Town, as the schools had been under a lot of pressure to tighten its budget belt ahead of Town Meeting.

For those who don’t know, the Town currently has a structural budget deficit of about $7 million that it has been plugging each year with free cash. Budget hawks have been pressuring the schools and the Town to cut back where they can, and Holmes’ Latin courses at the High School had small enrollment and found its way on the chopping block.

During that time, Holmes students and parents spoke up at School Committee meetings and a campaign to save the Norwood High School Latin program gained a lot of attention. It was ultimately unsuccessful, but Sheeky said Holmes’ professionalism and dedication to her students was readily apparent to the judging committee.

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“She had several nominations, including photos and video entries, and she ended up winning last year,” he said. “It was really satisfying to see her get it because she definitely earned it.”

This is also the 20th anniversary of the awards program, and Sheeky said past winners are invited to come and mingle, and all residents are invited if they so choose.

For tickets, more information and to nominate your favorite educator, go to https://tinyurl.com/99z2t5u6