Mary Byrne
The Foundation for Belmont Education will recognize eight Belmont Public Schools educators later this month for their excellence in the classroom and for “consistently making a difference in the lives of Belmont’s students.”
“The best part of it, for me, is that students and… parents are reaching out about the teachers who are impactful on their students’ lives,” said Melissa McKenna, president of the Foundation for Belmont Education, which presents the awards each year. “That’s not something we influence or the administration influences; it’s coming from the people who are directly impacted.”
Students, parents, colleagues, and community members nominate recipients each year. The Outstanding Teaching Award Committee then reviews the nominations. The only criterion is that the nominee must have taught in the district for at least three years.
2024 Honorees include
- Joshua Streit, Belmont High School social studies teacher.
- Brenton Lussier, Belmont Middle School math teacher.
- Sara Carson, Chenery Upper Elementary School music teacher.
- Kendra Nnyanzi, Wellington Elementary School teacher.
- Catherine Monnin, Winn Brook Elementary School teacher.
- Molly Quinn, Butler Elementary School social worker.
- Wendy Hurwitz, Burbank Elementary School teacher.
Gregory Bruce, a Belmont High School special education teacher and coach of the boy’s rugby team, was named the recipient of this year’s S. Warren Farrell Award for Educational Excellence.
“We get to go around and surprise all the teachers with their win, which is such a highlight,” McKenna said. “It’s really a fabulous thing to get to see their faces and see the faces of the students in their classroom when they learn they’ve won.”
Burbank Elementary School teacher Wendy Hurwitz said she was a bit confused but emotional when foundation members surprised her in her classroom earlier this month. She’s worked as a Burbank teacher for 15 years.
“It feels like such a privilege and an honor,” she said.
Joshua Streit, who has taught at Belmont High School for 16 years, said it was “very humbling” to be recognized.
“It, of course, feels nice to be recognized, but honestly, I’m so thankful to be working in this school with such amazing educators,” he said. “It’s amazing to be recognized, but there’s so much great teaching and educating going on in this building, and everybody is so deserving.”
Molly Quinn, a social worker at Butler Elementary School for the past five years, said the recognition is particularly special, knowing it comes from parents, families, and colleagues.
“It’s one thing for folks who are further removed from the work to recognize it, but people working alongside you … makes the award so special and meaningful,” she said.
A ceremony will be held on April 29 from 6 to 7 p.m. at the Chenery Upper Elementary School auditorium. The celebration will include cookies and light refreshments.
Outstanding Teacher Award Winners and the S. Warren Farrell Award for Educational Excellence recipients receive $300, largely contributed by the Belmont Savings Bank Foundation, which sponsors the Outstanding Teacher Awards and Recognition Ceremony each year. Sen. Will Brownsberger will present the winners with an official citation at the ceremony.
“It’s important to recognize the teachers who are making a difference in students’ lives,” said McKenna.
