Vt. Teacher of the Year finalists named

Valerie Gasco

Pop quiz: Will Vermont's next Teacher of the Year hail from a school in Springfield, Middlesex or Northfield?

http://rutlandherald.com/article/20131005/NEWS02/710059943

Published October 5, 2013 in the Rutland Herald Vt. Teacher of the Year finalists named Staff Report MONTPELIER — Pop quiz: Will Vermont’s next Teacher of the Year hail from a school in Springfield, Middlesex or Northfield? The state Board of Education is set to reveal the answer Oct. 15. Vermont Education Secretary Armando Vilaseca reports the finalists are Valerie Gasco, a grade 6-8 special education teacher at Riverside Middle School in Springfield; Katy Farber, a sixth-grade teacher at Rumney Memorial School in Middlesex; and Luke Foley, a grade 9-12 STAR program teacher at Northfield Middle High School. “These three finalists are symbolic of the many outstanding teachers we have working in our state,” Vilaseca said in a statement. “I would be proud to have them represent all Vermont educators on the national platform.” Finalists were selected from a pool of 49 nominations based on a professional portfolio review, panel interviews and an oral presentation to the state Board of Education. When asked what education looks like, Springfield’s Gasco said: “Education is really about connections and partnerships among students, parents, business leaders, religious and social service organizations, government and schools. Our kids need to know that we all understand their talents and challenges and believe that they can persevere and succeed.” When asked what she advocates for, Middlesex’s Farber said, “As a teacher I have seen the power of leadership, service learning and authentic, integrated learning experiences and believe schools must become more humane, flexible, community-based and creative to meet the diverse needs of students and to retain great teachers.” When asked about his education philosophy, Northfield’s Foley said: “I look to cultivate a dynamic and engaging curriculum that partners an experiential outdoor education model with the community-building components of service learning. My students recognize that their academic experience is not only about learning about themselves, but also learning about what they have to offer the world around them.” Jay Hoffman, an education technology teacher at Frederick H. Tuttle Middle School in South Burlington, is Vermont’s current Teacher of the Year. The coming winner will be chosen after classroom visits set for early this month.