Each school year, MEC recognizes a Middletown public school educator as Educator of the Year for his or her outstanding accomplishments over the past school year. This award is MEC’s way of recognizing our educators' commitment to provide an outstanding education to our students. Middletown’s educators are hard-working, committed and creative professionals – each of whom bring a unique point of view and strategy to elicit the best in their students. Our Educator of the Year is someone who has inspired students, parents, and possibly the entire community through their work to enhance and enrich education in the Middletown schools.

Members of the Middletown community are eligible to nominate a Middletown educator who has done an outstanding job during the current school year. Nominations can be a teacher, teacher assistant, volunteer, mentor, extra-curricular instructor or administrator in the Middletown public school system. Nominations can be submitted by filling out the Educator of the Year Nomination Form, postmarked by April 22nd. It may also be emailed to educator@mecmec.org.

Each year, the award is presented at the MEC Grants Showcase in the Spring. This event is open to the public and the date and time will be posted on this website.

 

2020 Educator of the Year 

Rick Taylor, Gaudet Middle School 7th Grade Social Studies Teacher 

 

Previous recipients include:

2019 - Chyleene O'Connor, Gaudet Middle School Special Educator

2018 - Stephen Ponte, Principal of Forest Avenue School 

2017 - Ronald Dumais, District-wide Technology Educator 

2016 - Joanne Reilly-Chaves, Fourth Grade Teacher, J.H. Gaudet Middle School 

2015 - Richard Sweetman, Chemistry and Meteorology Teacher, Middletown High School

2014 – Kimberly D’Arpino, 8th Grade Social Studies, J.H. Gaudet Middle School

2013 – Michelle Oliveira, PE, Middletown High School

2012 – Kevin Zahm, Science Teacher, Middletown High School

2011 – Josie Brennan-Corey, 2nd Grade Teacher, Aquidneck Elementary School

2010 – Carmela Geer, Community Outreach Director, all Middletown Schools

2009 – Kristen Lyon, World Language Teacher, Middletown High School