Anne Cullen Prize for Teaching Excellence

Hosted by the Holyoke Public Schools

Anne Cullen was a dedicated teacher of Holyoke Public School students for thirty years. Throughout her career as an educator, she exhibited a consistent commitment to strive to give the best to all of her students.

In honor of her example, the Anne Cullen Prize for Teaching Excellence recognizes outstanding teachers in Mathematics and other disciplines. Award recipients exemplify and embody the belief that all students can achieve success. Educators chosen for the Anne Cullen Prize will lead classes as part of the Holyoke Public Schools’ Anne Cullen Vacation Academy, a program designed to provide targeted, small-group support for HPS students who are approaching academic proficiency in math.

Any educator from across the country is eligible to apply, although preference will be given to HPS educators. In addition to an honorarium, Anne Cullen Prize awardees will participate in collaborative planning and professional development. The opportunity provides motivated and successful educators the chance to share best practices with their fellow awardees. Most importantly, this award recognizes excellence in teaching and provides students with an extra week of high-quality, small-group instruction.

Early Application Deadline Application - Receive priority consideration

January 16, 2018

Second Second Application Deadline

February 13, 2018

Applicants will be required to submit a sample teaching video and corresponding reflection. More details will be communicated directly to the applicant within 2 days of submission of TalentED application.

April 16-20 (Math Academy)

Mandatory Saturday PD in late March or early April. The PD dates will be announced by January 16.  

Awardees will spend one week teaching in Holyoke, where they will:

• Deliver high quality instruction during the vacation academy
• Share best practices with colleagues
• Participate in professional learning and share best practices with colleagues

New Anne Cullen Prize recipients will receive the following:

• Competitive honorarium awarded based on teaching experience
• PD weekend at UMass Amherst
• Award presented at a recognition ceremony
• Curriculum accompanied with planning support
• Opportunities for coaching, feedback and collaboration during the week of program

Description:

• Meet and instruct assigned classes in the locations and at the times designated.
• Plan a program of study that, as much as possible, meets the individual needs, interests, and abilities of the students and employs a variety of instructional techniques and media.
• Create a classroom environment that is conducive to learning and appropriate to the maturity and interests of students.
• Guide the learning process toward the achievement of curriculum goals and – in harmony with the goals – establish clear objectives for all lessons, units, projects and the like to communicate these objectives to students.
• Strive to implement by instruction and action the district’s philosophy of education, instructional goals, and objectives.
• Assess the accomplishments of students on a regular basis and provides progress reports as required.
• Maintain accurate, complete, and correct records as required by law, district policy, and administrative regulations.
• Strive to maintain and improve professional competence.
• Other duties as assigned.

Qualifications -- Experienced Teacher Award (3+ years)(Stipend $2600)

• Bachelor’s Degree with appropriate certification
• At least three years of full-time teaching experience
• Commitment excellence and academic success for all students
• Experience working in an urban setting, preferred
• Experience working with diverse student populations, preferred
• Ability to read, interpret, and apply student performance data to instructional planning and execution
• Strong written and verbal communication skills; excellent teamwork skills
• Bilingual applicants (Spanish) strongly encouraged to apply

Qualifications -- New Teacher Award (1-3 years) (Stipend $1850)

• Bachelor’s Degree
• At least one year of full-time teaching experience
• Commitment to excellence and  academic success for all students
• Experience working in an urban setting, preferred
• Experience working with diverse student populations, preferred
• Ability to read, interpret, and apply student performance data to instructional planning and execution
• Strong written and verbal communication skills; excellent teamwork skills
• Bilingual applicants (Spanish) strongly encouraged to apply

Required license(s):

• Elementary, 1-6  OR Math, 5-8 (Other licenses may be considered with relevant experience)