North Middle School English Language Arts Teacher Mary Madru receives the Ronald McDonald House Charities of Connecticut and Western Massachusetts Local Hero Award, which recognizes 10 outstanding area teachers each year. Joining her is Ronald McDonald. (Photo by Nick Caito)
HARTFORD, Conn. – Ronald McDonald House Charities of Connecticut and Western Massachusetts has honored 10 area teachers with the seventh annual RMHC Local Hero Awards. The selected teachers from Connecticut and Western Massachusetts have all exhibited tremendous dedication to their profession and outstanding efforts in servicing their schools and communities. The recipients were honored by the RMHC Board of Directors at the Connecticut Governor’s Residence in Hartford, Conn., on Tuesday, October 22. They were joined by Superintendents and Principals from their respective districts and schools, as well as other invited guests including local McDonald’s owners and Ronald McDonald himself. Each honoree was presented with a plaque commemorating their award.
To further recognize each recipient, the RMHC donated a total of $10,000 to area schools through $1,000 grants for each honoree’s respective school.
The local 2013 recipients were Westfield’s Mary Madru, English Language Arts teacher of North Middle School and Lauren Dion, First Grade teacher of Woodland Elementary School, Southwick.
“Our board of directors is proud to acknowledge these exceptional teachers for their tireless commitment and important service,” said Edward Abraham, President of RMHC of Connecticut and Western Massachusetts. “Our RMHC chapter awards grants to local nonprofits that provide a brighter future for children, with a particular focus on supporting education. With the Local Hero Awards, we are able to thank the devoted professionals who help children everyday – our outstanding area teachers.”
Woodland Elementary School First Grade Teacher Lauren Dion receives the Ronald McDonald House Charities of Connecticut and Western Massachusetts Local Hero Award, which recognizes 10 outstanding area teachers each year. Joining her is Ronald McDonald. (Photo by Nick Caito)
Mary Madru has been an educator for over 29 years and her dedication, patience, and good judgment have allowed her to build strong relationships based on trust and respect with her students. Her enthusiasm and ability to go the extra mile for her students has resulted in tremendous praise among students, parents, colleagues and staff. With a Master’s in School Administration, she is dedicated to raising the bar in education among all levels. She encourages her students to help their peers succeed by serving as an advisor for seventh and eighth grade student ambassadors who work with sixth graders on their schoolwork. Mrs. Madru is also a member of the North Middle School’s Crisis Management Response Team, Westfield District Literacy Team and is an advisor for the Student Ambassadors Club, a club that focuses on students providing service to the school and local community. She has been described as a strong, creative teacher with a great sense of humor and exceptional leadership skills.
The 2013 Local Hero Award winners are, left to right, Joan Mastromonaco of East Hampton High School in East Hampton, Conn.; Mary Madru of North Middle School in Westfield; Denise Chabot of Jeffrey Elementary School in Madison, Conn; Alicia Schiavo of Washington Elementary School in Waterbury, Conn.; Robert Rose of Smith Middle School in Glastonbury, Conn; Katie Bevan of Sumner Avenue Elementary School in Springfield; Joleen Pillar of The Gilbert School in Winsted, Conn; Kathy LaPlatney of East Lyme Middle School in Niantic, Conn.; Lauren Dion of Woodland Elementary School in Southwick and Anne Marie Osheyack of Northampton High School in Northampton. (Photo by Nick Caito.)
Lauren Dion has been a First Grade teacher for 12 years at Woodland Elementary School. Her inspiring teaching methods have made her a remarkable leader both inside and outside the classroom. She has an “open-door” policy with students, parents, faculty and staff – parents are welcomed into the classroom to assist students during guided reading and center time and she provides them with a monthly newsletter to inform them of classroom happenings and curriculum to be covered. She serves as a leader among the staff, mentoring other teachers, lending a helping hand to those in need of encouragement and support and currently training in ELA Common Core to help implement the work within Woodland Elementary. Mrs. Dion is an active member of the National Education Association, the Massachusetts Teacher Association and formerly the Negotiations co-chair for the Southwick Education Association. She has been nominated twice for the Grinspoon Teacher of Excellence Award and is an overall outstanding and well-respected educator.
The RMHC was pleased to recognize Mrs. Dion and Mrs. Madru with the Local Hero Award and both Woodland Elementary School Principal Kimberly Saso and North Middle School Principal Christopher Rogers note that the grant money from the award will be put to good use with the teachers’ input.
There is no application or nomination process for the RMHC Local Hero Awards. Instead the local charity works closely with partnering organizations, such as the Connecticut Association of Schools, Connecticut State Department of Education and Massachusetts Department of Education to identify these “heroes” throughout the region.
