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Reflections
of Award Recipients
On Teaching:
“Teaching
is not just a job for me, but an important part of my life.”
It is an honor to be recognized by colleagues for doing
something that is indeed a labor of love.
The ceremony was beautiful, and I felt privileged to be
in the company of such extraordinary educators.” (
award recipient,1998)
“When
one works in a field where so many people regularly extend
themselves above and beyond the parameters of their job
descriptions, it is difficult to consider anything that one does
as outstanding. However,
I am honored to be one of the Goldin Award recipients.” (award
recipient, 1998)
"Please know that I am very grateful to
be a recipient of the Goldin Foundation’s award for Excellence
in Education. As you predicted, I was overwhelmed by the
perceptions of my colleagues. I hope that I am the educator they
described; it is who I want to be. Also thank you for giving me
the opportunity to think about excellence in education. We say
these words over and over but who really takes the time to opine
what they really mean to us? What a powerful symbol you have
created with the foundation’s title” The Goldin Foundation for
Excellence in Education." (award
recipient, 2007)
“I
think what makes me successful as a teacher is my faith in
students and my ability to get them to ask questions
about their lives. They
seem to see in me someone
who takes them very seriously about
what he’s doing, but who can retain a sense of humor and
perspective about it all. I
hope they think I am a good listener and that I understand the
value of mistakes - I don’t judge them for theirs.
I help them to trust their instincts and to figure out
what they love to do, and then urge them to find a way to do it.”
(award recipient, 1997)
“Thank
you for your tremendous support of education and for giving me
the opportunity to share with and learn from others about this
great profession of ours.” (
award recipient, 1994)
“This
award means a great deal to me.
It is very affirming and also serves to make me want to
do an even better
job.” (award
recipient, 1992)
"I
did not initially train to become an educator, instead I majored
in studio art in college
and
worked several years before deciding to “redirect” myself and
pursue education.
I come
from a family of teacher. It’s my history [and] also my future.
I see a lot in these
kids.
Teaching is about the children, first and foremost;” each child
should be
celebrated as an individual student and person and made to feel
comfortable in a strong classroom community." (award
recipient, 2003)
"I studied
art before deciding to become a teacher. My first year of
teaching at a small
parochial
school outside New Orleans was—to say the least—a difficult one.
It took only a few before I realized that teaching was in my
“true calling,” and I have been an educator
now for
twenty-two years. Teaching is a lot like art. I find that it’s
very creative, it’s
being
able to collaborate with some extremely bright colleagues. I
feel very fortunate to be in Brookline in particular.”
(award recipient, 2004)
Educators Forum:
"I really enjoyed the awards
ceremony. It was such a celebration of teaching. Thank you for
providing a forum that recognizes all that goes on each day as
we work to maximize the potential of all the young people we
work with. I really
enjoyed your visit to my classroom and our conversation. It is
seldom we have the chance to reflect on what we do."
(award recipient, 2007)
“I
find the Educators Forum so inspiring and valuable, because not
only does it honor excellent educators, but it centers me and
reminds me why I do what I do.” (Needham elementary
principal, 1998)
“I
just wanted to let you know how much I enjoyed being part of the
Goldin Foundation Awards for Excellence in Education ceremony
this past week. You and your family have made an extraordinary contribution
to education by acknowledging the work of individuals in the TEC
school systems.” (Superintendent of Schools, 1994)
“It
was very inspiring to
be included in the company of such outstanding teachers at the
Educators Forum. It was both refreshing and interesting to hear their stories.
I learned so much from listening to them.” (award
recipient, 1999)
“Meeting
other winners and learning about the inspirational projects that
are happening in our classrooms was uplifting.
The whole evening was truly impressive.
It was also wonderful having family, administrators,
colleagues ,and friends there to share this special evening with
me.” (award
recipient, 1991)
"The Goldin Award was a great honor, and
the Educators Forum a very special evening. I was so happy
that I could share it with so many friends and family members.
Your award night gives us the opportunity to celebrate all that
is great about education." (award recipient, 2003)
"The
dessert reception was such a special evening, not only a time to
“glow in the lime-light,” but a time to hear and appreciate what
other fellow educators are doing in their classrooms. Knowing
that the hard work we do each day is recognized is a reward in
and of itself; the cash award was an added bonus."
(award recipient ,2005)
The Foundation
"Thank you for each award you’ve so
generously given, for each mile you’ve traveled to do so, and
for bringing people together to celebrate our glorious
profession. What you do is touching so many people’s lives.
With much appreciation of you and your foundation. (award
recipient, 2007)
I’d like to express my thank you and
deep appreciation for your commitment to teachers and public
education. Your passion and kindness are so very heartfelt- the
six of us who received recognition from your foundation are
especially fortunate. It is rare to be singled out and
understood in the thoughtful way you do. I look forward to
continuing my association with you."……………… (award
recipient, 2007)
"I am both honored and humbled to have
been selected as a recipient of the Goldin Foundation Excellence
in Education award for 2006-07. It is a privilege to be
counted among so many accomplished educators. I
thank you for not only the award itself, but also for the work
of the Goldin Foundation in recognizing, supporting, and
encouraging educators and our profession. I am eagerly
looking forward to both your classroom visit and the awards
reception." (award recipient, 2007)
“The
foundation provides an opportunity for us to congratulate,
motivate, and inspire. Having
attended the Educators Forum in the past, I am especially
honored to be numbered among some of the finest educators in the
TEC communities.” (award recipient, 2000)
“Did
I ever begin to think that I would receive such an honor and
especially by my peers.
No one person could have asked for more.
To be among the best and recognized, I shall never
forget.” (award
recipient, 2000)
“Not
only does the Goldin Foundation program support excellence in
education in a large philosophical way, but it is very
meaningful and touching on a person to person level as well.” (award
recipient, 1999)
“It
is the morning after receiving
the Goldin Foundation Award for Excellence in Education,
and we are still dazed. And our colleagues that nominated us....WOW! To be selected by
such an elite group of educators both humbles us and makes us
proud. And after
meeting the other recipients, and hearing some of the names of
past winners, we are deeply honored to be among them.” (team
of award recipients, 1994)
“Thank
you for the marvelous morale boost. Perhaps the Governor and the
Great and General Court should know public school teachers are
valuable.” (award recipient,
1992)
“Everyone
was so gracious and so genuine in their congratulations that I
truly felt the appreciation of my profession as I never have
before. The celebration for
all of us in education whenever one of us is honored is a joy we
should share more often.”
(award recipient, 1991)
"I am especially impressed that two
individuals can make such a commitment to educators in their own
community, Think globally, act locally epitomize your
efforts." (award recipient, 2002)
"Thank you for honoring me. Thank
you, too, for the monetary reward which is being set aside for
special things. Your honoring of educators is unique.
Yes, the Oscars of education, and I am honored to be included in
the list. Thank you for your recognition of a profession
so important to society." (award recipient, 2003)
"There are too few opportunities in
education to acknowledge and celebrate what we do, so your work
is all the more important and appreciated." (award
recipient, 2003)
"Being
recognized by my peers is both the height of humility and the
pinnacle of pride.
Thank
you for making this opportunity for us educators." (award
recipient 2004)
"It's
the most
wonderful time of the year…..” As I begin this letter of
nomination in the
month
of December, I couldn’t resist the quote because the Goldin
Award for excellence
in
Education is an exciting time of year for all educators who
receive so little praise and
acknowledgement for the momentous job they do daily. Thank you
for the opportunity
to
nominate a fellow colleague for this honor and recognition."
(nominator, 2004)
"I also want to express my personal appreciation for everything
the Goldin Foundation is doing to recognize excellence in the
education field. I commend you for making a difference and
helping to boost public attitudes of the profession by
highlighting the many positives." (Principal
of participating school system, 2005)
Being included in a very talented and professional group of
educators was certainly the highlight of my career as as a
teacher. I am honored to be chosen as one of this year’s
recipients. My family, co-teachers and friends were all moved
and inspired by all of the speakers that evening.
(award recipient,
2005)
"I
just want you to know how thrilled I am to be one of the
recipients for this special award. I think back on all the
educators that I know, who have received this honor, and know
that I am in the company of excellence. Thank you! "
(award
recipient, 2005)
Accomplishments
"Thank you so much for
your generosity in providing the events and funding for the
Goldin Foundation. I was greatly honored to receive an award
this year, especially after hearing about the other winners and
realizing that I was in elite company. It is lovely to receive
affirmation that effort expended in teaching is seen as
providing real value and usefulness for my students and fellow
teachers. I think I told you that teaching is a career change
for me and on that I am passionate about. I feel that the
Goldin Foundation award is a tangible sign that I made a good
decision. (award recipient,
2007)……
“The
accomplishments of this year’s recipients were awesome.
You have unmasked and showcased so much talent over these
past ten years. I
am privileged to be part of this distinguished group of
educators.” (past
award recipient at 10th Year Anniversary, 2000)
“We
applaud your idea of rewarding ‘a tangible product or project
that has had a successful impact on others.’
Our new project has involved teachers working with
cooperation with students and community members. We here at
Westwood High have been welcome recipients of your recognition.
Thank you.” (team of award recipients, 1994)
“It
is a wonderful exercise to take time out of the
hectic school day to focus on the contributions of
individual staff members. Our
school is enriched daily by so many excellent and dedicated
teachers. We
appreciate the opportunity to apply for the Goldin Foundation Excellence
in Education Award and
commend you for your commitment to public education.”
(nominator, 1991)
“Because
Goldin believes, “It takes a village,” recipients do not
have to be classroom teachers.
What is key is that recipients are ‘worthy models,’
she said. She
reminisced about the year a Westwood High School team of
teachers and students received recognition for its
Student/Teacher Governance Program which has its own
constitution and legislative council.”
(newspaper article, 2001)
"I
just want you to know how thrilled I am to be one of the
candidates for this special award. I think back on all the
educators that I know, who have received this honor, and know
that I am in the company of excellence." (
award recipient, 2005)
Advisory Board
"Thank you for a
lovely evening -- and the wonderful work you are doing with your
foundation! It is inspiring to see people celebrating
excellence in education!
Thank you for giving me the honor of participating."
(Advisory Board member, 2007)
I would like to thank you for all the
energy, time, and resources that you have put into the
recognition of teachers through the Goldin Foundation. I
thoroughly enjoyed being a part of the Advisory Board, and I'm
looking forward to being a part of it again next year."
(Advisory Board member, 2003)
"I had a lovely time at our Fall meeting. As always very
productive, thoughtful and informative. Thank you so much for
the opportunity to serve." (Advisory
Board member, 2005)
"Thank
you for having the vision to create this wonderful venue for
educators to talk about their work. I always come away from the
Teacher Forum inspired! I'm looking forward to participating
again next year." (Advisory Board member, 2005)
"Thanks to you for putting thought into action. As the
teachers pointed out, there are so few opportunities to
recognize excellence in the teaching profession and aside from
the thanks we get from our students and their parents, peer
recognition is vital." (Advisory Board member, 2005)
Future
I am a firm believer that we need to
share with others what we receive I was so happy to share my
award with some incredible teachers in New Orleans, who have
withstood so many challenges since Katrina. It meant so much to
them for all they have achieved in face of so much. Please
include me as one willing to consult with others especially
regarding community service outreach and geography. (award
recipient, 2007)
I wish to thank you and the
Goldin Foundation for this wonderful honor! I must say that
I’ve been on cloud 9 since the Forum. This award has
reinvigorated me to work even harder for the children in my
class. I so appreciate the recognition. (award
recipient, 2007)
"I am extremely grateful for the
nomination and for the positive award decision of your board,
particularly because education is a second career for me.
Looking forward to more years of service to the children of my
community, I see the Goldin Foundation recognition standing as a
continued impetus to give my best efforts to my teaching.
(award recipient, 2007)
“I
sent my award to my daughter who is beginning her graduate
school career at Teachers College at Columbia.
She will become an Art History/Studio Art Teacher at the
college level - a third generation teacher.” (award
recipient, 1999)
“I
am most impressed with the entire
concept of the Goldin Award.
It has given me, personally, inspiration to continue to
improve myself as a teacher, and in general,
has created an atmosphere of creativity and grass-roots
recognition to the average classroom teacher whose job is so
important but often is forgotten or downplayed.” (award
recipient, 1992)
“
The award will also definitely inspire me in the
future to live up to the high standards that the Goldin
Foundation has embodied in this award. You were probably unaware
that my former student teacher was present for the ceremony.
I know that she has internalized many of the values and
standards and has already begun to incorporate them into her
teaching. Thus,
the influence of your thoughtful and generous act has already
begun to spread to the next generation of teachers.”
(award recipient, 1991)
“My
hope is that the Foundation will not only encourage and support
excellence but will also serve as a catalyst to bring more young
men and women into teaching.”
(award recipient, 1992)
"
I will push for an
education system which focuses more on the acquisition of
knowledge for problem solving and adapting to change, a system
which engages all of its students in active learning."
(award
recipient, 1997) "Thank you such for your
wonderful generosity. Being selected to receive the Goldin
award was the highlight of my 30+ years in education. I
personally plan on staying involved in education in my
"retirement" by volunteering in the Boston schools."
(award recipient, 2002
“Twice
each year in order to gain the required 45 hours of in-service
credit
in
my field of
music,
I must attend the Texas Bandmasters' Assn. and Texas Orchestra
Directors'
Assn.
annual clinics in San Antonio during the last week of July. The
educational
benefits are enormous, but the hotel costs are usually a major
budget problem. Thanks
to the
Goldin prize, however, this summer will be different, and so you
are in my
thoughts. I thank you again for both the award and the
considerable honor, which still
humbles
me.” (award recipient, 2005)
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