October Winner: Stephen Murray
Dr. Stephen Murray is the Director of Music at Notre Dame Academy in Worcester, MA, an independent Catholic school for girls grades 7-12. Murray directs the school's Chamber Chorale and Glee Club, teaches Honors Music Theory, Music History, and Arts Rotation Music courses. He is also the music director for the school's spring musical. He began teaching at Notre Dame Academy in 2024, but has been a Massachusetts Music Educator since 1985. When not teaching, he writes musicals and plays for student performers.
November Winner: Jennifer Pepe
Mrs. Jennifer Pepe
Bay Path Regional Vocational Technical High School
English Language Arts Moderate Special Needs Teacher grades 9-12 and Yearbook Advisor
December Winner: Nicole Pagan - Mrs. Pagan is a third-grade teacher at our elementary school who cares deeply about her students—both academically and personally. She takes the time to teach not only the curriculum, but also kindness, confidence, and self-respect.
Our children spend more hours each week with their teachers than with us, so knowing that my third grader is thriving academically and growing as a 9-year-old girl is incredibly comforting. Mrs. Pagan teaches her students to love themselves and care for one another, all while making learning fun and exciting.
My daughter absolutely loves going to school every day, and I love sending her, knowing she is receiving the support, encouragement, and loving guidance she needs as a child—along with that wonderful academic push."
January Winner: Diana Rogier
Diana Rogier (Ms. Rogier)
6th grade math/science teacher
Robinson Middle School
Lowell, Massachusetts
February Winner: Laurie DiCicco is a Preschool/PreK special education teacher who drives 2 hours a day back and forth to work. She loves her job and students and works extra hours outside of school day to meet student’s needs, plan lessons, collect and organize assessment data, and attends RULER training to then present as professional development to staff.
Laurie works well with families to best meet students’ needs. She sends monthly newsletters and family projects so families can be part of their children’s learning and has taught for 25+ years!
March Winner: Mr. Steven Vincent has truly transformed learning for my daughter and her classmates. He makes school fun, engaging, and meaningful in a way that few teachers do. He goes above and beyond to create hands-on lessons that bring learning to life. He doesn’t just stand at the front of the room and lecture. Instead, he gets the kids moving, thinking, and experiencing.
While many teachers simply teach what is required, Mr. Vincent teaches in a way that sparks curiosity, passion, and joy. He is beyond deserving-of Teacher of the Month.
April Winner: Stephanie Baruth (No photo available) My daughter Stephanie is a special needs teacher at Leicester Elementary School, Rise One For Special needs children, some with severe disabilities to moderate, She's been with them a long time now, and I'm so proud of her because it's such a challenge and a really tough job, but she never complains all she talks about is how much she loves those children!
May Winner: Kristina Naiman, 3rd grade teacher at Dawson Elementary School in Holden MA is one of the most caring and phenomenal teachers. Not only is she awesome with teaching children, but she is also a phenomenal dog trainer at Stephanie's Dog Training in Sterling. She has the first 1st responder therapy dog in Massachusetts named QUIN. She visits many first responder units with Quin to help them through their stress of the job. She visits Nursing Homes with Quin and gets kids involved in helping Seniors. She doesn't just teach; she is an example of what a good education and kindness can bring to all.