CONGRATULATIONS TO

Jennifer Collins Borque

TRUMBULL'S

TEACHER OF THE YEAR!

Some memorable quotes from her speech are:

All of you probably have your own stories about what led you into education. Those who knew early on that being an educator was their destiny were lucky. For me, becoming a teacher was a decision made after I graduated from college, and it is one I have never regretted.

When I was hired, Lenny Miller brought me to my new classroom and ahanded me a dusty binder that contained a curriculum guide thathad been written in 1980 something . I had 5 days to prepare. My saving grace was that I was subbing for an extraordinary teacher, Bob Bruno, who was more than willing to help. With the superb support of Bob, my teammates, and administrators, I made it through the year.

I have received the suppport of so many amazing teachers and administrators during the years. What they have taught me, shaped me and continues to shape me into the teacher I am and still hope to become.

It is because of this unending support that I myself chose to become a mentor and cooperating teacher. I encourage all of you to get involved in mentoring in some way. It has been an extremely rewarding experience. Working with new teachers forces me to look at my own teaching and constantly reevaluate what I am doing. I learn as much from them as they learn from me.

Teachers are not isolated individuals in a classroom teaching a subject; we are a collective group of educators teaching children. Teachers need to be caring, supportive, concerned about their students, knowledgeable about subject matter, able to communicate with parents, and excited about the work they do. Yet no matter how much we try to explain this, many don't understand.

It is not enough to tell people what we do. We must show themwhat we do, so thatey can understand and appreciate the dedication it takes to be a teacher. Better yet, let's show them what our students can do, for the value of a teacher is measured by the accomplishments of his or her students. Let everyone know that our students are more than just numbers in a newspaper. Students can do amazing things that cannot be measured by CAPT or CMTs; we must work together to make education a true community effort with mutual appreciation and respect for all those involved.

So as the school year gets underway and you get into a routine of doing the 712 things that you do everyday, I hope you'll keep your doors open to anyone who wants to learn more about the amazing things that are going on in your classroom.

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2008 TEACHERS OF THE YEAR

Booth Hill School -----------Lisa Beers

Daniels Farm School--------Laura Katz

Frenchtown School----------Deborah Dean

Jane Ryan School-----------Charlotte Maier

Middlebrook School--------Joann Gallagher

Tashua School-------------- Remi Weed Grunow

Hillcrest Middle School----Cyndi Arsenault

Madison Middle School---Jennnifer Collins Bourque

Trumbull High School---Gerald a. McCloghry

TECEC--------------------Beverly Dubour