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Teacher of the Week

TCT and Adirondack Broadcasting Recognize Local School Employees

Teacher of the Week is a weekly awards program sponsored by TCT Federal Credit Union and Adirondack Broadcasting that honors our local school employees making a positive impact on their students and school communities! Each week during the school year one recipient is selected and announced on-air.

 

Congratulations 2024-25 Recipients

Click on the recipient's name to read their nomination.

Feb. 10 - Mrs. Beth Sweeney, Kindergarten Teacher at The King’s School in Hadley

Mrs. Sweeney has been teaching at The King’s School for a few years now and has such an amazing way about her. She transforms her young students, who start off unsure of what school is about… into strong, kind, and eager learners! Mrs. Sweeney makes learning fun but holds her students accountable and loves them like her own! The students and their parents are grateful for all her efforts at The King’s School in Hadley, NY.

Feb. 3 - Mr. Lance Hamm, English Teacher at the Ballston Spa High School

Mr. Hamm has been teaching at Ballston Spa for 20 years and is dedicated to bringing out the best among his students. He always finds new ways to make learning fun! Mr. Hamm is not only a great educator, but he’s also often a support system for his students as well. He does everything in his power to make sure his students excel! Thanks again to Mr. Lance Hamm for all he does at Ballston Spa High School!

Jan. 27 - Mrs. Shannon Fox, Kindergarten Teacher at Kensington Road Elementary School in Glens Falls

Mrs. Fox is a great teacher and both her students, and their parents appreciate her efforts. Not only does she go above and beyond for her kindergarten students, but she’s helpful to all the students at Kensington Road Elementary. Earlier this school year, a second grader had a loose tooth and was bumped by a friend, which made the tooth even more loose. Mrs. Fox witnessed the incident and jumped into action by donning some gloves and pulling the tooth with no problems. Sometimes the smallest gestures are the best. Thanks to Mrs. Shannon Fox for all that you do for the Glens Falls community and district at Kensington Road Elementary School!

Jan. 20 - Mrs. Krista Kelly, 1st Grade Teacher at Lake George Elementary School

Mrs. Kelly has been teaching at Lake George Elementary for 24 years. She is a creative and talented educator who often draws pictures and changes her voice to sound like the different characters in the stories she reads to her class. Mrs. Kelly constantly communicates with her students’ parents to provide them with updates on their children. She helps her students with nutritious snacks if they forget theirs at home or are unable to bring a snack to school. Thanks again for Mrs. Krista Kelly and all she does at the Lake George Elementary School. Mrs. Kelly will receive a plaque and prizes courtesy of Adirondack Broadcasting and TCT FCU.

Jan. 6 - Ms. Sydney Clark, Science Teacher at Putnam Central School

Ms. Clark is an outstanding educator and really cares for each one of her students both inside and outside of the classroom. She always finds a way to get her students excited to learn! Ms. Clark creates fun, hands-on and engaging science lessons to motivate all her students. Students, parents and the staff at Putnam Central School feel very lucky to have Ms. Sydney Clark as such an impactful teacher in the district that’s why she is this week’s Teacher of the Week.

Dec. 29 - Mr. Joel Gordon, Special Education Teacher at Queensbury Middle School

Mr. Joel Gordon goes above and beyond for his students. He is excellent at connecting a perfect delivery of the material covered in class to his students. He takes the time for each student to ensure they stay on track with their work. Mr. Gordon also provides snacks for the entire class, helping the students stay focused and energized. His patience and kindness make the classroom environment welcoming, and he makes learning enjoyable. Mr Gordon is a two-time Teacher of the Week, previously winning the award in 2020. Thanks again to Mr. Joel Gordon for all he does for students at Queensbury Middle School!

Dec. 22 - Mrs. Karen Northrop, 6th grade ELA Teacher at Whitehall Elementary School

Mrs. Northrop puts some real work into her lessons. This includes planning and rearranging to meet every student's needs. The excitement and pizzazz she brings when reading books to her students along with the supplemental activities that go along with the books, are amazing. Mrs. Northrop specializes in thoughtful planning and fun projects that help bring books to life for her students. She knows how important reading is and her specific teaching skills make her passion for reading contagious for all. Thank you, Mrs. Karen Northrop for all that you do at the Whitehall Elementary School. You are this week's Adirondack Broadcasting Teacher of the Week sponsored by TCT Federal Credit Union.

Dec. 8 - Mrs. Vicki Schuette, 4th Grade Teacher at Stillwater Elementary School

Mrs. Schuette is a positive influence on many of her students’ educational experience. She runs her classroom with the attitude that all students can be successful learners, and she instills this confidence in all her students. Mrs. Schuette gets to know her students so well and builds a positive relationship with each one of them. She often shows up to her students’ extracurricular activities on her own time, reinforcing that she supports them in all aspects of life. Thanks again to Mrs. Vicki Schuette for all she does at Stillwater Elementary School!

Nov. 25 - Mr. Joseph Iachetta, Music Teacher at Hadley-Luzerne Central School District

In addition to teaching music, he is the high school Band Director. He is very kind and hard-working teacher. He is always supporting his young musicians and making sure that they are prepared for concerts and solo performances as well! He schedules his band classes so that students who attend BOCES, are back in the building and able to participate in class and do not miss out. Thanks again, to Mr. Joseph Iachetta for his hard work and achievements with students at the Hadley-Luzerne High School. Because of your caring, thoughtful nature, and positive school campus impact, we salute you as the Adirondack Broadcasting Teacher of the Week, sponsored by TCT Federal Credit Union.

Nov. 18 - Mrs. Emily Aierstok, 7th grade ELA Teacher at the Greenwich Middle School 

On top of being a great teacher, Mrs. Aierstok coaches the modified cross-country and modified track and field teams. She also runs the Hope Club, which is all about creating a positive atmosphere in the school and promoting student wellness. Last year, Mrs. Aierstok organized the school sunshine shop. This is where they collect slightly used clothing, shoes, backpacks and other personal items to provide students the opportunity to come in and shop after school. Students shop free to take what they need for themselves and their families. Thanks again to this week's Adirondack Broadcasting Teacher of The Week, Mrs. Emily Aierstok. We're grateful to have you as an exceptional teacher in the Greenwich Community. TCT Federal Credit Union thanks you for your amazing impact on your students and school campus.

Nov. 11 - Mrs. Tammy Soper, a Pre-K Teacher at the Bolton Central School

Mrs. Soper makes learning fun for her students and takes the time to get to know each child individually. She leads many clubs and activities for students including the elementary school book club, high school youth and government, she coaches elementary soccer and basketball, serves in the school’s PTO, and is active in the Bolton booster club. Mrs. Soper and her work impact the lives of students at many different grade levels. Thanks to Mrs. Tammy Soper for all she does at Bolton Central School that’s why you are the Adirondack Broadcasting Teacher of the Week sponsored by TCT Federal Credit Union!

Oct. 28 - Mr. Garrett Phelps, High School Science Teacher at the Newcomb Central School

Mr. Phelps has been teaching science at Newcomb central school for about 20 years and has a long history of going above and beyond for these students. He not only stays after school for study groups, but he also advises extracurricular clubs at the school. Mr. Phelps always finds a way to make science lessons exciting and fun, and his students look forward to his class. Being the only science teacher for students’ 7th through 12th grade, Mr. Phelps teaches earth science, biology, chemistry, forensics and also teaches college courses for his students. Thanks again to Mr. Garrett Phelps for all that he does!

Oct. 21 - Ms. Mary Palmateer, a Pre-K Teacher at the Hoosic Valley Central in Schaghticoke

Ms. Palmateer is an extremely caring and encouraging teacher who deeply cares about the littlest students. She encourages them to try new things and to enjoy every step of their day. Every new class brings individual challenges and the growth that Ms. Palmateer achieves with each student is a joy to see. Thanks again to Ms. Mary Palmateer for all she does for her pre-k students at Hoosic Valley Central Schools! She is the Adirondack Broadcasting Teacher of the Week sponsored by TCT Federal Credit Union.

Oct. 14 - Mrs. Kim Bean, 3rd grade Teacher at Granville Elementary School

Mrs. Bean’s dedication to teaching, along with nurturing her students with defined rules and expectations, is remarkable. She is also an excellent resource for other teachers as she will selflessly give her time to any teacher with questions or if they need help. Mrs. Bean is the definition of a team player and Granville Elementary School is fortunate to have her on the staff. Thanks again to Mrs. Kim Bean for all she does at Granville Elementary School! Mrs. Bean’s commitment to her student’s is why she was the Adirondack Broadcasting Teacher of the Week sponsored by TCT Federal Credit Union.

Oct. 7 - Miss Jessica Lourie, Math Teacher at Greenwich High School

Please help TCT FCU congratulate this week’s Teacher of the Week, Miss Jessica Lourie. Jessica is a math teacher at Greenwich High School and is an asset to both students and staff. Miss Lourie teaches algebra 2 and a-p stats and is a great educator. Since learning math can be difficult, she is often seen helping students first thing in the morning before classes start as well as again after school. Miss Lourie is also co-advisor for the yearbook committee, handles students accounts and is active with the Greenwich Teachers Association. Thanks, and congratulations once again to Miss Jessica Lourie for all she does for the Greenwich Central school’s students and community!

Sept. 30 - Mrs. Elise Grundler, 4th grade Special Education teacher at the William H. Barton Intermediate School in Queensbury

Mrs. Grundler’s love for her Special Education students is evident in everything she does. She makes it a point to build a rapport with her students and their parents. Many of Mrs. Grundler’s students face challenges to learning, but she goes above and beyond to help them succeed. Thanks to Mrs. Elise Grundler for all she does for her students at the William H Barton Intermediate school in Queensbury!

Sept. 23 - Mrs. Kellie Hafner, Kindergarten Teacher at Schroon Lake Central School

Mrs. Hafner genuinely loves each one of her students. She demonstrates patience, kindness, resilience and school spirit through her lessons. Mrs. Hafner makes learning fun and exciting and often takes her class on field trips to the library, Veteran’s Memorial Park, local farms and more. She is everything a parent could hope for in a Kindergarten teacher. Thanks to Mrs. Kellie Hafner for all that she does at the Schroon Lake Central School!

 

 

All school employees are eligible to win

If you know of a school employee who does an extraordinary job and goes above and beyond for you or your child, we want to hear about it. A nomination of 100 words or less should be submitted to teacher@adirondackbroadcasting.com explaining why this nominee should be Teacher of the Week. 

Prizes provided by:  

  • A Lasting Impression Florist
  • Adirondack School Portraits 
  • Adirondack Winery
  • Cooper's Cave Ale Company
  • Habitat for Humanity ReStore
  • Hair Creations Studio 
Nominate Someone Special Today!
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