Celebrating Excellence: North Country Teachers Honored with Classroom Kindness Teacher Appreciation Award

Seven outstanding educators from the North Country have been recognized for their dedication and impact in the classroom. NBC Watertown, in partnership with the Northern New York Community Foundation, has selected these remarkable teachers to receive the prestigious Classroom Kindness Teacher Appreciation Award. Each honoree will also receive a $250 grant to support their classrooms.

The 2024 award recipients are:

• David Bernard – Calcium Primary

• Dwayne Ghostlaw – Brushton-Moira Central

• Carissa Dickinson – Case Middle School

• Emily Rudd – Maynard P. Wilson Elementary

• Dave Easton – South Jefferson Central

• Emily Kraeger – South Lewis Central

• Kimberly Vallentgoed – Madison Elementary

These dedicated educators have gone above and beyond to create a positive and nurturing environment for their students, embodying the spirit of kindness and excellence in teaching.

To honor these exceptional teachers, an awards ceremony will be held on April 3rd at Garland City. Family members, friends, colleagues, superiors, and sponsors will gather to celebrate their achievements. During the event, the teachers will receive their awards and grants, recognizing their hard work and commitment to shaping young minds.

Stay tuned for pictures from this inspiring evening as we celebrate the dedication and passion of these educators who make a difference in the lives of their students every day!