SHS teacher receives Empire State Excellence in Teaching Award

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Congratulations to Shaker High School English teacher Thea MacFawn who has received a 2018 Empire State Excellence in Teaching Award. The prestigious award honors innovative educators who excel in the classroom and have demonstrated a commitment to sharing their experience and know-how with their colleagues.

The award was presented on Tuesday, May 8 to a surprised MacFawn, who learned she had been selected for the award as one of New York’s top teacher leaders in front of her colleagues and administrators, including Supt. Corr and Deputy Supt. Skeals.

RoAnn Destito, Commissioner for the Office of General Services under Governor Andrew M. Cuomo, presented the award to MacFawn and spoke about MacFawn’s dedication and commitment to her students’ education through her teaching.

Along with the citation, MacFawn was presented with $5,000 to be used for her own professional development. The cash award came as an oversized cardboard check presented to MacFawn by her very own husband, Jim, as a surprise.

While Tuesday’s award presentation was a surprise for MacFawn, school leaders — including SHS Principal Rich Murphy — learned the good news last week, but had been asked to keep it under wraps until the formal presentation.

More about the Excellence in Teaching Program

Governor Andrew Cuomo created the Empire State Excellence in Teaching Program in 2016 to support exemplary teachers across New York State who foster creativity, instill a love of learning, motivate students to maintain high expectations and academic goals, and make a difference in the lives of students. This program recognizes a select group of teachers from each region of New York who work tirelessly every day to prepare a new generation of learners for the future.

Category: District News, SHS