Congratulations to the 2020 Of the Year Award Recipients!
Distinguished Educator of the Year: Mrs. Laura McGrew (High School Language Arts)
This award recognizes a teacher or administrator who has made a significant and positive contribution to Bennington Public Schools and has taught in the district for 6 years or more.
Below are just a few things her nominators said about her!
A student said: “She’s always wishing the best for her students, she lends a helping hand wherever is needed, she truly puts her students first. I was being challenged every second in her class and I believe she is a one-in-a-million kind of teacher. I am extremely grateful to have gotten the chance to learn from her.”
An administrator said: “Laura McGrew is one of the finest educators I’ve had the privilege of working with in my 20+ years in education. She comes to school early, stays late, and will consistently go the extra mile to help out students and staff. Laura has the respect of her students, colleagues, administrators, and parents.”
Thank you for your great impact on students, Mrs. McGrew!
Support Staff of the Year: Gay Copeland (Anchor Pointe Elementary Paraeducator)
his award recognizes a past or present support staff, non-certificated person who has made a significant and positive contribution to the Bennington Public Schools.
A few things said about Gay included:
“Gay comes into my classroom and intuitively steps in and manages 4 students with high math needs. The support she gives them is huge! She makes sure she isn’t enabling or too coddling, as she provides strategies and guidance to figuring out math answers. The kids respect and admire her!”
“Working with all people comes very naturally to her. She goes above and beyond to help EVERY student and EVERY teacher. She helps students through disagreements by actually teaching them how to problem solve. She comes in each and every day with a smile.”
New Educator of the Year: Mrs. Alex Saunders (Anchor Pointe Elementary 5th Grade)
Receiving multiple nominations, here are just a few quotes about her highlighting what a deserving candidate she is!
“Mrs. Saunders is a teacher who students will look back on their educational experience and remember forever! She is a teacher who puts in endless hours past normal duty times to create lessons that constantly exceed expectations. She creates a learning environment that welcomes each student into her classroom no matter their circumstances.”
“We feel very honored and blessed that our son has had the privilege of having Mrs. Saunders for his 5th grade teacher! He has excelled in all subjects this year thanks to her phenomenal teaching methods and ongoing support and guidance. She is extremely organized and her communication with the students and parents is outstanding.”
RSVP to the 2019 Awards Ceremony
BPS Foundation 2020 Scholarship Recipients
Foundation Platinum $2,000 Grace Tetschner
Foundation Platinum $2,000 Claire Thompson
Foundation Platinum $2,000 Connor Utech
Foundation Platinum $2,000 Michael Webb
Foundation Gold $1,500 Makenna Anderson
Foundation Gold $1,500 Ariana Bryant
Foundation Gold $1,500 James Coddington
Foundation Gold $1,500 Kyler Essink
Foundation Gold $1,500 Jordan Hill
Foundation Gold $1,500 Kathryn Keatts
Foundation Gold $1,500 Anna Law
Foundation Gold $1,500 Mackenna Petersen
Foundation Gold $1,500 Ayden Ridder-Koch
Foundation Gold $1,500 Makenna Anderson
Foundation Gold $1,500 Sophie Ryan
Foundation Gold $1,500 Hunter Shanks
Foundation Gold $1,500 Cean Swinney
Foundation Gold $1,500 Hannah Tilton
Foundation Gold $1,500 Whitney Wullenwaber
Bunz Family Scholarship $1,500 Grace Tetschner
Girl Scout Troop 42626 $500 Sidney Jacobs
Foundation Merit Silver $1,000 Caitlin Birk
Foundation Merit Silver $1,000 Malique Boyd
Foundation Merit Silver $1,000 Sean Christensen
Foundation Merit Silver $1,000 Samantha Sample
Foundation Merit Silver $1,000 Eric Tomjack
Foundation Merit Bronze $500 Andrew Breckenridge
Foundation Merit Bronze $500 Hunter Duffek
Foundation Merit Bronze $500 Courtney Mertens
Foundation Merit Bronze $500 Jace Miller
Foundation Merit Bronze $500 Isabella Ponce
Foundation Merit Bronze $500 Miley Prine
Foundation Merit Bronze $500 Jaden Reinoehl
Foundation Merit Bronze $500 Haley Saltzman
Foundation Merit Bronze $500 Brett Tomjack
Foundation Career $1,000 Matthew Coe
Foundation Career $1,000 Cody Flynn
Foundation Career $1,000 Annabelle Hall
Foundation Career $1,000 Wyatt Knutson-Smith
Foundation Career $1,000 Colby Puck
All-Star Kids Employee $500 Caitlin Birk
All-Star Kids Employee $500 Laurin Miller
