Foxborough High School Teacher Named One of the Best in Massachusetts

The following was submitted by Foxborough Public Schools assistant superintendent Amy Berdos as part of the Foxborough School Committee’s Teaching and Learning Highlights series.

Engaging, passionate, innovative, compassionate, and a role model for students and teachers alike are just some of the words used to describe Ms. Kristen D’Errico, Foxborough High School Social Studies teacher. Ms. D’Errico was one of ten Massachusetts educators named as a Massachusetts Teacher of the Year Semifinalist and was recognized as the Teaching and Learning Highlight at Monday night’s School Committee meeting.

The Massachusetts Teacher of the Year Program celebrates Massachusetts teachers who exemplify excellent teaching and represent the positive contributions of teachers statewide. Ms. D’Errico was nominated for this distinguished honor by her colleague and Department Head, Mr. Tom Murray. Once nominated, she was responsible for writing five separate essays and obtaining additional letters of support including her principal’s, Ms. Diana Myers-Pachla. “I was thrilled to write on her behalf,” shared Ms. Myers-Pachla stating that, “Ms. D’Errico is one of the top educators that I have ever had the privilege of working with. She brings history alive for her students, creating a classroom environment where her love for history is not only contagious, but provides students with the opportunity to truly understand what it means to study history, be a good citizen and have a voice.” She is described by her students as an educator and mentor, “one who teaches her subject with flare and passion and creates an engaging and positive learning environment.” All were in agreement that Ms. D’Errico is truly a model educator who teaches her students with love, a passion for history and truly teaches from the heart. When asked about being a Semifinalist and nominated for this great honor, she simply shared, “I was both ecstatic and humbled.”

As a Semifinalist award winner for the Massachusetts Teacher of the Year Program Ms. D’Errico was recognized for her excellence in teaching by the Commissioner of the Massachusetts Department of Elementary and Secondary Education during a celebratory ceremony that took place at The State House in Boston on June 12, 2014. Ms. D’Errico began her career in Foxborough directly out of college and is entering her fifteenth year of teaching at FHS. She teaches World and American History, Advanced Placement United States History, serves as a class advisor for the Class of 2015 and is also a Mentor Leader for new teachers.