MFE Recognizes Teachers of the Year

As they do every spring, the Milton Foundation for Education honored seven teachers—one from each of the Milton Public Schools and one winner of the district-wide Mary Grassa O’Neill Leadership Award—at Monday’s MFE Teacher of the Year Awards at .

The 2011 winners are:

• : Elizabeth Spitz
• : Carolyn O’Connor
• : Amanda LeFort
• : Anne Kelley
• : David Querzoli
• : Nicholas Fitzgerald
• Mary Grassa O’Neill Leadership Award: Gracie Burke

After a reception, each honoree was given an opportunity to address the crowd, which consisted of family, friends and students. During their brief speeches, most of the winners thanked their students, families, coworkers and the MFE.

Milton High English teacher, Nicholas Fitzgerald, called the honor the “best public recognition I will ever receive in my life.”

The Mary Grassa O’Neill Award winner, Gracie Burke, who is retiring at the end of the year after 21 years at the MPS, used her time at the podium to pass along wisdom to other teachers in attendance.

“Let’s not just talk a good game,” said Burke. “Let us lead by example.”