Local Teachers Honored for Excellence

Three local teachers have been awarded the Margaret Voss Howard Teacher Award for 2020 in recognition of exceptional teaching and “as representative of all the excellent, dedicated teachers in the community who make a difference to children every day.”

Robin LoConte of New Liberty Innovation School, a public alternative high school in Salem, was honored for building strong, effective relationships with students and for her contributions to the foundational principles of the school. She was instrumental in creating New Liberty's Essential Habits, a series of social-emotional competencies that students demonstrate.

Emily Lyons, a Salem resident and special education teacher at Marblehead High School, was commended for transformative teaching and, in particular, her positive influence on one student's turnaround success.

Christine McAlpine is a teacher at the Embark program of the Northshore Comsortium, a collaborative that serves students from Salem, Marblehead, and other local communities. Colleagues, parents, and students cited her supportive teaching, her listening ear, and her deep caring.

All three teachers demonstrate exceptional dedication and commitment that goes above and beyond daily classroom contributions. They were selected by a committee of local educators who reviewed a number of impressive nominations submitted by teachers, parents, and other citizens. Honorees received cash awards and were recognized in online ceremonies at their schools.

The MVHoward Teacher Award is a fund of the Essex County Community Foundation.