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Sharon Middle School's Craig Szczepanski Receives 2016 Sharon Education Foundation Lee Flaxer Award
Sharon Middle School French Teacher, Editor of the SMS Yearbook, French Night Coordinator, and Director of the SMS musical, was recently hon
Craig J. Szczepanski, Sharon Middle School French Teacher, Editor of the SMS Yearbook, French Night Coordinator, and Director of the SMS musical, was recently honored by more than 60 of his colleagues, friends and peers at the Community Center as the 2016 Recipient of Sharon Education Foundation’s Lee Flaxer Award.
The Lee Flaxer Award, Sharon Education Foundation’s (SEF’s) highest honor, was created in memory of a Sharon Heights Principal who was exceptional, Ms. Lee Flaxer. She led by example, was a firm defender of her teachers and staff and wanted every student to start his or her school career in a nurturing environment. Past recipients included: Roland James (2006), John Brande (2007), Meg Verret (2008), Lisa Fireman (2009), Joan Wernick (2010), Bill Fish (2011), Timothy Vigorito (2012), Michael Hocking (2013), Al and Judy Lipsky (2014) and Jane Levine (2015).
The award was presented by Tara Goodwin Frier, Sharon Education Foundation’s co-president who said the committee was blown away by the quality and quantity of nominations for Mr. Szczepanski.
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Superintendent Tim Farmer also spoke about Craig’s contribution to Sharon Public Schools and introduced new administrators to the school: Nick Bacigalupi, Sharon High School Assistant Principal Jennifer Graveline, Sharon High School Special Needs Administrator Molly Van Cott, Director of Food Service.
SEF had several surprises in store for Craig that evening. Included in the award presentation were two citations from the Massachusetts House of Representatives and Senate, a speech by former student Jared Bonfiglio and an original composition of songs from past musicals assembled by Christine Kasparian Dunn. Performers included Emily Snidman Marks, Jonathon Wald, Maddie Rothstein, Jack Price and Riley Forster.
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"It was truly an honor to receive this award, and I was incredibly moved by the ceremony. It was like an episode of This is Your Life. Hearing all of the wonderful messages from former students was really touching, and then having some come back and sing my favorite songs from past shows was simply perfect. This is my 24th year of teaching at Sharon Middle School, and I am so proud to be a public school teacher in Sharon," says Craig.