Urban Science Academy Teacher Finalist for Teacher of the Year Award

An humanities teacher was a finalist for 2012 Massachusetts Teacher of the Year award.

William Madden-Fuoco of the Urban Science Academy, said, "I strive to send all students the message that 'even if success is not happening for you now, I will reach for you. This is important, you can do this, and I won't give up on you.'"

Madden-Fuoco was one of several teachers honored in a June 16th ceremony held at the Massachusetts State House.

Adam William Gray, a 10th grade math teacher at Monument High School in South Boston, was honored at the Massachusetts State House, after being named 2012 Massachusetts Teacher of the Year. The state’s Commissioner of Education Mitchell Chester and Boston Public Schools Superintendent Carol R. Johnson were present at the ceremony.

“We are so fortunate to have some of the best teachers in America working in our schools,” said ohnson. “This honor recognizes Mr. Gray’s work in setting a high standard of excellence that serves our students, our city, and our state well.”

Mr. Gray has taught math at Monument High School for five years. He founded the first Mu Alpha Theta honor society in BPS, and today, nearly 10 percent of Monument's students are involved in the mathematics achievement program. Gray says he started the program to make mathematics "cool" and encourage lower-achieving students at Monument High School to be more consistent with attendance and academics. He is a TeachPlus teaching policy fellow.

Wai Chin Ng, a 5th grade Boston Public Schools teacher, was also recognized during the ceremony.  Last month Mr. Ng, a teacher at the Josiah Quincy Elementary School, was honored by President Barack Obama as one of the best science teachers in America.