Department Of Corrections Educator Named NH Teacher Of The Year

CONCORD, NH — An English teacher in the New Hampshire Department of Corrections Special School District is this year's New Hampshire Teacher of the Year. Kimberly Piper-Stoddard was awarded the honor on Wednesday during a ceremony held at the New Hampshire State Prison for Men.

Piper-Stoddard, who has been involved with education for 25 years, taught in preschool, elementary school and middle school before taking a position with the Granite State High School program. Granite State classes are conducted within the walls of the NH State Prison for Men in Concord, the NH Correctional Facility for Women in Concord and the North NH Correctional Facility in Berlin. Granite State High is designed to provide a second chance for those in need of formal education as a means to self-reflection and rehabilitation.

"Throughout my career, I have resolved to be an example to those in my care," Piper-Stoddard said. "On my best days I model for them curiosity, active listening, problem solving, empathy, and enthusiasm for learning. Even on the not-so-good days, I can still model admitting, apologizing for and fixing my mistakes. These are skills that will transcend the classroom, and hopefully propel my students into a new and better life when they are released from custody."

In the words of one of her students: "Ms. Piper is excited and enthusiastic about what she teaches and it has created an overwhelming positive change in me."

NH Commissioner of Education Frank Edelblut announced Piper-Stoddard as this year's recipient.

"There are many paths to bright futures," Edelblut said. "Ms. Piper-Stoddard teaches students who have gone down the wrong path, but are working to turn their lives around. I congratulate her, and hope this well-earned award will draw attention to the great work being done at Granite State High School."

In receiving this award, Ms. Piper-Stoddard becomes New Hampshire's candidate for National Teacher of the Year and will be representing New Hampshire at several National Teacher of the Year events throughout the year.

For more information about this and other programs coordinated through the Department of Education log on to www.education.nh.gov/recognition or contact Lori Kincaid, NH Teacher of the Year Coordinator at 603-271-6646 or e-mail Lori.Kincaid@doe.nh.gov.