FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
May 4, 2023
MONOMOY MIDDLE SCHOOL’S NANCY GIFFORD NAMED
2023 MASSACHUSETTS STEM TEACHER OF THE YEAR
FOXBOROUGH, Mass.— The Patriots Hall of Fame presented by Raytheon Technologies today announced that Nancy Gifford has been selected as the Massachusetts STEM (science, technology, engineering, math) Teacher of the Year. The announcement was made by Chairman and CEO, Robert Kraft. Gifford teaches seventh grade science at Monomoy Middle School in Chatham, Mass. As this year’s recipient of the honor, Monomoy Middle School will receive $5,000 from the Patriots Foundation in her name to be used for STEM education. Gifford will also be appointed to Governor Maura Healey’s STEM Advisory Council, chaired by Lt. Governor Kim Driscoll.
“Congratulations to Nancy, a classroom teacher who has truly made a difference in promoting science, technology, engineering and math for kids in the Commonwealth,” said Kraft. “She is doing outstanding work to inspire our next generation of STEM professionals. Nancy – the work you do makes an impact, and we are very proud to support you.”
“Science, technology, and math teachers, like Nancy Gifford, have a profound impact on their students’ STEM future. Governor Healey and I are proud to recognize Ms. Giffords’s dedication to her students and her commitment to providing enriching and exciting learning opportunities in her classroom,” said Lt. Governor Kim Driscoll. “Ms. Gifford exemplifies the incredible STEM educators who are inspiring students across Massachusetts, and we congratulate her on this well-earned distinction.”
“As a former educator myself, I know the tenacity and care it takes to deliver the quality teaching that Nancy Gifford has demonstrated,” said Secretary of Education Patrick Tutwiler. “Countless STEM students have a teacher to thank for guiding them toward a STEM future—and for many of them in Monomoy, that’s Ms. Gifford. Congratulations to Ms. Gifford, her students, and all of the faculty and staff at Monomoy Regional Middle school who contributed to her success.”
Gifford was chosen from a group of five finalists. The other four finalists will each receive $1,000 for STEM education at each of their school’s courtesy of Raytheon Technologies.
Those teachers are:
• Elizabeth Dorgan- Hatherly, Jenkins, Wampatuck and Cushing Elementary Schools (Scituate)
• Rebekah Gendron- Westport Middle School
• Courtney Spencer-Lynnfield Middle School
• Daniel Viellieu – Guilmette Middle School (Lawrence)
Steven Hill, the Patriots Hall of Fame’s Education Program Supervisor, thanked fellow selection committee members Keith Connors from the Department of Higher Education, Meto Raha from the Department of Elementary and Secondary Education and Maggie Cicco from the Executive Office of Education for their work in selecting this year’s STEM Teacher of the Year.
“The individuals on the selection committee make this process possible,” Hill said. “They commit a great deal of time and energy to the process each year and have shown tremendous dedication to recognizing excellence in STEM education in our state.”
ABOUT THE STEM TEACHER OF THE YEAR PROGRAM
The Patriots Hall of Fame launched the STEM Teacher of the Year program in October of 2012 when Robert Kraft announced the initiative at the Massachusetts STEM Summit, held that year at Gillette Stadium. Gifford is the eleventh recipient of the award. Kelly Powers from the Advanced Math & Science Academy Charter School was the inaugural winner in 2013. Other past winners include Doug Scott from Natick High School in 2014, Kerry Murphy from Oliver Ames High School in 2015, David Mangus from Brockton High School in 2016, Kathleen Malone from Derby Academy in Hingham in 2017, Erin Cronin from Revere High School in 2018, Amanda Hough from Mashpee Middle-High School in 2019, Tori Cameron from the Gordon W. Mitchell School in East Bridgewater in 2020, Becky Colo of Longsjo Middle School in Fitchburg in 2021 and Shannon Morey from Abbott Lawrence Academy in Lawrence in 2022. The STEM Teacher of the Year award is part of the Patriots Hall of Fame’s education program, which offers students in grades 4-12 standards-based educational modules in a fun, entertaining setting. The Hall typically hosts more than 20,000 school field trip visitors annually.
ABOUT THE PATRIOTS HALL OF FAME PRESENTED BY RAYTHEON TECHNOLOGIES
Through a dazzling array of interactive multimedia exhibits and artifacts, the Patriots Hall of Fame showcases the tradition of the New England Patriots, explores the history of football in New England and promotes math and science education for thousands of schoolchildren each year. The Patriots Hall of Fame’s signature exhibit is the Super Bowl Experience. Visitors to the interactive exhibit can re-live each of the team’s Super Bowl championships, and view the Vince Lombardi Trophies and Super Bowl championship rings. For more information or to purchase tickets, please visit www.PatriotsHallofFame.com, visit “The Patriots Hall of Fame” on Facebook or follow @TheHall on Twitter and Patriotshall on Instagram.
–www.PatriotsHallofFame.com–
