The 2018 Blackboard Awards For Teachers

On Monday, June 4, the 2018 Blackboard Awards For Teachers, presented by New York Family, honored 15 of the city’s finest teachers in a special ceremony at the New York Institute of Technology (NYIT). John Hurley, the publisher of New York Family, Jonathan Moore, the president of Family Media, and Mia Weber, the executive editor of New York Family hosted the event. The event was sponsored in part by Manhattan Media, New York Family, NYIT, Smart City Kids, the United Federation of Teachers, and TF Cornerstone.

The Blackboard Awards honor excellence in local education in all sectors (public, private, charter, and parochial), and all grade levels (nursery through high school). The annual schools and principals’ ceremony is in the fall, and the annual teachers’ ceremony is in the spring. Parents are welcome and encouraged to nominate their beloved schools and educators, and we typically hear from several thousand local families in the course of the year. We also have a board of advisors made up of experts in local education who make recommendations as well.

And the 2018 Blackboard Awards for Teachers Honorees are:

Katy Andermanis-Vonapartis
St. Joseph’s School-Yorkville

Jillian Aquila
Girls Prep Lower East Side Elementary Charter School

Jeffrey Bradley
ABC Merricat’s Castle School

Hope Friend
Isaac Newton Middle School for Mathand Science

Raina Gilchrist
Avenues: The World School

Deborah Loscalzo
Our Lady of Mercy Catholic Academy

Ronie L. Mataquel
John Bowne High School

Michael Mullen
East Side Middle School

Kristen Parness
Bronx High School of Science

Brian Pew
Stephen T. Mather Building Arts & Craftsmanship High School

Cesar Elias Sanchez
KIPP: Washington Heights Middle School

Lucas Schildknecht
Ecole Internationale de New York

Perri Lawrie Tyson
Arts & Letters

Michael Veve
The Center School

Grace Yang
BASIS Independent Manhattan

To learn more about the Blackboard Awards, visit blackboardawards.com!

Great Oaks Charter School

A tuition-free charter middle school on the Lower East Side of Manhattan. We prepare our students for success in college through excellent teaching and tutoring.

The Montessori School of New York International

At The Montessori School of New York International, children are encouraged to explore all academic dimensions&nbsp;at their own pace and interest level. This tailored approach&nbsp;helps them grow in self-esteem and independence, leading them to become well-rounded, confident citizens of the world! All classes are equipped with a full complement of didactic imported Montessori materials, that encourage the absorption of concepts while playing. Music, Foreign Language, Musical Theatre, Swimming, Dance, Yoga, Science, Art, Public Speaking and Chess are part of the program as well.&nbsp;This multi-faceted program inspires curiosity, and instills a lifelong love of learning!&nbsp;Children who attend usually do well academically, and are prepared for admission to gifted and competitive programs. A unique Summer Camp, staffed by the school&rsquo;s year-round teachers, allows children from other programs to experience a Montessori summer!

Twin Parks Montessori Schools

TwIn Parks Montessori Schools nurtures a child&rsquo;s natural tendency to learn.&nbsp; Our three campuses on the Upper West Side of Manhattan serve children from 3 months to 5 years of age.&nbsp; We are called Twin Parks because each of our campuses are across from Central Park or Riverside Park.&nbsp; Being close to nature is just one of many things that make Twin Parks a wonderful school.&nbsp; Twin Parks is well known for its warm stimulating environment, joyful, active, independent learners, and welcoming community.&nbsp; At Twin Parks, each child is regarded with profound respect and care. Our nurturing teachers foster a beautiful learning environment designed to help each child reach their full potential.&nbsp;&nbsp; All of our students, even our youngest children, have enriched experiences in math, language, science, cultural arts, music, art and movement.&nbsp; The Montessori approach is internationally renowned for the development of each child&rsquo;s creativity, individual resourcefulness, and potential. All of our classrooms share a deep commitment to the Montessori Method and at each level our program is carefully constructed around the developmental stages of the child. The Montessori curriculum varies at the levels of our school, but the goals are consistent throughout the programs: - To partner with parents in the education of their children - To foster a love and joy of learning - To help children develop a positive self-image&nbsp; - To foster open minds, compassion, and respect for others - To develop independence and confidence. - To instill in each child a sense of responsibility for the world in which we live - To maintain the highest standards for a safe and clean program.