Mayor Richard Kos, on behalf of the City of Chicopee, would like to congratulate the 2017 Pioneer Valley Excellence in Teaching Award recipients. This year’s award recipients are honored at a gala banquet dedicated to those recipients from western Hamden County on Wednesday evening at the Log Cabin Banquet & Meeting House in Easthampton.

Nine educators from Chicopee Public Schools were honored this year.

            Abbie Meulemans, Barry Elementary School

            Barbara Moskal, Dupont Middle School

            Christine Oliver, Bowie Elementary School

            Dianne Vecchiarelli, Chicopee High School

            Jennifer Vaughn, Lambert Lavoie Elementary School

            Jill Illuzzi, Litwin Elementary School

            Midje Theulen, Chicopee High School

            Paige Sullivan, Fairview Elementary School

            Sabrina Pudelko, Szetela Early Childhood School

The Pioneer Valley Excellence in Teaching Award, commonly known as the Grinspoon Award, was established in 2004 to recognize distinguished Western Massachusetts educators. The criteria for the award looks for those who demonstrate professionalism, enthusiasm, collaboration and cooperation while bringing out the best in students’ abilities.

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