KIMBERLY KENNEY

NAMED 2006 NH TEACHER OF THE YEAR

Commissioner of Education Lyonel Tracy announced Ms. Kimberly Kenney a third grade teacher at Boscawen Elementary School, as the 2006 NH Teacher of the Year to the students and educators at Boscawen Elementary School today in an all school assembly. As 2006 NH Teacher of the Year, Ms. Kenney becomes New Hampshire 's candidate for National Teacher of the Year.

"This national and statewide award builds community awareness of our state's finest educators, while providing positive messages about the teaching profession. The Department of Education hopes that by recognizing the state's many excellent educators, more people will consider a career in education. Ms. Kenney represents the high quality educators we have in this state. It is only with such educators, that our children will learn the skills so necessary to succeed," said Commissioner of Education Lyonel Tracy.

Ms. Kenney has been teaching at Boscawen Elementary School for sixteen years. She is dedicated to children outside of the classroom as well. For more than a decade she has coached the girls' softball and field hockey teams, run the Penacook Community Center 's summer children's program and volunteered on numerous fundraisers.

Richard Flagg, principal of Boscawen Elementary said, "Kim Kenney is the perfect choice to be New Hampshire 's Teacher of the Year. She is passionate about teaching. She has high expectations for her students and herself. She "goes the extra mile" both inside her classroom and outside in the community. Mrs. Kenney's room is a place where students are nurtured, engaged, and supported in their learning. Kim Kenney represents the BEST in education!"

Kim is described by colleagues, parents, and students as energetic, dedicated and passionate. She says her greatest contribution in education is "my effort to assure that all children learn and are successful, both academically and socially."

Each year, New Hampshire schools take part in the State and National Teacher of the Year Program. The National Teacher of the Year Program, presented by the ING Foundation, is a project of the Council of Chief State School Officers and sponsored by Scholastic Inc., Now in its 54 th year, the Teacher of the Year Program is the oldest and most prestigious honors program to focus public attention on excellence in teaching. In New Hampshire , Hannaford Supermarkets is proud to partner with the Department of Education to sponsor the New Hampshire Teacher of the Year program.

"As a company, Hannaford is committed to enriching the quality of life in the communities we serve. One way we do this is by supporting this program that recognizes the significant contributions made by the many dedicated professionals who choose to make teaching their calling," said Hannaford spokesperson Caren Epstein.

New Hampshire Teacher of the Year Finalists are Tracey Cassady, 6th and 7th grade teacher at the Academy of Learning and Technology, Nashua; Gretchen Hildebrand , second grade teacher at Andover Elementary Middle School, Andover; Sean Muller, chemistry and physical science teacher at Merrimack High School, Merrimack; and David Wilson , music teacher at Mascoma Valley Regional High School, Canaan. In early December, these finalists will be invited to a "Leadership in Education Banquet" to celebrate their accomplishments along with other distinguished educators in the State. At this banquet they will receive a classroom grant from Hannaford Supermarkets.

The selection process for the 2006 NH Teacher of the Year program was coordinated by a committee including representatives from the NH Department of Education; NH State Board of Education member, Debra Hamel ; Executive Director of the NH Principals Association, Peggy McAllister ; NH Excellence in Education ("ED"ies) Board member, Cindy Chagnon , 2005 NH Teacher of the Year, Randy Wormald ; 2004 NH Teacher of the Year, Ida Dziura ; and Ben LaBelle from Hannaford Supermarkets.

For more information about this and other award/recognition programs coordinated through the Department of Education log on to http://www.ed.state.nh.us/education/doe/organization/curriculum/arp.htm or contact Lori Kincaid , Public Information Officer at (603) 271-6646 or e-mail lkincaid@ed.state.nh.us .

To contact Boscawen Elementary School please call 753-6512.