AMESBURY — The Amesbury Rotary Club is asking for the community’s help selecting its 43nd annual Educator of the Year with nominations now being accepted through April 17 at noon.
The award will be presented on Wednesday, May 14, during the Rotary Club’s luncheon at Ristorante Molise in Market Square beginning at 12:15 p.m.
“It’s such a wonderful privilege and an opportunity to be able to recognize a teacher or staff member that really has gone above and beyond,” former 2021 winner and current Cashman Elementary English teacher Stacey Fijalkowski said.
The Amesbury Rotary Club was founded in 1925. Since then, hundreds of club members have contributed their time, skills and money to service projects in our local community, as well as projects abroad. It is committed to serving the community’s youth, sponsoring scholarships and offering interest-free loans to Amesbury students, according to its webpage.
Fijalkowski said she remembers thinking something was wrong when she was called into the Amesbury Middle School art room in 2021 only to be blindsided when presented the award rather than Ristorante Molise due to the pandemic at the time.
“I thought that there was an issue happening with the class when I came in and I saw everybody, I think I was just completely shocked. I felt honored, and it was a wonderful surprise,” Fijalkowski said.
Nominated by Gail Regis and husband, Dan Fijalkowski, she said it meant the world to her that they would think to nominate her.
“I had a lot of teachers who were the reason I became a teacher on that list, and to be considered and chosen to be on that list as well was really something that it meant so much to me,” Fijalkowski said.
She said it was especially important to her because of the timing of when she won.
“It was special my mom got to be there, and she passed away the next year, so it was just nice,” Fijalkowski said.
Last year, Bruce McBrien, a former teacher who retired in 2023 and who won the award in 2009, said being nominated and winning was “was probably one of the most humbling experiences of my life.”
“Clearly a highlight of my educational career,” McBrien said, at the time.
Eligibility requirements include that they must teach in the Amesbury school system, including all classroom and special education teachers and specialists in technology, art, music, library, guidance counselors, and other areas. Administrators are not eligible.
Educators must have been employed by Amesbury for at least five years, and must not plan on retiring within the next two years. They also cannot be a previous recipient.
Nominations are encouraged from past and present students, parents, co-workers, and all community members.
Those who wish to nominate a candidate, mail the completed nomination form, along with a letter of explanation to either the Amesbury Rotary Club, PO Box 554, Amesbury, MA 01913, or drop it off at any principal’s office, superintendent’s office, or the Amesbury Public Library. Emails may be sent to Donna Collins at dlcamesbury@yahoo.com.