The Pioneer Valley, Union 38 and Frontier regional school districts surprised teachers in the last week with Pioneer Valley Excellence in Teaching Awards in recognition of their efforts in helping students succeed in the classroom and beyond.

Pioneer Valley Regional School English teacher Emily Miner, Whately Elementary School Pre-K teacher Christine “Chrissy” Huntley and Frontier Regional School math teacher Polly Wozny were honored by administrators and their coworkers. The awards, given since 2003 thanks to the Harold Grinspoon Charitable Foundation in partnership with the Irene E. & George A. Davis Foundation, recognizes educators in Franklin, Hampshire and Hampden counties. Grinspoon award winners are nominated by their colleagues.

Emily Miner

Miner was the first of the trio recognized, with faculty, administrators and students honoring her on Feb. 9 for her work with eighth, ninth and 10th grade English students.

“Knowing that it’s something that comes from the people you work with is what makes getting that award so special and also so humbling,” Miner said. “It’s knowing the work I do and the work we do collectively doesn’t go unnoticed.”

Superintendent Patricia Kinsella said Miner, in just her fourth year of teaching, has truly grown and become “a respected member of the community” who “goes out of her way to work with kids.”

Her approach, Miner said, is based on the fact that students have unique personalities and experiences, which leads to her emphasis on letting the kids take the reins on their learning.

“A lot of hands-on learning, student-led activities because I want them to have ownership and stake in their own education. … It’s going to look different for each kid,” Miner said. “They can find something they’re passionate about in life, even if it’s not about reading.”

In encouraging her students to take control of their education, Miner said she is building relationships with her students, which is the most rewarding part of her job. She noted her very first freshmen class is graduating this year and it’s been wonderful to see them grow up.

“I consider it such a privilege to witness part of their journey. … I am so incredibly proud of all my kids and I always look forward to seeing what they do next,” she said, adding she is hopeful they cherish the time they shared. “It’s OK if you don’t remember every line of ‘Romeo and Juliet.’ … I just hope you remember that you were always welcome and wanted in the space we as a class created.”

Chrissy Huntley

Huntley was honored Wednesday morning at Whately Elementary School for her continued work in guiding the minds of Union 38’s youngest learners.

“It was a big surprise this morning,” Huntley said. “It’s very humbling. It’s wonderful my colleagues nominated me, but I feel there are many of us out there that go unrecognized and I’d be remiss to not say that.”

Over the course of 14 years at Union 38 and 25 years total in education, Huntley said teaching pre-K is her passion because it’s a chance to help youngsters kickstart their education. Working with 4-year-olds means “no two days are the same” and that excitement also brings her back every day.

“This is my absolute favorite age to work with,” she said. “I feel like I have an opportunity to really get their best foot forward. … It’s an opportunity to get them in there and excited to learn.”

She said her teaching philosophy is about making connections with students and their families — especially because dropping your kid off for pre-K can be a nerve-wracking experience for parents and guardians — and ensuring kids are heard because, despite their young age, their perspective is important.

“They have a lot of thoughts and feelings. ... I want to make sure they are seen for that. … I will always be an advocate for the kids,” Huntley said. “It’s really important for me that they understand their ability to help other people. One thing they say or do could make a difference in somebody’s life and that’s what I hope to instill in them.”

Huntley said she hopes the connections she forges with families and students, especially in such a small community, will last a lifetime, and the joy she gets from seeing a child blossom in front of her eyes is unmatched.

“Making those connections is just so important,” Huntley said. “Sometimes kids do something that just blows me away. … Kids that maybe were having trouble with friendships or being in the classroom are now smiling and being engaged.”

Polly Wozny

Rounding out the week’s honorees, Wozny was surprised by Frontier Superintdent Darius Modestow, Principal George Lanides and Director of Education Sarah Mitchell on Wednesday afternoon while her students were taking a quiz.

“It’s a great honor, and why it’s a great honor is because I’m nominated by my colleagues,” Wozny said. “My colleagues are very important to me. … I have learned so many things from them.”

A chemist before taking on the eighth grade math teaching role nearly two decades ago, Wozny said teaching is a passion that grew out of tutoring a family friend 25 years ago. The experience inspired her to leave the beakers and Erlenmeyer flasks behind and share the wonders of math. As much as the reputation of mathematics precedes it, Wozny said it really comes down to instilling a growth mindset in kids and building their confidence up.

“With the subjects I teach and the students I teach, it’s getting them to understand they can be amazing,” Wozny said. “My belief is anyone can do math, if one, you believe you can do it, and two, you find the right person (to teach). … My biggest thing is being a cheerleader.”

Part of being a cheerleader is having an open line of communication with parents — she said she sends emails to families at the beginning of the year to get to know them and their kids — and helping students break down negative mindsets.

“You have to believe in your students, especially when they’re not believing in themselves,” Wozny said. “Where I see the most success is when I can finally get them to believe in themselves and believe they can do it. … I have open and honest conversations with my kids — I keep it real.”

Like Miner, Wozny said her work is about making students comfortable in class. She said her goal is to try to get a smile out of her students, even if it’s not directly related to the numbers on the paper in front of them.

“‘You smiled in math class,’” Wozny recalled as her favorite phrase to break out on a pupil who starts to open up, adding that it becomes an infectious positive mindset among students.

When asked her favorite part about teaching, Wozny said it’s all about the kids.

“Seeing them shine, I don’t even know how to explain it,” she said with joy evident in her voice. “I absolutely love what I do.”

Grinspoon award winners will be honored at a banquet at the Log Cabin in Holyoke on April 26. Recipients of the award will receive an engraved plaque and a $250 check, as well as tuition incentives offered by seven colleges in western Massachusetts.

Chris Larabee can be reached at clarabee@recorder.com or 413-930-4081.

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