Honoring our hero teachers
Stars touting News awards
SCHOOL-LOVING stars from television, sports and music are calling on New Yorkers to nominate their beloved teachers, principals and other inspiring educators for the Daily News Hometown Heroes in Education awards.
The annual awards program pays tribute to the unsung heroes who work with the city’s 1.1 million school students but rarely receive the recognition they deserve.
“I still remember the names of the great teachers I had 30 years ago. And I remember what made them great. It usually started with the feeling that it wasn’t just a job to them — it was a passion,” said NY1 anchor Pat Kiernan. “We could go to any school in the city and find stories about exceptional teachers. But our job as judges has been to find stories that stand out above the rest,” added Kiernan, a former judge and host of the awards ceremony. “The teachers I’ve been most impressed with are the ones who have a combination of fresh approaches for a new situation and time-proven techniques for challenges they’ve seen before,” he said. The News holds the awards in partnership with the city Department of Education, the United Federation of Teachers and the Council of School Supervisors and Administrators. In the coming weeks, the pages of The News will feature profiles of some of the nominees.
Mets catcher Travis d’Arnaud said teachers play a vital role in the city and society.
“Teachers are heroes. They should be considered heroes because they mold the minds of the next generation,” said d’Arnaud, whose mother is a teacher. “They influence kids way beyond the classroom.”
Winners will be honored at a breakfast in October. A panel of judges will select the honorees.
Nominations for the contest can be sent by email, mail or fax. The event is open to employees at New York City public, private and parochial schools.
“Our educators build and shape the foundation of a more empowered positive and educated future,” said Darryl McDaniels, DMC of the legendary hip-hop pioneers Run-DMC and a Queens native.
“They have all of our future leaders and beautiful minds to energize, excite and encourage,” added McDaniels, a longtime supporter of the Hometown Heroes awards.
“Not only do we have to celebrate and support our educators, but we must remove all individuals who create obstacles preventing our children from receiving the resources for education that every child deserves, regardless of their physical, social or financial situation,” McDaniels said.