Teacher receives international award
DANBURY — The head of the Danbury High School English Department has received the Master Teacher of Honor Award from Kappa Delta Pi, International Honor Society in Education.
English teacher Nicole Martone was recognized for her professional development, leadership, community service and “exceptional contributions” to education, according to the organization.
“Nicole’s experience, empathy, and attention to detail make her a highly effective department chair who has improved the atmosphere of the department,” fellow English teacher Greg Euchner said. “Her ability to recognize best practices and allow them to flourish has made a difference that is felt by teachers and students alike.”
Kappa Delta Pi has awarded only 16 master teacher distinctions since the award was created in 2011 to recognize distinguished teachers — from kindergarten to university faculty — who have a master’s degree and at least 15 years of professional experience, according to the organization.
Developing a supportive educational climate is a major aspect of Martone’s philosophy of education, she said.
She aims to “support students’ cognitive, social-emotional and physical needs by maintaining a welcoming and safe environment for all, using data to support teaching, learning, and leading and promoting student engagement,” she said.
Martone serves on several School Safety and Safe School Climate/Positive Behavioral Interventions and Support committees. She also is part of the School Leadership Team at DHS, which works on class curricula, including the recent revisions to the English curriculum for all four high school grades.
The National Council of Teachers of English also recognized her as an Emerging Leaders Fellow in 2016.
“She has pioneered a new approach to share and recognize classroom strategies so that the benefits of an innovative method discovered by one teacher radiated out to the whole department,” Euchner said.
Martone is currently a doctoral student at Lesley University and already has earned a sixth-year diploma and master’s degree from Quinnipiac University after a bachelor’s degree from Southern Connecticut State University.