MESPA PRESIDENT'S AWARD

This award is presented to a person or persons who have given dedicated service to the Association in any given year. Recipients are chosen by the MESPA President who presents the award at the annual MESPA Spring Conference.

The 2008 President's Award was given to Kenneth Chapman for his dedicated service to MESPA..

MESPA AWARD OF DISTINCTION

The MESPA Award of Distinction was developed in 1992.

It is an award given to a program, a project, or an individual, who has furthered the advancement of quality education in the Commonwealth.

The Award is an expression of appreciation by the Association to those who have given in unique ways to the advancement of quality education.

MESPA LEADERSHIP AWARD

This award is given to the outgoing President of the Association in recognition of his or her leadership efforts throughout the year. A plaque and a check for $500 are presented at the annual Spring Conference. The money may be used in the President's school for whatever purpose he or she deems appropriate.

RISO of Boston underwrites this award.

The 2008 MESPA Leadership Award went to Deborah Dancy and was presented by Robert Novelli, of RISO Boston.

THOMAS C. PASSIOS OUTSTANDING PRINCIPAL AWARD

The Thomas C. Passios Outstanding Principal Award was established in 1979 to honor the memory of an outstanding school leader. The award is presented annually at the MESPA Spring Conference by the Commissioner of Education to an elementary and middle-level principal who has demonstrated clear leadership in developing successful programs for children and teachers, exceptional dedication to education, outstanding professionalism and an unselfish attitude toward helping others.

The Passios Award is sponsored jointly by MESPA, The Massachusetts Department of Education and the Fitchburg State College Alumni Association. The selection committee, which includes representatives from the three organizations, reviews nominations that include letters of testimony from parents, teachers, civic leaders, fellow principals, superintendents and others familiar with the nominees. Each year three or more finalists are selected and interviewed before the final recipients are chosen.

Once chosen to represent the principals of Massachusetts, the recipients also participate in the National Distinguished Principal Program which was established in 1984 and is co-sponsored by the United States Department of Education and the National Association of Elementary School Principals (NAESP). Over sixty participants, selected from each state, the District of Columbia, and private, parochial and overseas schools, are honored each October in ceremonies held in Washington, D.C.

Recipient for 2008: Leslie Clark-Yvon

Recipient for 2007: Rosalie Tashjian

Recipient for 2006: Nancy Gagliardi

Recipient for 2005: Robin Welch

Recipient for 2004: Mary L. Russo

Recipient for 2003: John Ciesluk

Recipient for 2002: Elizabeth Neale

Past Recipients