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Access, Equity and Community Engagement Services

Access, Equity and Community Engagement Services

Helen Bach Moss Memorial Better Beginnings Award

2023 Better Beginnings Final Award Year

Congratulations!

 

Meaghan Boyle

Putnam Valley Elementary School

 

Decorative image of an apple with the description "A Teacher... Takes a Hand, Opens a Mind, Touches a Heart"

The award, which is sponsored by the Board of Regents, honors the life and career of Helen Bach Moss, a young New York State educator who passed away in 1988. Mrs. Moss touched the lives of many people; her career was distinguished by a genuine respect and love for children. She was ever caring toward students and their parents and acted as a worthy role model in all of her endeavors. Her family and friends petitioned the Board of Regents to establish a memorial fund that would go annually to other elementary teachers exhibiting these qualities and provide an endowment to award a cash stipend of $5,000 to an elementary teacher with an additional $1,000 for the teacher’s school district. This award recognizes early childhood education as the most effective investment for long-term educational success.

The simple nomination process for the Better Beginnings Award involves the preparation of statements of support from students, parents, other educators, and the local community. Nominees should be current teachers who are skilled at engaging young minds and developing nurturing relationships with elementary school students.

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Honors the life and career of Helen Bach Moss, a young New York State educator

who passed away in 1988.

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Purpose

The purpose of the award, which celebrates the life and career of Helen Bach Moss, is to recognize elementary teachers who are gifted in finding and nurturing the strengths of each student and fostering trusting relationships among pupils, parents, teachers, and administrators.

Eligibility

To be eligible, the nominee must be currently teaching at the elementary level (PreK-6) at a public or private school, and be appropriately credentialed in New York State.

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The spirit of the award is that better beginnings make stronger completions.

________________________________________________________________________

This award recognizes early childhood education as the most effective investment

for long-term success.

________________________________________________________________________

Recognizes teachers who are skilled at engaging young minds and

developing nurturing relationships with elementary school students.

_______________________________________________________________________

Application

 2023 Better Beginnings Award

 

Nominations are closed

Questions may be emailed to:

Elena.bruno@nysed.gov

Subject: BBA Application

Better Beginnings Award Recipient

Congratulations to the 2023 Better Beginnings Awardee! Meaghan Boyle Putnam Valley Elementary School

 The 2023 Better Beginnings Award is the final award from this endowment closing 32 years of awarding early elementary teachers in honor of Helen Bach Moss. Thank you to Dr. Michael Moss and family for supporting the teaching profession. 

Congratulations to Meaghan Boyle the 2023 Better Beginnings Award recipient! 

Meghan is pictured with Laura-Eve Moss, David Moss, Commissioner Rosa, Allen Moss, Dr. Michael Moss, Regent Wills, Dr. Natalie Doherty, Dr. Margaret Podesta, Chancellor Young.

Meagan  is a Kindergarten Special Education teacher at Putnam Valley Elementary School in Putnam Valley,  NY in the Putnam Valley Central School District .

 

Congratulations to the 2023 Better Beginnings Award Finalists:

Laura McNally Preschool teacher, Monroe 2 Orleans BOCES, Rochester, NY

Jennifer Bennett, PreK teacher, C.R. Weeks Elementary School,  Windsor, NY

Christa Stephens,  Kindergarten teacher, Sauquoit  Valley Elementary School, Sauquoit, NY

Contact Information

Elena Bruno
Office of Higher Education
(518) 486- 2978
Elena.Bruno@nysed.gov