cess to many math competitions in the region, and her students are at the top of the winner list. She fosters creative and independent thinking, encourages non-standard solutions; she is always open to dialog with her students. Her classes are well structured and help her students learn self-organization. I believe that all the above describes an exemplary math teacher, and Mrs. Sankar should be commended for her enthusiasm and dedication to teaching math.
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From Amy Dobski, parent of current student:
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Her breadth of knowledge is amazing. That she choose to use this knowledge to broaden the minds of these young adults at World Academy is admirable. Her rapport with their students is inspiring. She has excellent communication and organizational skills with parents.
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From Devlin Pena, parent of current student:
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My son is a new student to the school. Mrs. Sankar has made his transition into this new environment and curriculum smooth and easier. She takes her time explaining her lessons and my son comes home confident he’s mastering the subject due to her attention to detail and patience with each child. She is an amazing teacher who deserves this award.
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14 www.parentingnh.com | DECEMBER 2018
Michelina (Lena) Madden New Durham Elementary School Grade 3
Lena Madden has taught for nearly 32 years, the last two at New Durham Elementary School. She was nominated twice for Massachusetts Teacher of the Year during her 30-year tenure in Topsfield. Lena and her husband moved to New Hampshire to be closer to their five grandchildren. She spends free time at the hockey rink watching them play and enjoys designing colorful quilts. Lena Madden says:
I am a third grade teacher this year, but had the privilege of having Stefanie’s son Timothy [student of nominator] last year in second grade and in third grade this year. Our class mantra is, “It’s not a race but a journey.” We focus on the process of how we learn and making connections to the real world. Nominator: Stefanie King, parent of current student
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I speak for all of the students, parents of students and colleagues of Mrs. Madden when I write that she is the best of the best. As a retired master teacher from Massachusetts, Mrs. Madden had been substitute teaching in our district when adminis-
tration took notice of her exceptional skill and pulled her out of retirement to educate the largest and most challenging class New Durham had. Tenaciously, Mrs. Madden held the academic and behavioral bar high for all of her second-graders while attending to their unique differences and inspiring them with genuine love. Whenever I dropped by her classroom, students were engaged in their learning, and colleagues would whisper ‘she’s amazing’ as they walked past. Regardless of what her students’ needs were, it was evident that Mrs. Madden responded to all of them attentively, personalized learning, nurtured their emotional growth, and cultivated curiosity, creativity and good citizenship. Regardless of who you ask in our little town, they will tell you that Mrs. Madden has a gift; she has made a profound difference here. On a personal note, she has impacted our family immeasurably. When my husband passed away suddenly this past spring, Mrs. Madden wrapped our older son with unconditional support as he grieved. Our son had a long history of recalcitrant behavior, but Mrs. Madden, along with her whole class of students, lovingly walked him through the darkest and most challenging part of his young life. Mrs. Madden went above and beyond the call of duty. She corresponded with me constantly by phone and email, she cooked him his favorite meal and she sent him letters throughout the summer so he was excited to go back to school. He is lucky to have been placed in her class again as a third grader, and he is positively thriving — academically, behaviorally, socially and emotionally — under Mrs. Madden’s ongoing love and guidance. As a widow, I simply cannot convey the gratitude I feel for Mrs. Madden. In the wake of our loss, to see our son who had struggled for years confidently succeeding is an ineffably priceless gift. To see all of her students succeeding is a boon to our entire community. New Durham is privileged to have a whole faculty of incredible educators and staff who never cease to rally for the children of our community. Among that cluster of blindingly bright and beautiful stars, Mrs. Madden shines as one of New Hampshire’s Top Teachers.
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