C.R. Weeks Elementary UPK teacher Jennifer Bennett was one of four finalists in New York State for the Helen Bach Moss Memorial Better Beginnings Award. The award honors teachers “who are gifted in finding and nurturing the strengths of each student and fostering trusting relationships among pupils, parents, teachers, and administrators.”

According to the New York State Education Department, the award recognizes early childhood education as the most effective investment for long-term educational success.

“I love my job. I knew from a young age that I wanted to be a teacher. I spent my time pretending I was a teacher when I was playing as a little girl. I brought my ‘teaching bag’ along with me when I was babysitting. I can’t help it. It’s the way I am that I fall in love with students and care deeply about their families, so I build a bridge from home to school,” said Mrs. Bennett.

“She is the absolute perfect role model for our youngest learners because all her interactions are so kind and loving. You can see in her face how much she loves working with students every day. She makes such wonderful connections with all our students and their families. It’s the perfect start to their educational journey,” said C.R. Weeks Elementary principal Kristin Beriman.

Students, parents, other educators, and local community members needed to write letters of support for an educator to earn a nomination for the award.

“What’s very humbling to me is that administrators and community members had to write letters of recommendation. People from BOCES are emailing me saying they wrote letters, people who mentored me. I’m really overwhelmed by this,” said Mrs. Bennett.

Bennett, a 15-year veteran of the Windsor CSD, won $1,000 and a plaque for being one of four finalists in the state for the award, which ultimately went to Meaghan Boyle of Putnam Valley Elementary School.

“I feel like this award goes to everyone who has been a part of my growth – teachers, colleagues, the district that puts an emphasis on UPK. When I see how the cafeteria workers and bus drivers interact with children, it’s a sign of the importance everyone in the district puts on caring for children,” said Bennett.