For Immediate Release

Wednesday, April 17, 2019

Media Contact: John Guilfoil
Phone: 617-993-0003
Email: john@jgpr.net

Two Oyster River Teachers Recognized for Commitment to Education, Student Success

DURHAM – Superintendent James Morse is pleased to share that an Oyster River Cooperative School District educator has been awarded the Fitzwater Medallion for Contributions to the Public Discourse, and a second is a semifinalist to be the New Hampshire Teacher of the Year.

Oyster River Cooperative High School English teacher Shawn Kelly is the winner of the Fitzwater Medallion for Contributions to the Public Discourse, an award given annually at Franklin Pierce University to a journalism teacher to recognize his or her efforts to support student media.

The award recognizes Kelly’s work with students on “Mouth of the River,” the Oyster River High School student magazine.

“Shawn’s work with students through the magazine is remarkable, and has allowed students to get their first taste of public discourse,” Superintendent Morse said. “It’s great to see him recognized for this work with such an honor.”

Kelly will be recognized among other 2019 Fitzwater Honors recipients at the Spagnuolo Hall at the Rindge Campus at Franklin Pierce University on Thursday, April 18.

Another Oyster River High School educator, French teacher Barbara Milliken, is a semifinalist to be New Hampshire Teacher of the year.

Finalists for the honor will be announced in June, after educators and their colleagues, students and parents, and supervisors are interviewed and site visits are performed to the their schools. The 2020 New Hampshire Teacher of the Year will be announced in September.

“New Hampshire Teacher of the Year is a a significant honor, and to be a semifinalist speaks volumes about Barbara’s dedication to the field of education,” Superintendent Morse said. “We are fortunate to have such exemplary educators here at Oyster River, who are so dedicated to their classrooms and students.”

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