The Harold Grinspoon Charitable Foundation Celebrates 20th Annual Teachers Awards

AGAWAM, MA — 2023 marks the 20th Anniversary of the Excellence in Teaching Awards for educators in Western Massachusetts. The award, given by the Harold Grinspoon Charitable Foundation (HGCF) in partnership with the Irene E. and George A. Davis Foundation, seeks to motivate teachers at all stages of their careers to aspire to excellence. More than 2,700 teachers from Franklin, Hampshire, and Hampden counties have been recognized since the program began in 2003.

All awardees receive $250 for personal use, an engraved plaque, three-month memberships at one of six regional YMCAs and the Jewish Community Center, and a membership with WGBY public television that gives access to thousands of digital education resources.

“Teachers are the essence of our educational system,” says HGCF founder Harold Grinspoon. “We put so much trust and responsibility on them with our very precious children. This program is a small way to recognize what all of our outstanding teachers are doing. I am so excited and privileged to share the 20th Anniversary milestone of the Excellence in Teaching Awards with all our teachers and communities.”

Over two decades, the award has gone to Pioneer Valley teachers from 49 Hampden, Hampshire & Franklin County districts. Winners are celebrated at three festive awards banquets held each spring at the Log Cabin in Holyoke. Seven universities provide course vouchers, tuition credits, and scholarships to winners. The colleges include Elms College, Mount Holyoke College, Baypath University, Western New England University, Springfield College, Westfield State University, and The University of Massachusetts.

The HGCF relies on the power of partnerships to carry its mission forward. Besides its longstanding alliance with the Irene E. and George A. Davis Foundation, community sponsors of the Excellence in Teaching award include Country Bank, American International College, Meyers Brothers Kalicka, and Arrha Credit Union.

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