SOUTHWICK — There was nothing subtle about how Southwick-Tolland-Granville Regional School District Superintendent Jennifer Willard announced the district’s 2023 Pioneer Valley Excellence in Teaching Award recipients.

 In late February, Willard, along with building administrators and the Southwick Regional School Marching Band, made surprise visits to two teachers’ classrooms to share the good news.

“I heard the band coming down the hallway, but I thought they were going to one of the neighboring classrooms,” recalled Anna Hitchcock, who teaches high school math. “The band did an incredible job setting the stage for excitement. I didn’t realize the parade was for me until I saw my family. It was an amazing surprise.”

Kerri Wheeler, a first-grade teacher at the Woodland School, tried ignoring the hallway noise at first. Then she realized what was happening.

“As soon as I let it sink in, my heart started pounding. When the superintendent and my husband walked in, I had tears,” she said.

The veteran Southwick teachers – Hitchcock has taught at the high school for 11 years, while Wheeler has been at Woodland for 20 years – are both Westfield residents. They were selected from among 17 district teachers nominated for the esteemed annual award.

Hitchcock and Wheeler will receive their awards at a gala celebration the evening of May 5 at the Log Cabin in Holyoke. The celebration will formally recognize them for their outstanding teaching as well as their impact on students, colleagues and schools.

This is the 20th year the Irene E. and George A. Davis Foundation and the Harold Grinspoon Charitable Foundation has recognized teachers with this award to motivate teachers at all career stages to aspire to excel in the classroom. During the past two decades, more than 1,000 teachers from Franklin, Hampshire and Hampden counties have been honored.

Hitchcock and Wheeler, along with all other awardees, will receive $250 for personal use, an engraved plaque, three-month memberships at six regional YMCAs and the Jewish Community Center, a membership in WGBY public television and access to thousands of digital education resources. Additionally, they will receive tuition incentives and scholarships offered by seven major colleges and universities in the region.

“This award is significant to me because excellent teachers helped me when I moved to the United States from Poland in 2001,” said Hitchcock, who taught at St. Mary’s High School for five years before coming to Southwick. “I’m grateful for the opportunity to give back and to try my best to be an excellent teacher to my students.”

Hitchcock added that she didn’t plan to make teaching her career and had considered several different careers until she needed a part-time job and St. Mary’s needed a part-time teacher.

“Throughout my teaching years I’ve met amazing people who’ve mentored me, inspired me and supported me to become the teacher I am today. Most important, l found a love for teaching. Year after year I’ve had the honor to meet and to teach wonderful students.”  

Hitchcock, who also volunteers as a ski coach at her school, said she is very passionate about teaching math and enjoys working with her students.

“I’m excited to go to work every day,” she said. “I’m also fortunate to work in such a supportive school district.”

Her proudest moments as a teacher always relate to watching her students succeed – whether it’s in the classroom, getting into their dream college, or overcoming personal challenges and struggles.

“There are many challenges in schools and classrooms that teachers face every day, but those challenges create opportunities to become a better teacher, “she said.

Willard described Hitchcock as an “amazing math teacher” who makes connections with all levels of learners.

“Anna is multilingual and creates a safe space for our students to grow their math skills,” the superintendent said. “She makes herself available during lunches and after school if a student needs extra help beyond the classroom.”

Wheeler, who describes herself as a “classic young kiddo who always wanted to be a teacher,” is the daughter of two former teachers. She taught in Springfield for three years before she began teaching at Woodland. She said being selected for the award is an honor: “It acknowledges all the hard work that I do, both in and out of the classroom.”

Over the years, Wheeler has taken a leadership role at her school, involving herself in meetings and committees to stay informed and to provide her insights. She works with administrators to improve the school experience for students.

“I’ve always been flexible and open to new initiatives, new curriculum, and I try to be a mentor to our newer staff. Teaching is a very personal career since we spend all day creating relationships with our students.”

She said the award recognizes those relationships as well as the difference she’s made during her career in Southwick, and “that’s very special to me.”

Wheeler said she feels “so lucky” to get a new group of kids “to love” each year.

“My first graders have such a love for learning new things – it inspires me every day. The growth I see from September to June is tremendous,” she added.

An ongoing challenge in working with six- and seven-year-olds, she said is the “juggling act” to meet their academic and social-emotional needs.

“We can’t talk about educating today’s youth without also addressing their social-emotional needs,” she said.

Willard said Wheeler, a member of the district’s literacy team, has consistently been a strong advocate and leader for her school community.

“Kerri also builds connections with all her students,” Willard said. “She learns their likes and dislikes and learns their motivators to keep them engaged in the school day.”

Both teachers will use the award money to help their students. Hitchcock plans to use some for student needs in her classroom, and some for the math team for which she serves as a co-advisor. Wheeler plans to purchase organizational supplies for her classroom, such as new book bins, new supply kits, and new bulletin board décor.