2020 Murray Award Winners

Niskayuna Community Foundation Surprises Two Teachers
With the Murray Award for Excellence in Education
 
Niskayuna, NY.  The Niskayuna Community Foundation, surprised two Niskayuna High School teachers with the 17th annual Murray Award for Excellence in Education.  The awards were presented to Jessica Stanton, a physical education teacher and Sherra Johnson, a chemistry teacher.  

Due to COVID-19, teachers have been hosting online meetings with their students.  In order to surprise Coach Stanton and Ms. Johnson, a crowd of parents, teachers, administrators, and Foundation members snuck into each of their online classrooms. The selection committee later met Coach Stanton and Ms. Johnson at Niskayuna High School with balloons and plaques. Each teacher will receive $2,500 towards her professional development. 

This annual award was created in 2004 by Kathy Murray Crowe and Jeanne Murray Veasey, whose parents, Edwards and Sally Murray were involved in the formation of the Niskayuna High School. They believed that providing the finest education required hiring the most creative, driven, and inspirational teachers. The award is also given in memory of Jeanne Murray Veasey, who has since passed away.
 
A committee representing students, parents and peers chose the recipients and the Niskayuna Community Foundation facilitated the selection process and award presentation. Criteria included outstanding classroom practices as well as growth potential and a school presence that inspires and positively impacts students, colleagues and the community. This year’s discussions also focused on how teachers have gone above and beyond to care for their students during COVID-19 and at home learning.
 
At the request of the Murray family, this award is not competitive, but is intended to be an annual opportunity to select educators who represent the overall excellence of the high school staff and educational program.
 
Jessica Stanton is a physical education teacher who provides shared experiences for students with and without disabilities.  Through Unified Basketball and Bowling, All-Star Athletes, Adaptive PE, and Nisky Friends, Coach Stanton promotes loving awareness and appreciation of the gifts each student possesses.  On the playing field, each youth is an athlete making friendships and sharing laughter through the universal language of sports.  During Covid-19, Coach Stanton organized Google Meets for Nisky Friends, where students came together to relax, stay positive, and have fun especially during the lively joke sessions. 
 
Sherra Johnson is a chemistry teacher who always finds ways to help others.  In the classroom, Ms. Johnson continually hones her craft, tunes into the various learning styles of her students, and takes care to help each one succeed.  Ms. Johnson creates learning videos, packets of notes, and other materials for those who are out sick or need extra assistance.  Students flock to her classroom to hang out, relax, and eat lunch.   During COVID-19, Ms. Johnson continued creating teaching videos for the entire chemistry department and stayed in touch with students to ensure their physical and emotional well-being.